Why did the mound in Dodgers vs Yankees World Series Game 1 have '34' painted on it? All you need to know

The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the New York Yankees for Game 1 of the 2024 World Series on Friday night. The Dodgers had painted the number 34 on the back of the pitching mound as a tribute to their former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who had passed away earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers invited two of their legendary players for the ceremonial first pitch in the opening game of the World Series. Former starting pitcher Orel Hershiser and his old batterymate Steve Yeager, who both played together with Fernando Valenzuela for several years, were at the Dodger Stadium for the event.

MLB posted a short video of the Dodgers legends paying respects to their old teammate before the start of the game on X, formerly Twitter. Instead of throwing the ceremonial first pitch, Hershiser and Yeager lay the ball beside the number 34 that was painted on the mound.

Fernando Valenzuela played for 17 seasons in the MLB and spent more than a decade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his debut for the team in 1980 as a relief pitcher before getting promoted to a starting role at the start of his full rookie campaign the following year.

It marked the beginning of one of the best debuts in MLB history as Valenzuela became a nationwide sensation, which was dubbed "Fernandomania."He posted an 8-0 record after winning each of the first eight games with seven complete games, including five shutouts.

Eventually, Fernando Valenzuela finished the 1981 season with a 13-7 record, 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts, thanks to his mastery over the screwball pitch. He collected the first of his six All-Star selections before becoming the first player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season.

Dodgers and Yankees square off in World Series for first time since 1981

Fernando Valenzuela pitched a 146-pitch complete game win for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series against the Nw York Yankees (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League pennant and faced the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series. The two teams have squared up in the Fall Classic again this season, the first time that has happened since they locked horns 43 years ago.

On that occasion, the Dodgers beat the Yankees 4-2 in the series to claim their fifth World Series title. It was also their third Fall Classic triumph over the Bronx Bombers. Fernando Valenzuela delivered a 146-pitch complete game win in Game 3 of the series, while Steve Yeager was named MVP.