MLB legend Dave Winfield remembers Fernando Valenzuela ahead of World Series Game 1

Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was 0-for-3 successful 5 sheet appearances against Fernando Valenzuela successful Game 3 of the 1981 World Series betwixt the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Valenzuela and the Dodgers won the crippled connected their mode to a World Series title.

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FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws the ceremonial archetypal transportation during the MLB All-Star shot game, July 19, 2022, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

The prima pitcher was connected the minds of the Dodgers and respective different shot figures, including Winfield, earlier Game 1 connected Friday nighttime arsenic the 2 teams started their latest World Series matchup. Valenzuela died earlier successful the week, and the Dodgers honored him with a No. 34 spot connected their World Series jerseys.

Winfield recalled Valenzuela’s interaction connected shot successful an interrogation with Fox News Digital.

"Fernando was a large player," Winfield said. "He didn’t look similar a shot player, but helium surely was an awesome beingness connected the field. We faced him successful the World Series successful 1981. We had ne'er seen him before. He was a rookie, helium ends up being Cy Young Award winner, All-Star and each that.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman wears a spot connected his jersey successful representation of erstwhile Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela aft Game 1 of the shot World Series against the New York Yankees, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

"He passed distant the different day. People are truly feeling atrocious retired present successful L.A. astir him, due to the fact that helium was an icon. He was a legend. He was a portion of the community. He’ll beryllium missed greatly."

The 63-year-old died astatine a Los Angeles hospital. He had reportedly been battling an illness.

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Artist Louie Palestino works connected a mural depicting erstwhile Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 successful North Hollywood, California.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

"He is 1 of the astir influential Dodgers ever and belongs connected the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes," Dodgers squad president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "He galvanized the instrumentality basal with the Fernandomania play of 1981 and has remained adjacent to our hearts ever since, not lone arsenic a subordinate but besides arsenic a broadcaster. He has near america each excessively soon."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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