Amid all the hoopla over the Dodgers' dramatic World Series win, a thread of melancholy made its way into the exultation on Friday in Downtown Los Angeles.
Thousands of fans would be there. And all the current Dodgers heroes. And scores of public officials, coaches, staff and Dodgers veterans.
Missing from the scene, however: Fernando Valenzuela.
"I remember meeting Fernando when I was 8 or 9, at am Easter event at Santa Anita Park," said Jesus Anaya of La Verne, who came to the parade with his son Lorenzo, 18. "He told me to stay in school."
The celebratory events are being held on the 64th anniversary of the birth of legendary Dodger pitcher Valenzeula, who died Oct. 22.
"It's going to be emotional," Dodger manager Dave Roberts said. "Fernando was a friend of mine. I know he's smiling right now and very proud of this organization. So he's going to be missed. I'm sure it's something that he would want to have been a part of, but it's going to be emotional for all of us."
"So many family members love him and I've seen his highlights," said Johnny Leon, 22, of Pomona, wore a No. 34 jersey -- Valenzuela's number -- to the celebration. "I wish he could be here to see this."
"Fernando was the big pull," said Miguel Ramirez, 49, of Norwalk. The manufacturing supervisor took a vacation day and to attend the parade -- and brought the Dodgers flag that waves outside his house during baseball season.
"Fernando brought so many Hispanics to the game. I remember watching Fernando pitch against the As on '88, so to be here today on his birthday is special. Dodgers is family."
An impromptu memorial to the Dodgers great grew each day outside Dodger Stadium, where a ticketed fan was scheduled to follow the victory parade Downtown.
"His smile would say it all. I know his presence was with us the whole time. He loved his Dodgers, he loved baseball," said Angelica Arteaga, CEO of Max's Mexican Cuisine in Monrovia, where Valenzuela frequented
Aside from quietly marking Valenzuela's birthday on Nov. 1, Arteaga will lead a tribute to the Dodgers great on Nov. 12, at the Max's in Monrovia. His favorite table will be renumbered "34" and a mural will be unveiled in his honor. Local mayors are set to attend to honor not only Valenzuela's baseball legacy but also the local philanthropies he supported.
"He meant so much to the Latino community as an inspiration," said Robert Gonzales, mayor of Azusa. "It was a privilege and honor to have met him, and to have a close tie to the Azusa community," Gonzales said. "I'm grateful to have shared those moments."
On Friday, Oct. 25 -- 43 years (and two days) after Valenzuela gutted his way through a rough outing to beat the New York Yankees and reverse the course of the 1981 World Series. fans paid tribute to the hurler before Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers honored Valenzuela with video and musical tributes - the latter a rousing Spanish-language performance by Deyra Barrera and Julian Torres - before the players were introduced, and then they took the tribute up a notch.
It wouldn't be surprising if similar tributes took place during the stadium event on Friday.