Dodgers retire Fernando's No. 34: 'I didn’t think this would happen'

This story originally ran in 2023 and is being resurfaced in light of the news of Fernando Valenzuela's passing.

LOS ANGELES – Despite it not being retired for over 30 years, no Dodgers player has worn the No. 34 since Fernando Valenzuela donned it from 1980-90.

That decision was made by the Dodgers in order to still honor Valenzuela without officially retiring his number. Remember, the Dodgers have an organizational rule that requires a player to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame before having his number retired at Dodger Stadium.

But in February, the Dodgers waived that rule for Valenzuela, a player who has made as big of an impact as any in the organization’s storied franchise. At FanFest, it was announced Valenzuela would have his jersey retired during a “Fernandomania” weekend.

Well, that weekend finally came and now it’s official. No Dodgers player will ever wear Valenzuela’s No. 34, as “El Toro’s” number was officially retired by the organization, joining Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale.

“Honestly? I would rather have the bases loaded with no outs,” Valenzuela laughed, when asked how nervous he was before his jersey retirement ceremony. “I think it’s something really important for me and my family. It’s something I never imagined would happen. But here we are.”

For years, it was something nobody thought would happen. Fans, especially Latino fans, were consistent in saying they wanted to see Valenzuela’s number retired. Three days before FanFest, Dodgers president Stan Kasten called Valenzuela to break the news that the moment was finally happening.

Initially, Valenzuela said he was surprised. But after a few seconds, he realized how special this day was for him and especially for the Mexican community that has supported him for decades.

“They’ve always been supporting,” Valenzuela said. “You don’t notice that until after you stop playing. It’s hard when you’re an active player. But I want to thank those fans because there was always a lot of support from them.”

While Valenzuela didn’t have the necessary longevity to make a strong case for Cooperstown, the peak of Fernandomania is something the sport likely may never see again.

His rise during the ’81 season has been well-documented and it’s one of the most successful stretches of any player in Major League history. The Mexican left-hander was a member of two World Series teams during his career, won the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, was selected to six All-Star teams and took home two Silver Slugger Awards as he became one of the best-hitting pitchers in the Majors.

But Valenzuela’s impact extended well past the diamond. He served as the perfect connection between the Dodgers and the large Mexican population in Los Angeles, creating a new wave of baseball and Dodgers fans throughout his career.

“It’s a big day. I think it’s certainly long overdue,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “His legacy, impact, is going to last forever. It’s lasted such a long time, not only for the Dodgers, but all of Major League Baseball. He’s been an inspiration for many people. Just to be able to break barriers, be so humble while doing it and so accomplished. I consider him a friend and I don’t think he’s going to be too emotional with this.”

To everyone’s surprise, however, Valenzuela did acknowledge his nerves and made sure to take it all in. It’s a moment he never expected, but certainly deserved. At last, his jersey hangs at Dodger Stadium, where it belongs.

“I didn’t think this would happen, because first of all you have to be in Cooperstown,” Valenzuela said. “It never crossed my mind that this would ever happen.”