Farewell Fernando

When Vin died, I wrote: “Some people die young, which is horrible. Then there are people who reach a ripe old age and still die too young. Vin Scully is one of those people. One I thought would always be around.”

Well, we lost another big name and he did die too young. 63 is no age to leave our planet. Fernando Valenzuela came and conquered the MLB in unbelievable fashion. He won and won and won. Not only games and the 1981 World Series, but also the hearts of the Latin Americans in LA. He single handedly made them finally fall in love with the Boys in Blue. If you wonder why the Mexican community and the Dodgers were off to a bad start, read 'Stealing Home', by Eric Nusbaum. For a great insight of Fernando’s rise, watch the 30 for 30 documentary ‘'Fernando Nation'.

No Time

I see many pictures of Dodger fans taken with Fernando. I almost got one myself the day after the 50th opening day at Dodger Stadium in 2012. I met him just before he dove into the elevator. “Sorry, no time, I have to present the Cy Young to Clayton”. I’ll get one, one day, I thought. It’ll never happen now, but I’ll have this encounter and loads of pitching greatness on film to remember him by.

Thank you, El Toro, #34, Rest in Peace!