FERNANDOMANIA

I'm a strong believer that the journey is just as important as the destination you embark on. In a journey it is important stop, reflect and acknowledge some of the accolades one has accomplished. This reflection soon transfers to energy in the form of motivation to keep going.

I grew up a baseball fan going and watching the Los Angeles Dodgers. My dad & mom would pack the Tan Toyota Privia with my siblings (6 kids) and would drive 40 minutes west to Chavez Ravine. Like most immigrant families nose bleed tickets is all we knew. That didn't matter! We were at Dodgers stadium! One soda to share, one foam finger to share, one dodger stadium to share. My dad would Echo the name of a retired Mexican legend that came in to the MLB and dominated, the unsung hero that represented the Mexican community in the field, the great Fernando (El Toro) Valenzuela. Thats all I knew him as, a legend of the game. I never got the opportunity to see Fernando Valenzuela play but did my research as I grew up.

It's August 2023, and the Dodgers have decided to retire Fernando Valenzuela's number (34) at Chavez Ravine. Through the fruits of my labor I received the opportunity to design a shirt that will be sold in honor of his retirement. This is one of those times I take a minute and reflect, this is the motivation I have to keep going.

Thanks Dad for echoing the legend that is Fernando, this one is for you!