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BREAKING: Los Angeles Unveil Fernando Valenzuela Memorial Patch

Earlier today, I reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers had shared their World Series uniforms featuring this year’s World Series patch on the front of the jersey (in the same spot as the Yankees will wear theirs). I noted then that the uniform did not feature any kind of memorial for the recently deceased Fernando Valenzuela.

I was surprised at the omission, but I also speculated that they might still add the memorial patch in time for the World Series.

The team has just done so.

As you can see, the patch will be located on the sleeve, above the team’s “LA” logo. It’s black, surrounded by a blue outline, with “FERNANDO” in white block letters above the number “34” in blue, outlined in white.

The patch matches the style of those the Dodgers have previously worn to memorialize former players.

Here’s a look at some of the more recent ones.

Don Newcombe

Roy Campanella/Don Drysdale

Maury Wills

__________

Nice! I’m glad the Dodgers were able to add the Fernando memorial patch in time for the World Series. He’ll undoubtedly be given a tribute before tomorrow night’s Game 1, so it would almost feel odd if he weren’t also memorialized on the uniform, as past Dodger greats have been.

It’s a bit of a shame the patch needs to share sleeve space with the team’s LA logo, but jersey real estate is at a premium these days. With a sleeve ad and a logo already occupying space on the sleeves, the World Series patch — for both the Yankees and Dodgers — has been moved from its customary position to the front of the jersey, a practice that began last season when the Diamondbacks and Rangers both had their WS logo patches on the chest.

But even with the Fernando patch sharing space with the LA logo, it’s still proper and fitting that the Dodgers were able to have the patch on the jersey in time for the 2024 World Series!

 
  
 
Comments (11)

    There are companies that can create memorial stickers/patches or embroidered patches with adhesive backing REALLY quickly. If it means something to your team to have such a patch quickly, you can get it done.

    I appreciate consistency (the Cardinals come to mind), and I didn’t realize the Dodgers were similarly consistent. I bet that allowed for a faster order with little time to design and deliberate. Sad Fernando couldn’t see another WS and especially a Dodgers Yankees one like he participated in 1981, but nice to see he’ll be on the sleeves and in everybody’s hearts. RIP

    I’m not surprised at all. With so few changes made to the Dodgers’ unis, this bit of consistency is kind of expected.

    Now please excuse me while I throw up in my mouth a little after praising the Dodgers.

    The turnaround seems remarkably fast. Kudos to the Dodgers for having the memorial patch ready in time for Game 1. Personally, I find the format to be soulless and cheap-looking, but that seems to be the team’s standard format, so whatever.

    They’ll be there in 2025 too per link. I may tune into the Spanish radio broadcast tomorrow to sense the tenor of things before hopping back on the English one.

    If you are a Yankees fan (that would be me ) this Fernando memorial patch bodes well for you. The last 2 times the Yanks on Dodgers met in the World Series, the team with the memorial patch or black armband lost. 1978 Jim Gllliam (19 patch) Dodgers loose in 6. 1981 Easton Howard ( black armband) Yanks loose in 6. We shall see soon if pattern keeps up.

    Third straight World Series between Yanks /Dodgers a team has worn memorial patch or armband. Previous 2 with memorial recognition lost. 1978 Jim Gilliam -19 patch, Yanks in six. 1981 Elston Howard -black armband. Dodgers in six. This bodes well for Yanks.

    It looks like Fernando’s name is done in a version of Futura Condensed. Looking at the other patches, the names on Newcombe’s and Wills’ patches look like they could be Futura, while the Campanella/Drysdale patch looks to have used something more like Helvetica.

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