By james art 
Amid all the hype surrounding the Dodgers’ dramatic World Series victory, a thread of melancholy made its way into the jubilation Friday in downtown Los Angeles.
There will be thousands of fans there. And all the current Dodgers heroes. And dozens of Dodgers government officials, coaches, staff and veterans.
Missing from the scene, however: Fernando Valenzuela.
“I remember meeting Fernando when I was 8 or 9 at an Easter event at Santa Anita Park,” said Jesus Anaya of La Verne, who came to the parade with his son Lorenzo, 18. “He told me to stay in school. “
The festivities mark the 64th anniversary of the birth of legendary pitcher Dodger Valenzuela, who died on October 22.
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“It’s going to be emotional,” Dodger manager Dave Roberts said. “Fernando was my friend. I know he is smiling right now and very proud of this organization. So he will be missed. I’m sure it’s something he’d love to be a part of, but it’s going to be emotional for all of us.”
“So many family members love him and I’ve seen his highlights,” said Johnny Leon, 22, of Pomona, wearing jersey No. 34 — Valenzuela’s number — at the celebration. “I wish he could be here to see this.”
Valenzuela played 11 seasons for the Dodgers, starting in 1980, and ranks ninth on the franchise’s all-time hit list. His rookie season in 1981 sparked the “Fernandomania” phenomenon as he went 8-0 with five shutouts to start the season. He became the first and only pitcher to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season.
Valenzuela was an All-Star every year from 1981 to 1986 and was a member of the World Series championship teams with the Dodgers in 1981 and 1988. He was released by the Dodgers in 1990 and played six more seasons with five more teams before to retire.
“Fernando was the big force,” said Miguel Ramirez, 49, of Norwalk. The production executive also took a vacation to attend the parade — and brought the Dodgers flag that flies outside his house during baseball season.
“Fernando brought so many Spaniards into the game. I remember watching Fernando’s game against the As in 1988, so to be here today on his birthday is special. The Dodgers are a family.
He joined the Dodgers Spanish broadcast team in 2003. He retired from the broadcast booth in September due to health issues.
A makeshift memorial to the Dodgers great grew daily outside Dodger Stadium, where a fan with a ticket got to watch the victory parade downtown.
“His smile would say it all. I know his presence was with us all along. He loved his Dodgers, he loved baseball,” said Angelica Arteaga, CEO of Max’s Mexican Cuisine in Monrovia, where Valenzuela frequented.
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In addition to a quiet celebration of Valenzuela’s birthday on Nov. 1, Arteaga will lead a tribute to the Dodgers great on Nov. 12 at Max’s in Monrovia. His favorite table will be renumbered “34” and a mural in his honor will be unveiled. Local mayors are on hand to honor not only Valenzuela’s baseball legacy, but also the local philanthropies he supported.
“He meant so much to the Hispanic community as an inspiration,” said Robert Gonzalez, Azusa’s mayor. “It was a privilege and an honor to meet him and to have a close connection with the Azusa community,” Gonzalez said. “I’m grateful to have shared these moments.”
On Friday, Oct. 25 — 43 years (and two days) after Valenzuela pitched his way through a rough outing to beat the New York Yankees and turn the tide of the 1981 World Series — fans paid tribute to the hurler before Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers honored Valenzuela with video and musical tributes — the latter a rousing performance in Spanish by Deira Barrera and Julian Torres — before the players were introduced, and then took the tribute up another notch.
It wouldn’t be surprising if similar stands take place during Friday’s stadium event.
The Dodgers wore a patch on their uniforms honoring Fernando Valenzuela during the World Series.
The patch features his uniform number 34 and his first name and will appear on the left sleeve of the jersey. The Dodgers will also wear the patch through the 2025 season.
Staff writers Bill Plunkett and Todd Harmonson contributed to this report
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