A public funeral mass for Fernando Valenzuela – popular Mexican-born pitcher, Dodgers legend and inspiration for “Fernandomania” – will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

Valenzuela died of an undisclosed illness on October 22 at the age of 63. His death sparked grief among Dodgers fans throughout Los Angeles, and Valenzuela was remembered numerous times during that year's World Series games and in the Dodgers' subsequent victory celebrations.

His funeral procession begins at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a public Mass with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the event is expected to draw a large crowd, a viewing area will be set up in the Cathedral Plaza and the service will be livestreamed on the Cathedral website. There are no public parking spaces available at the cathedral. Officials encourage those who want to attend the event to use public transportation or rideshare options.

Valenzuela, a native of the small town of Etchohuaquila in the Mexican state of Sonora, played in 17 Major League Baseball seasons from 1980 to 1997, including 11 seasons with the Dodgers.

His rise from humble beginnings and unique pitching style earned him a loyal following, a passion that gave rise to the term “Fernandomania” during his remarkable 1981 season with the Boys in Blue. In 1981, he became the first and remains the only player to win the National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.

Valenzuela is widely credited with turning LA's Latino community into Dodgers fans.

Following his retirement, he served as a Spanish-language radio and then television commentator for the Dodgers before stepping down from the position in the final week of the 2024 regular season due to health reasons.

“He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Dodgers team president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement following Valenzuela’s death. “He thrilled the fan base with the 1981 Fernandomania season and has been very close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a presenter.”

Even after his death, Valenzuela was a major figure at this year's World Series games, where he was honored at Dodger Stadium with a floral cross next to his retired number 34. Although retirement numbers are typically reserved for players who make it into the Hall of Fame, a special exception was made for Valenzuela in 2023 to recognize his significant contributions to the franchise.

“Fernando will always remain a beloved figure in Dodgers history and a special source of pride for the millions of Latino fans he inspired,” Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

The team's World Series victory parade was held Friday on Valenzuela's 64th birthday. On the same day, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution declaring November 1st “Fernando Valenzuela Day.”

“For millions, Fernando Valenzuela was more than a baseball player. He was an icon who pushed the boundaries of hope and dreams,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “He was the voice of a game that we care deeply about. His charisma was palpable and his excellence undeniable.”

A six-story mural depicting Valenzuela's pitching was unveiled in Boyle Heights on Sunday. The colossal piece of public art was created by Robert Vargas and stands in front of a mural Vargas painted of another legendary pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, on 1st Street.

“Fernando Valenzuela meant so much to Boyle Heights and this great city of Los Angeles: a man whose life stood for courage, resilience and inspiration for all Latinos and people of all backgrounds in the great city of LA,” said City Council member Kevin de León during an unveiling ceremony . “Fernando’s story touched us all. He didn’t just advocate, he awakened hearts, he broke down barriers and unified this city.”

City News Service contributed to this report.