Dodgers honor Fernando Valenzuela in poignant ceremony before Game 1 of World Series

A sellout crowd of 53,134 gave Valenzuela a standing ovation before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch

The Dodgers also unveiled a statue of Valenzuela outside Dodger Stadium

The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Fernando Valenzuela in a poignant ceremony before Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night.

A sellout crowd of 53,134 gave Valenzuela a standing ovation before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Dodgers also unveiled a statue of Valenzuela outside Dodger Stadium.

Valenzuela, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, is one of the most beloved players in Dodgers history. He helped the team win the World Series in 1981 and was named the National League Rookie of the Year that season.

Valenzuela's statue is located on the right-field side of Dodger Stadium, next to the statue of Jackie Robinson. It depicts Valenzuela in his iconic windup, with his left arm raised high in the air.

The ceremony was a fitting tribute to a player who has meant so much to the Dodgers and to the city of Los Angeles.