Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela will be inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Hermosillo, Mexico.
Valenzuela -- whose arrival from the Mexican League in 1980 led to "Fernandomania" and a National League Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year Award, All-Star berth and World Series ring in 1981 -- is now a team broadcaster. Jaime Jarrin, now Valenzuela's broadcast partner and then his interpreter, will accompany Valenzuela to the induction, as will former manager Tommy Lasorda and Dodgers vice president Lon Rosen.
"I'm happy to accept this honor," Valenzuela said. "I started my career in Sonora, Mexico, playing for Navojoa, and also played in Hermosillo, where I am headed back tomorrow. It's nice to return to the place where I got started. I'm also very happy to be joined by Dodger colleagues and friends and my former manager this Sunday. Mexico has always been very important to the Dodgers and I thank them being there for me, for this continues to show that."
The Dodgers' unofficial policy of retiring only Cooperstown members (save Jim Gilliam) prevents Valenzuela's number from being retired at Dodger Stadium, so it's nice to see Fernando receive some long overdue accolades.
