The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series title since 2020, and eighth in franchise history, and did it in dramatic fashion, erasing a big lead to defeat the New York Yankees on the road in Game 5.
The Dodgers returned home to hold a World Series celebration parade, where fans paid tribute to former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away just prior to the 2024 World Series starting.
Dodgers fans sang “Happy Birthday” on what would have been the legend’s 64th birthday.
Dodgers fans sing happy birthday for Fernando Valenzuela on what would have been his 64th birthday 💙 pic.twitter.com/PzGhQyx75g
Valenzuela came into the league with the Dodgers in 1980 and played 11 seasons with them.
The Mexico-born pitcher became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win both the Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young Award in the same season in 1981.
That season, Valenzuela started 25 games and had a 13-7 record with a 2.48 earned run average and 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings pitched.
His Cy Young season included 11 complete games and eight shutouts.
Valenzuela is often recognized for spreading Major League Baseball throughout Mexico and drawing new fans to the game.
He died on Oct. 22, shortly before his 64th birthday, which would have been Nov. 1.
Valenzuela played 17 MLB seasons before retiring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997 and becoming a Dodgers broadcaster.