Dodgers confirm long-awaited decision to retire club legend Fernando Valenzuela's number 34

On Saturday, it was announced that Fernando Valenzuela's iconic uniform number 34 will officially be retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commended the move to celebrate one of the most impactful players in the club's history.

Fernando Valenzuela was acquired by the LA Dodgers in 1979. He made his debut two years later, in 1981, and ended up winning the National League Rookie of the Year as well as the Cy Young Award that year. He remains the only player to have achieved this feat.

Valenzuela spent 11 seasons with the Dodgers. He was a part of their World Series-winning team in 1981. His 1981 showing gave rise to "Fernandomania", as he was catapulted into MLB superstardom. He secured an All-Star selection for each of his first six seasons from 1981 to 1986.

Speaking at the Dodgers Fan Fest 2023 where the announcement was made by Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten, Roberts said:

“He was such an impactful person and player with the Dodgers. From here on out, and even before today’s number retirement of the number, when you thought of the Dodgers and 34, you thought of Fernando. Now it’s more finalized.”

Describing Fernando Valenzuela's importance to the '80s Dodgers team, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com wrote:

"Valenzuela was a workhorse for the Dodgers, leading the majors in innings over his first seven full seasons, and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting three more times. He made six All-Star teams, he pitched a no-hitter, and won 173 games over his 17 seasons.

"But more importantly, it was how beloved he was by the fans in Los Angeles, as the Dodgers’ first true Mexican star."

Fernando Valenzuala's uniform number will be retired on Aug. 11 this year, and a weekend celebrating the iconic player's MLB career has also been planned, beginning on the same day.

Fernando Valenzuela's 1981 season

Former LA Dodgers player Fernando Valenzuela (Source: Twitter)

Valenzuela's debut season for the Los Angeles Dodgers was a memorable one, both on a personal as well as collective level.

In his 1981 season, according to this article from dodgerblue.com, he had figures of 2.48 ERA, eight shutouts and 11 complete games in 24 starts. An excerpt read:

"Valenzuela still stands as the only pitcher since 1945 to win his first eight Major League starts."

Valenzuela ended his Dodgers stint in 1991, and also played for the Baltimore Orioles as well as the San Diego Padres.