Editorials

Dodgers: Fans Want Team to Retire Fernando Valenzuela’s Number

On the anniversary of Fernando Valenzuela’s first and only career no-hitter, we make the case that the Dodgers should retire “El Toro’s” iconic number 34. Plus, Dodgers fans on social media want the team to override their long-standing policy that a player must be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in order to have their number formally retired by the franchise.

Next, we take a look at Fernando Valenzuela’s career and discuss if he’s worthy of Hall of Fame consideration and if should be considered for the Buck O’Neil award or by the Veteran’s committee.



WATCH

Where do you stand on Fernandomania being officially immortalized? Lesser players stats wise are in the baseball Hall of Fame. What Fernando meant to Los Angeles, Mexico, and a generation of Hispanic baseball fans is Hall of Fame worthy alone.

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Doug McKain

Doug McKain is a lifelong Dodger fan and hosts Dodgers Nation’s “DNpostgame” show online. He also hosts Dodgers DougOut and the LA Sports Report on YouTube. DMAC is also a rabid Lakers fan, and lover of all Los Angeles sports.

12 Comments

  1. Retire Fernando’s number then Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo, Don Newcombe, Orel Hershiser, Tommy John, Claude Osteen, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Maury Wills, Willie Davis — and I am likely forgetting a few. Fernando mania was great, but recognizing Valenzuela ahead of other deserving Dodgers would be wrong.

    1. Sorry, no Garvey. All his kids all over the country have his number. Maybe I’m being too critical. After all, it has been said that Ty Cobb was a real jerk, so……

      1. As Steve’s wife of over 32 years and mother of 5 children I take enormous offense as do our children by your comment. We do have his number with that we adore and unconditionally love the kindest person we have ever known. I’m sure you have never had an interaction with Steve or you wouldn’t comment. Gossip and untruths are ugly and make people unkind. I hope you get the opportunity to meet him. I agree Fernando deserves this honor #fernandomania

  2. Fernando was Dodger Baseball in the 80’s him and Orel Hershisher should go on the ring of retired numbers. Who would forget the 1981 Expos NLCS in Montreal or the fact they won the world title that year winning CY Young and ROY awards . He and Orel were on the 1988 WS Team and Orel posted one of the greatest pitching seasons of all time 23-8 won the Cy Younmg and 58 /2/3rd inning of shut out baseball which may never be broken . MVP World Series. Yes they both deserve to be on the wall with the Gold glover and iron man of his time Steve Garvey .

  3. Gil Hodges and Maury Wills should definitely be in the Hall of Fame, as well as Steve Garvey. All three deserve to have their uniform numbers retired. When they get their due, it’s Fernando’s turn.

  4. the dodgers will continue to require HOF selection before retiring numbers, otherwise 4 or5 other players would qualify. Off the field notiriety non-withstanding his numbers are the only criteria and his fall short.

  5. Wills #30 must be retired first before Freddy gets his # retired. Wills changed baseball for decades – funny how the stolen base has faded again though!!

  6. If they retired all the deserving player’s numbers they wouldn’t have any left! But Wills, Fernando, and Hodges I’m good with

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