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

Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was 0-3 in five plate appearances against Fernando Valenzuela in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Valenzuela and the Dodgers won the game on their way to the World Series title.

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FILE – Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws out the ceremonial first pitch during the MLB All-Star baseball game July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

The star pitcher kept the Dodgers and several other baseball players, including Winfield, busy before Game 1 on Friday night as the two teams began their latest World Series matchup. Valenzuela died earlier this week and the Dodgers honored him with a No. 34 patch on their World Series jerseys.

Winfield recalled Valenzuela's impact on baseball in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“Fernando was a great player,” Winfield said. “He didn’t look like a baseball player, but he was definitely a great presence on the field. We met him in the 1981 World Series. We had never seen him before. He was a rookie, at the end of the day he's called Cy Young.” Award winner, All-Star and so on.

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Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers wears a patch on his jersey in memory of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela after Game 1 of the Baseball World Series against the New York Yankees on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“He died recently. People here in LA really feel sorry for him because he was an icon. He was a legend. He was part of the community. He will be greatly missed.”

The 63-year-old died in a hospital in Los Angeles. He was reportedly struggling with illness.

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Artist Louie Palestino works on a mural depicting former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in North Hollywood, California. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

“He is one of the most influential Dodgers of all time and is on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” said Dodgers team president and CEO Stan Kasten. “He thrilled the fan base with the 1981 Fernandomania season and has been very close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a presenter. He left us far too soon.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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