The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series title since 2020, and the eighth in franchise history, and did so in dramatic fashion, erasing a big lead to defeat the New York Yankees en route to Game 5.
The Dodgers returned home to host a World Series celebration parade where fans paid tribute to former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who died shortly before the start of the 2024 World Series.
Dodgers fans sang “Happy Birthday” on the legend’s 64th birthday.
Dodgers fans wish Fernando Valenzuela a happy 64th birthday. pic.twitter.com/PzGhQyx75g
— MLB (@MLB) November 1, 2024
Valenzuela entered the majors with the Dodgers in 1980 and played 11 seasons with them.
The Mexican-born pitcher became the first player in major league baseball history to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season in 1981.
Valenzuela started 25 games that season and had a 13-7 record with a 2.48 earned run average and 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings.
His Cy Young season included 11 complete games and eight shutouts.
Valenzuela is often credited with spreading Major League Baseball throughout Mexico and bringing new fans to the game.
He died on October 22, shortly before his 64th birthday, which would have been November 1.
Valenzuela played 17 MLB seasons before retiring in 1997 with the St. Louis Cardinals to become a broadcaster for the Dodgers.
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