The Los Angeles Dodgers remembered late team legend Fernando Valenzuela before their World Series battle against the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Valenzuela passed away at age 63 earlier this year, just days before his beloved team returned to the World Series to face its familiar foe.
The Dodgers announced the news of his death Tuesday night without giving a cause of death.
Valenzuela’s grieving family gathered on the field after team introductions as the Dodgers paid tribute to their legend before the start of the World Series.
His wife Linda, sons Fernando Jr. and Ricardo, and daughters Maria and Linda stood together at home plate as their late husband and father was emotionally honored by his former team.
Fernando Valenzuela’s grieving family joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ tribute to the legend

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Valenzuela passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63.

His wife Linda (left), sons Fernando Jr. (center) and Ricardo (right), and daughters Maria and Linda were together at home plate before Game 1 of the World Series on Friday.
In honor of the pitcher, the usual first pitch was not thrown, but rather the ball was placed by former Dodgers MVPs Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager at number 34, Valenzuela’s jersey number, which he had been painted on the mound.
The Los Angeles announcer then asked fans gathered inside Dodger Stadium to observe a moment of silence for Valenzuela or, if they preferred, replicate one of his infamous gestures.
They encouraged fans to “look at the sky, like Fernando would do every time he pitched.”
During the tribute, Valenzuela’s widow, Linda, was heartbreakingly captured trying to hold back tears while her son, Fernando Jr., comforted her.
Valenzuela rose from obscurity to stardom in 1981 during a period known as ‘Fernandomania’ when he became the only player to win a Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
Valenzuela played in the major leagues from 1980 until his retirement in 1997.
During his first eight starts of the 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed only four earned runs and earned a complete victory each time he took the mound.
Manager Tommy Lasorda named him on Opening Day 1981 after Jerry Reuss was injured a day earlier. They responded with a 2-0 victory over Houston, starting the season with an 8-0 record, including five shutouts, and a 0.50 ERA.

Valenzuela went from anonymity to stardom in mid-1981 during ‘Fernandomania’

A ball was placed near the number 34 painted on the mound, in lieu of a first pitch.

A blue and white wreath was hung over a plaque of the former Dodgers pitcher
‘Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, “Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?” I said, ‘I’m ready,'” Valenzuela recalled. “That’s what I was looking for, the opportunity to show what I can do.”
Valenzuela remained close to the franchise after his retirement. He was a color commentator on the Spanish-language broadcasts of his SportsNet LA cable channel until earlier this month.
The Dodgers had announced that Valenzuela had hopes of returning to the cockpit next season, while stepping aside to focus on his health.
The native of Etchohuaquila, Mexico, is credited with attracting a large number of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and was nicknamed ‘El Toro’, the Bull. He also proved to be a big draw away from home.
Valenzuela’s throwing move (looking skyward at the apex of each move) was also a success. His signature throw was the Screwball, which his teammate Bobby Castillo taught him in 1979.

Fans honored the six-time All-Star by wearing his jersey when the Dodgers faced the Yankees.

Mural depicting MLB icon went up at Dodger Stadium days after his death
During their warm-ups, ABBA’s hit ‘Fernando’ was blasting over the speakers.
Valenzuela spent the first 11 of his 17 years in the majors with Los Angeles. He helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series, winning the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year after going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts.
The six-time All-Star won at least 10 games and made at least 25 starts in nine seasons with the Dodgers. He went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA in 1986, pitching 20 complete games and finishing second to Mike Scott in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Valenzuela appeared in his final major league game with St. Louis in July 1997. He finished his playing career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA in 453 games, including 424 starts.