LOS ANGELES — There was a poignant ceremony before Game 1 of the World Series for late Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela, with the flag at half-staff, the videoboard showing highlights of Valenzuela, a musical tribute, and a moment of silence.
Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager, who played on the Dodgers’ World Series championship teams in 1988 and 1981, respectively, wore Valenzuela jerseys to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. Yet, instead of throwing the pitch, they merely placed the ball on the pitcher’s mound while Valenzuela’s wife, Linda, and their four children softly wept.
“I think if there’s two people that probably impacted this organization most,’’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I think you would say Jackie Robinson and Fernando Valenzuela. No disrespect to anyone else, but if you’re talking about currently the fan base, there’s a lot of people that are here and support the Dodgers south of the border because of Fernando.
“That was obviously when I was younger, really young, but his legacy continues to live on. He was a friend of mine. And so to not see him up in the (broadcast) booth or to say hello, is sad for me and his family.
“But Fernando was a gentleman, a great Dodger, and what a humble man.’’
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Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who also played for the Dodgers, said Valenzuela’s death hit hard for his Mexican-American family. They had gotten to know Valenzuela when Verdugo played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
“He meant a lot to our family, obviously, with the Mexican heritage to it and the ties in that regard. Being with him with the Dodgers and Team Mexico, we got to spend a good amount of time with each other. We had several conversations, not to talk just about baseball, but talk about life. These are things where he’s impacted my family’s life, my mom, my dad and my life.
“We’re just saddened by it, but you know at the end of the day, we do want to celebrate him and bring up all of the positives that he brought out to the community.’
Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said he will cherish his memories of Valenzuela as he grew up in San Diego admiring the Dodgers star.
“Fernando was always fantastic to me,’ Clark said. “Growing up in San Diego, obviously, I had an opportunity to watch him quite a bit, and having the opportunity while I was a player to meet him and talk to him as a former player. I’m grateful for it. It was hard to see his passing.’