Tuesday, October 21, 2008

One Thing the McCourts Got Right: Honoring Fernando

Fernando Valenzuela acknowledges the crowd during NLCS Game 3.


At each of the four Dodgers' home playoff games this year, the between-innings entertainment included video tributes to Dodger legends, then a live shot of said legend at the game. One of the honorees was Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda, who of course received a huge ovation.

But the most gratifying reaction was to the tribute to Fernando Valenzuela, set to the ABBA song "Fernando." (And you haven't lived until you're heard SoSG Delino sing along to ABBA.) Valenzuela, famously estranged from the Dodgers for years, has apparently made his peace with the organization and currently works as a broadcaster for La Ranchera radio.

As for Vin Scully, my hunch is that the Dodgers approached him about a possible tribute and he turned it down. If so, I hope there will be more opportunities in the future for the fans to say thanks to Vinny.

top photo by Orel/SoSG. That is some quality photography right there. Eat your heart out, Jon SooHoo.

4 comments:

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Indeed, within one verse, Orel witnessed in fascination (or horror) as the rugged Road House/Gymkata/Zardoz-loving guy transformed to an Abba songbird. And I bellowed... There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando

But you know, with my voice (that only four of you have heard).

Kyle Baker said...

yeah they've been doing fernando tributes for a couple of seasons now, ending with a live shot of him in his broadcasting booth. which inevitably makes me weepy until i have top finally recover and get all overly-manly to make up for it, which generally involves going to get another large dos equis.

Brian Beelner said...

They did a mini tribute to Vin Scully at NLCS game 5. They didn't play any songs or any great broadcasting moments, but they did pt him up on the jumbotron between innings and the crowd went crazy. he was his typical humble self and pointed back at the crowd and clapped along with them (from what I recall)

Unknown said...

Does anyone have the tribute video?? I thought it was a great video for a great person and I would like to see it again.
please post the link or info on how I can get a copy of it.