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    • Dodgers honor star before World Series
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    Dodgers honor star before World Series

    Idris Bevan Posted on

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    LOS ANGELES – There was a poignant ceremony for the late Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela before Game 1 of the World Series, with the flag at half-staff, the video board with Valenzuela highlights, a musical tribute and a moment of silence.

    Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager, who played on the Dodgers World Series championship teams in 1988 and 1981, respectively, wore Valenzuela jerseys on the mound during the ceremonial first pitch. But instead of throwing the pitch, they merely placed the ball on the pitcher’s mound while Valenzuela’s wife, Linda, and their four children wept quietly.

    “I think if there are two people who have probably had the most impact on this organization,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “you would probably say Jackie Robinson and Fernando Valenzuela. No disrespect to anyone else, but when it comes to the current fan base, a lot of people are here supporting the Dodgers south of the border because of Fernando.

    “Of course that was when I was younger, very young, but his legacy lives on. He was a friend of mine. And so it’s sad for me and his family not to see him up in the (broadcast) booth or say hello.

    “But Fernando was a gentleman, a great dodger and what a humble man.”

    Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who also played for the Dodgers, said Valenzuela’s death hit his Mexican-American family hard. They had met Valenzuela when Verdugo played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

    “He obviously meant a lot to our family with his Mexican heritage and ties to that. Being with him on the Dodgers and Team Mexico meant we were able to spend a lot of time together. We had several conversations, not only about baseball but also about life. These are things where he impacted my family’s life, my mother’s life, my father’s life, and my life.

    “We’re just sad about it, but you know, at the end of the day we want to celebrate it and bring up all the positive aspects that he brought to the community.”

    Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said he will cherish his memories of Valenzuela growing up in San Diego and admiring the Dodgers star.

    “Fernando has always been fantastic to me,” Clark said. “Growing up in San Diego, I obviously had the opportunity to watch him quite a bit and as a player I had the opportunity to meet and talk to him as a former player. I’m grateful for that. “It was hard to see him die.”

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    Idris Bevan
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