Dodgers Reveal Jersey Patch to Honor Fernando Valenzuela During 2024 MLB World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor one of their franchise legends during the World Series against the New York Yankees and throughout the 2025 campaign.

Los Angeles announced Thursday ahead of Friday's Game 1 of the Fall Classic that players will wear patches to recognize Fernando Valenzuela on their jerseys:

Valenzuela, who pitched 11 seasons for the Dodgers from 1980 through 1990, died this week at the age of 63.

The update from the Dodgers comes after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement Tuesday that said, in part, "We will honor Fernando's memory during the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium."

Valenzuela was a beloved figure within the Dodgers organization beyond just his status as a former player. He also was a broadcaster for the team's Spanish radio and television simulcast for 22 seasons.

Los Angeles released a statement on Oct. 2 that said he "stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health."

NBC 4 in Los Angeles reported on Oct. 1 that he was hospitalized "with an unspecified health problem."

Valenzuela first appeared in a game during the 1980 campaign, but it was in 1981 when "Fernandomania" swept over the baseball world. He started the season with an 8-0 record and 0.50 ERA and parlayed that into a 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a league-best 180 strikeouts in a league-best 192.1 innings over the course of the year.

He was awarded with the National League Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young that season, and his Dodgers ended up defeating the Yankees in the World Series.

Valenzuela also pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring after the 1997 campaign as a six-time All-Star.

But he will forever be known best for his days on the Dodgers, and the team retired his No. 34 in August 2023:

Now his former team will look to defeat the Yankees in the World Series, just like he did during his playing days. And it will be recognizing him along the way with these jersey patches.