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A public funeral Mass for Fernando Valenzuela, the popular Mexican-born pitcher, Dodgers legend and inspiration for “Fernandomania,” will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
Valenzuela died on October 22 at the age of 63 from an undisclosed illness. His death saddened Dodgers fans across Los Angeles, and Valenzuela was remembered numerous times during this year’s World Series games and at the Dodgers’ championship celebrations afterwards.
His funeral procession will begin at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a public mass with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As this event is expected to draw a large crowd, an overflow viewing area will be set up in Cathedral Square and the service will be live-streamed on the Cathedral’s website. There is no public parking available at the cathedral. Authorities are encouraging those wishing to attend the event to use public transportation or ride-hailing services.
Valenzuela, a native of the small town of Echo Huaquira in Sonora, Mexico, played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1997, including 11 seasons with the Dodgers.
His rise from humble beginnings and unique pitching style earned him a cult following that gave rise to the term “Fernandomania” during his incredible 1981 season with the Boys in Blue. In 1981, he became the first player, and still the only player, to win the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
Valenzuela is widely credited with turning L.A.’s Latino community into Dodgers superfans.
After retiring, he served as a Spanish-language radio and television commentator for the Dodgers before retiring from that position during the final week of the 2024 regular season due to health reasons.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement following Valenzuela’s death, “He was one of the most influential players in Dodgers history and belongs on Mount Rushmore, the pinnacle of franchise heroes.” mentioned in. “He energized our fan base with the 1981 Fernandomania season and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster.”
Even in death, Valenzuela had a prominent presence at this year’s World Series games, receiving a floral cross next to his retired No. 34 at Dodger Stadium. Retirement numbers are typically given to Hall of Fame players, but a special exception was made for Valenzuela in 2023 to recognize his significant contributions to the franchise.
“Fernando will always be a beloved figure in Dodgers history and a special source of pride for the millions of Latino fans he inspired,” Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. Deaf,” he said.
The team’s World Series victory parade took place on Friday, what would have been Valenzuela’s 64th birthday. On the same day, the Los Angeles City Council approved a resolution designating November 1st as “Fernando Valenzuela Day.”
“For millions of people, Fernando Valenzuela was more than just a baseball player. He was an icon who transcended the limits of dreams and hopes,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “He was the voice of the game that we hold dear in our hearts. His charisma was evident and his excellence was undeniable.”
On Sunday, a six-story mural depicting Valenzuela pitching was unveiled in Boyle Heights. This massive piece of public art was created by Robert Vargas and faces a mural of another legendary pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, that Vargas painted on 1st Avenue.
“Fernando Valenzuela meant so much to Boyle Heights and to this great city of Los Angeles. His life was a story of courage, courage, and greatness for all Latinos and people of all backgrounds in our great city of Los Angeles. He is the epitome of resilience and inspiration,” said Councilman Kevin. Mr. de Leon at the unveiling ceremony. “Fernando’s story touched all of us. He didn’t just pitch; he uplifted hearts, broke down barriers and brought this city together.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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