"Very sad and disappointed to read about Fernando Valenzuela falling very short of necessary Hall of Fame votes. In hindsight, it would have been advisable for the voters to read "Stealing Home" by Erik Nusbaum on the Dodgers having a negative community impact with the decision to move families from Chavez Ravine to make room for their planned stadium."
"Valenzuela playing for the Dodgers truly was a "feel good" story in assisting in the healing of our sports and cultural community. Whoever heard of the so-called "Contemporary Baseball Era Committee?" Now, whoever heard of Fernando Valenzuela? Just about every sports fan alive! He was a legend. A man that did so much more for baseball and the local community. Fernando is definitely a Hall of Famer in more ways than one!"
"As a player maybe Fernando Valenzuela doesn't quite make the Hall of Fame, but as someone who totally changed our national pastime, he should be a definite YES."
Fernando Valenzuela fell short of the necessary Hall of Fame votes despite widespread public admiration. The Dodgers' decision to move families from Chavez Ravine created significant negative community impacts, as detailed in "Stealing Home" by Erik Nusbaum. Wider sports reporting would increase appreciation for Valenzuela's immediate on-field success and off-field role in expanding the Hispanic fan base to current levels. Valenzuela's time with the Dodgers provided a feel-good narrative that aided healing across sports and cultural communities. The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee received criticism relative to Valenzuela's legacy. As a cultural changemaker, Valenzuela merits recognition beyond conventional player metrics. May he RIP.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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