Respecting the competition: Dodgers finally retire Fernando Valenzuela's number

[TecmoBengals]

(02-09-2023, 12:32 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Before my time, but looking back stat-wise it seems like a real weak case for a retired number.

His ERA+ as a Dodger is 107, as in just 7% above league average. He's nowhere close to being a HoF player, either, lasting just 2 years on the ballot before being dropped.

Had a couple dominant years, but I feel like if you're saying "nobody can ever wear this number again for this team in honor of this guy" it should really be next level performance. Or perhaps huge off-field meaning? Did he do something incredibly noteworthy off the field?

On the field he has the highest wins above replacement of any Mexican-born MLB player & he is the only player to ever win the Cy Young and ROY in the same season.

I think the jersey retirement is about his accomplishments as a Mexican-born player.