Manny and Jose Acosta, lifelong Dodger fans born in Mexico, mourned the death of Fernando Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium alongside hundreds of other fans. Manny Acosta reflected on the impact of Valenzuela as an immigrant who achieved the American dream through his success in baseball. Victor Montalvo, a Boyle Heights native and fellow fan, compared Valenzuela’s passing to iconic LA sports figures like Vin Scully and Kobe Bryant. Alexander Escobar praised Valenzuela as a humble inspiration for the Hispanic community, while Carlos Flores found Valenzuela’s journey from Mexico to the US particularly significant. Paul Serrano and Kristen Gaer, both die-hard fans, expressed their sadness and hope for the Dodgers to win the World Series in Valenzuela’s honor. Fans gathered at Valenzuela’s memorial outside Dodger Stadium to pay their respects, leaving flowers, candles, baseballs, and other memorabilia in honor of the legendary pitcher. Valenzuela’s role as a Mexican baseball superstar and his impact on generations of fans was evident in the outpouring of grief and remembrance from the community. The Dodgers plan to honor Valenzuela’s legacy during the World Series, adding an extra layer of emotion to the games. The death of Valenzuela, a beloved icon in LA and Hispanic communities, was felt deeply by fans like the Acostas, Montalvo, Escobar, Flores, Serrano, and Gaer, who all hope to see the Dodgers win in Valenzuela’s memory.
Source
Photo credit www.latimes.com