For 30 years, Valenzuelas number has been functionally retired. Valenzuela won each start and went the distance every time, including five shutouts, four double-digit strikeout outings and a 0.50 ERA. His next chance will be in three years when he can be considered by the Hall of Fames Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee. Fernandomania is a phenomenon not only in the sports world, but in all of society.". There will be many other fun and exciting elements planned for the entire weekend which will be announced in the coming weeks. Which isnt to say Selig isnt deserving. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Valenzuela played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons, from 1980 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997. Astros embrace, enjoy their moment Fernando turned so many people from Mexico, Central America, South America into fans., Isabelle Minasian was the digital content specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Valenzuela could receive the Buck ONeil Award, which the Hall of Fame presents once every three or more years to an individual whose extraordinary efforts enhanced baseballs positive impact on society, broadened the games appeal, and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by ONeil.. Valenzuela only lasted two years on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot before being dropped for lack of votes, meaning he seemingly never had a chance to add his No. Dodgers Related: Tony Gonsolin Still Battling Through Shoulder Issue. But fan sentiment made it obvious Valenzuela needed to be an exception to that rule, he said. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. It was a wonderful way to bring two countries together., A baseball signed by Fernando Valenzuela, from Game 1 of La Primera Serie in Mexico in 1996. Why Fernando Valenzuela Should Be In Baseball Hall Of Fame Los Angeles Times . Maybe new management will change this policy. He was named NL Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie player to win the Cy Young Award (given to the best pitcher in each league), while leading the Dodgers to the World Series title. Its hard to envision a player having a greater impact on a fan base then the one Fernando has had.. Its the best feeling. If things had turned out differently, if I didn't do my job, we don't know if there would have been more opportunities, no? Valenzuela said. He will be shown on the videoboard throughout the weekend as he works his job with the Dodgers Spanish-language broadcast team. Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Joe DiMaggio, even Babe Ruth did not. Plaschke has appeared in a movie (Ali), a dramatic HBO series (Luck) and, in a crowning cultural moment he still does not quite understand, his name can be found in a rap song Females Welcome by Asher Roth. With the exception of the retirement of infielder Jim Gilliams No. Fernando Valenzuela made his debut with the Dodgers late in 1980. He was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball in 2019 and became a naturalized citizen of the Unites States in 2015. But, anyone else? The quiet truth will, at last, become loudly evident. The Mexican left-hander almost single-handedly changed the Dodger fan base in this timeframe and in the coming years, and he would go on to claim the NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award and a World Championship in his first full season. But his has been compared to a Horatio Alger story, or Cinderella. Jarrn has often remarked on their loyalty. This year, the Dodgers celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fernandomania, a magical rookie season that meant so much to many. The 1981 season came to a temporary close on June 12, due to a players strike which lasted through July 31, but neither Valenzuela nor the hordes of Fernandomania fanatics were flustered by the stoppage. As good as Valenzuela was to start the 1981 season, the left-hander was nearly as dominant to begin his career in '80 as a 19-year-old, as he didn't allow an earned run in 10 appearances. They could have done this several years ago. If there is any true honor is should be in a player being able to wear a past players number. Valenzuela was a trailblazer for Latin American players and his induction was a watershed moment for the sport. So, of course #34 should be retired. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Report: Gavin Stone will debut Wednesday for Dodgers. When the team unveiled a statue of Sandy Koufax last summer, the questions only intensified. He kept wearing it for the Dodgers, when he won Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award, through six All-Star Games, while pitching a no-hitter, and as a part of two World Series winners, all while captivating a fanbase as the Dodgers biggest-ever star from Mexico. It is fantastic. Valenzuela began his professional baseball career at the age of 17 with the Guanajuato Tuzos, going 5-6 with a 2.23 ERA. But, hey, the 50-year anniversary of Fernandomania is only a decade away. The main thing was the constant clamor I got from fans. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. . In a long-awaited move that will rock Chavez Ravine at its Fernandomania roots, the Dodgers announced Saturday that they are retiring Valenzuela's No. Ive said it before, and I say it in measured tones, but the 1981 season and Fernandomania bordered on a religious experience, recalled longtime Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully. Maybe the Dodgers will come to their senses by then. If somebody is asking for that number, no problem.. Your email address will not be published. The Dodgers announced Saturday they will be retiring Valenzuelas No. They brought him up to California, where he joined the Lodi Dodgers, their High-A affiliate. "People in Mexico, Central America and South America became fans of the Dodgers. But the Dodgers need to make it official, and give Fernando Valenzuela the pomp and circumstance he richly deserves. Valenzuela was signed in 1979 for $120,000. And now, finally, officially, gloriously, it will live forever with Fernando Valenzuela. The Hall of Stats was built by Adam Darowski, Jeffrey Chupp, and Michael Berkowitz.Follow the Hall of Stats on Twitter or Facebook.The Hall of Stats is open sourced on GitHub.All data is also open and available as a free download. We dont have anything on the drawing board right now. For Mexicans and Mexican Americans during a time when Los Angeles was undergoing great ethnic upheaval, Valenzuela became a source of pride. While he played for six MLB teams, his longest tenure was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 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Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Episode 1 | Everybody wants to have a hero, Episode 2 | How Mike Brito discovered Fernando Valenzuela, Episode 3 | Why the Dodgers are haunted by Chavez Ravine ghosts, Fernando Valenzuelas number retirement celebrated by Jaime Jarrn and Julio Uras, Hernndez: Fernando Valenzuelas lasting impact on baseball makes him worthy of Hall of Fame, Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies: How to watch, start times and betting odds, Dodgers dont need the long ball to finish sweep of Cardinals. Even though Valenzuela has been retired for 26 years, he has been prevented from participating in the Dodgers greatest tradition because of, well, the tradition. Before refuting the premise by citing his career numbers or the brevity of his peak, consider this: Bud Selig, former MLB commissioner, is a Hall of Famer. Kasten broke the news to Valenzuela earlier this week, appropriately on the pitchers mound at Dodger Stadium. It is an appropriate honor for arguably. I asked about this years ago in regards to Don Newcombes 36. Valenzuela deserves a place alongside him. Even though many never saw him play, VALENZUELA is rivaled by only KERSHAW and KOUFAX., "He made a huge impact not only on Los Angeles and the Dodgers, but a huge impact on all of Major League Baseball."