August 12th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 * * *
How it started…
On April 9th, 1981, a rookie pitcher, who had only pitched in ten games the previous year, came in on Opening Day at the last minute to replace left-handed starter Jerry Reuss.
Reuss was scheduled to kick off the season but was a late scratch due to a leg injury. The then 20-year-old pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela not only pitched a complete game, but he also shut out the Astros.
This effectively kick-started what has been dubbed “Fernandomania” across the baseball world. Valenzuela would go on to astound crowds and change the culture around the sport. By the end of the season, he had amassed a slew of awards, including being a 1981 World Series winner, Rookie of the Year, and the Cy Young winner.
(Getty)
* * * *
How it ended…
On August 11th, 2023, in front of a stadium crowd of 49,315, former pitcher turned Dodgers Spanish-language color commentator for SportsNetLA Fernando Valenzuela had his jersey number “34” retired and a new plaque unveiled in the Ring of Honor at Dodger Stadium.
Valenzuela was honored in a pre-game ceremony led by radio broadcaster Charley Steiner. On stage were U.S. Senator for California Alex Padilla, Dodgers President and part owner Stan Kasten, current Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urías, former Dodgers battery mate Mike Scioscia, Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, LA’s Spanish language commentator Pepe Yñiguez, and recently retired Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, who also used to interpret for Valenzuela when he first came up to Major League Baseball.
As if the day were not already special enough in the hearts of those in Blue Heaven on Earth, in a separate ceremony at City Hall, the Los Angeles City Council declared henceforth, August 11th would be Fernando Valenzuela Day.
(Katie Chin)
Thanks to Fernandomania forty-two years ago, “Fernando” became one of those household names like “Vin Scully” or “Jaime Jarrín” that had a huge impact on the Los Angeles fanbase. Many have been hoping he would be honored even though he has not made it into the Hall of Fame. The Dodgers organization decided to “bend” their rule this year and recognize him in their Ring of Honor. This ensured that no other Dodger player would ever wear the number “34” again.
In the famous words of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully after Valenzuela pitched a no-hitter: “If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky.” So here is yet another feather in his hat.
The Dodger faithful can rest easy tonight knowing that Fernando Valenzuela has been immortalized even further in Dodger history and that his number will stand guard over the stadium.
Congratulations, Fernando! You are so deserving of this honor!
* * * * * *
Posted in 
Wow. What fun Fernandomania was. I was fortunate to be at his no hitter on June 29, 1990. Still got that ticket stub.
I was blessed to be in the press box for Kershaw’s no-hitter. I was sitting next to Eric Stephen from TrueBlueLA. We simultaneously yelled out the same (very) dirty word when Hanley Ramirez blew Kersh’s perfect game. Only no-no I’ve witnessed in person.
I am also VERY blessed to see and chat with Fernando when I am in the PB.
I saw David Wells perfect game at Yankee Stadium. It was beanie baby Sunday and my daughter wanted the beanie baby, so we went. I remember sitting and watching around the fifth inning saying to myself did anybody from the twins get on base and the rest is history. The beanie baby is in the Hall of Fame.
I have the beanie babies, ticket stubs, parking ticket and newspaper article.
I’ve listened to all of the LA Dodgers no-hitters (watched Kershaw’s) but never saw one in person. But, I was in the stands for my son’s high school no-hitter, and 25 years later my grandson’s no-hitter.
A little late on this post; but I remember watching my Dodgers back in Illinois on KTLA when Fernando arrived in September of 1980. He gave up no runs in any of his relief appearances. I was like “This guy is going to be good”. My thoughts were right on the mark. I would watch games on TBS (Atlanta Braves games), WGN (Chicago Cubs games), and on KTLA. ESPN carried a few games and so did the “Game of the Week”. I was able to watch over half of the Dodger games free of charge on cable TV for a couple years. I saw Fernando pitch many times. One time I was driving somewhere and The Dodgers were playing St. Louis with Fernando pitching. Jack Buck was announcing the games on KMOX radio (St. Louis), which was carried by local stations in Illinois. The Cardinals had men on base in a close game. One of the top Cardinal hitters came up (it escapes me who it was). The batter worked a full count with two outs. “Here comes the pitch. Struck him out.” The tone in Jack Buck’s voice was that there was nothing the batter could do about it. I have never forgotten the tone in Buck’s voice.
GREAT memories, Wayne! Thanks for sharing!