According to the Los Angeles Times on the 5th, the Dodgers retired Valenzuela’s number 34, one of the most famous pitchers in team history, on the 5th. announced that The Dodgers added that they will hold a three-day event for Valenzuela’s permanent absence in the home game against the Colorado Rockies, starting on August 13th.
After playing for the Dodgers from 1980 to 1990, Valenzuela moved to Anaheim in 1991 and retired in 1997 after going through Baltimore, Philadelphia, and San Diego. He went 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA over 17 major league years. The LA Times reported that Valenzuela’s career WAR (contribution to victory over substitutes) reached 41.4 (baseball reference standard), the highest ever recorded by a Mexican player in the major leagues.
The reason why Valenzuela earned permanent honor as a Dodgers player was because he showed off his explosive skills in the 1980s while playing for the Dodgers. Valenzuela won the 1981 National League Rookie of the Year Cy Young Award as a left-handed pitcher with a unique pitching form. He had a staggering debut season, posting 11 complete games, eight of which were shutouts. He also had a no-hitter in 1990. But most of all, he left a great impression by showing his strength by throwing over 250 innings for 7 consecutive seasons, starting with 19 wins (13 losses) in 1982 and throwing 285 innings. In 1986, he went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA, pitching 269.1 innings in 34 games. 메이저놀이터
Valenzuela became the Dodgers’ 11th retired player. Tommy Lasorda (No. 2), Sandy Koupex (No. 32), Jackie Robinson (No. 42), and Don Drystale (No. 53) have risen to the ranks of “blue blooded” legends. “It is a great honor to join a group that includes so many legends,” said Valenzuela.