The Dodgers' World Series parade is a perfectly timed tribute to Fernando Valenzuela

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a beloved member of the organizational family when former Cy Young Award winner and 1981 World Series champion Fernando Valenzuela passed away on October 22 before the start of this year's World Series.

Winning the World Series, which Los Angeles achieved on Wednesday night thanks to a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees, is a great tribute to Valenzuela.

But the celebration of the World Series that the Dodgers will play on Friday will be an even more perfect tribute to the late Los Angeles pitcher. Why?

Because Friday, November 1st, the day of the Dodgers parade, is the same day as Valenzuela's birthday.

How perfect is that?

Valenzuela burst onto the scene as a 20-year-old rookie in 1981, winning the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year and helping the Dodgers win a World Series in a season for the ages. During his memorable career in Los Angeles, he was selected to the All-Star selection six times and then worked as a veteran radio host for the club from 2003 to 2024.

Now the Dodgers legend will forever be associated with another victory and a celebration of the World Series on Friday.

After Wednesday's victory, the Dodgers announced details and the route of Friday's parade in Los Angeles. It begins at 11 a.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park on Spring Street in front of City Hall. It then continues from 1st Street to Grand Avenue to 5th Street and ends the approximately 45-minute journey at the intersection of 5th Street and Flower Street. Members of the Dodgers will travel the route in double-decker buses.

The club recommends fans wishing to attend the parade use public transport due to road closures and parking restrictions.

There is also a ticketed event at Dodger Stadium starting around 12:15 p.m. after the parade. Televised coverage of Friday's events begins at 9:30 a.m. on SportsNet LA.