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Fernando Valenzuela funeral: Fans, loved ones mourn Dodger great
The funeral of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
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Robert Gauthier
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Los Angeles Times / Pool
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Hundreds of mourners on Wednesday attend the funeral for Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, who died Oct. 22 at the age of 63.
Valenzuela debuted on the mound for the Dodgers when he was just 19, drawing in a huge base of Mexican and Mexican American fans. During the 1981 Fernandomania season, he won National League Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award, and would go on to become one of the most popular Dodgers of all-time.
After more than two decades as a Spanish-language Dodgers broadcaster, the team announced in October that he would step away from the booth to focus on his health.
Fernando Valenzuela Jr. delivers an emotional, heartfelt eulogy of his father Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
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Robert Gauthier
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Los Angeles Times / Pool
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Los Angeles, CA, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - Archbishop Jose H. Gomez blesses the casket Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
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Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times / Pool
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Los Angeles Times
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At his funeral at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, which was livestreamed here, Archbishop Jose Gomez blessed Valenzuela’s remains in a casket. Then the nine piece Mariachi Sol De México, dressed in blue, played “Yo Te Extrañaré.”
Former Dodgers Jerry Reuse, left, reaches out to greet Mike Scioscia, right as Rick Sutcliffe and Peter O'Malley during the funeral of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
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Robert Gauthier
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Los Angeles Times / Pool
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Former Dodgers players attended and sat in a section at the front of the sanctuary, next to the family: Orel Hershiser, Manny Mota, Nomar Garciaparra, Ron Cey, Justin Turner and others. Former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley and current Dodgers President Stan Kasten sat in the same section. No current Dodgers players were visible in that section.
The funeral of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
(
Robert Gauthier
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Los Angeles Times / Pool
)
Former Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia and Valenzuela’s teammate spoke during the mass. "It’s hard for Fernando’s friends and teammates, and family," he said in Spanish.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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