Family, teammates and fans remember Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela at funeral Mass
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A funeral Mass was held Wednesday morning for Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
The public Mass included fans wearing Dodgers gear, some in Valenzuela's No. 34 jersey. Many held up cell phones to record moments. Around 1,000 people attended.
Former Dodgers teammate Mike Scioscia, at times speaking in Spanish, eulogized Valenzuela for having "the heart of a lion."
"He had a quiet confidence about him. He always felt he was the best in the world, but he never told anyone about it," Scioscia said. "He would walk out on that mound with all this internal confidence to go out there and be the best he can."
Fernando Valenzuela Jr. gave a tearful eulogy of his papá in Spanish, pausing to wipe his face with a white cloth. Valenzuela's wife, Linda, and other children Ricardo, Linda and Maria sat in the front row, along with his grandchildren.
Valenzuela Jr. said during the service that his father was the most important person in his life. He added that before he died, he asked his beloved father for more time so he could learn about life from him.
"Fernando is alive and present in our hearts and in our lives," the Rev. James Anguiano said.
Frankie Sandoval, a former Dodgers batting practice pitcher, was among those who showed up to pay their respects. Valenzuela was also the godfather to his son.
"My heart is broken because of the fact that he was very dear to me, very special to my life," Sandoval said.
Valenzuela died on Oct. 22 at age 63, three days before the Dodgers began their eventual run to the franchise's eighth World Series championship, beating the New York Yankees in five games last week. No cause of death was given.
The Dodgers' victory parade was held last Friday on what would have been Valenzuela's 64th birthday.
The nine-member Mariachi Sol de Mexico played and sang throughout the service. It concluded with eight pallbearers ushering his casket covered in white roses to a waiting hearse.
Former Dodgers Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Reggie Smith, Jerry Reuss, Manny Mota, Justin Turner, Rick Sutcliffe, Nomar Garciaparra and Jesse Orosco were among the mourners. They were joined by former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, current president and CEO Stan Kasten, team COO Bob Wolfe, team general counsel Sam Fernandez and actor Edward James Olmos.
Valenzuela's colleagues on the team's Spanish-language broadcasts, Jaime Jarrín who retired in 2022 and, José Mota, were there.
Valenzuela helped transform the Dodgers fanbase beginning in 1981 when "Fernandomania" took off. The Mexican-born pitcher went on to win the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year that season, and he finished the year by helping the Dodgers defeat the Yankees in the World Series.
A six-time All-Star, Valenzuela was 173-153 in 17 seasons, including 141-116 with the Dodgers from 1980-90.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
