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Famed Mexican pitcher frozen in bronze

Mexican baseball legend Fernando Valenzuela and his family dropped into Guadalajara last weekend as guests of honor of  the Charros de Jalisco, one of his former teams. The highlight of the visit was the unveiling of a bronze statue of the famed pitcher in the forecourt of the Pan American Baseball Stadium.

“It’s my first statue and a great honor,” said the former LA Dodgers star.  “And I guess it does capture my pitching style.”

Dozens of fans crowded around the statue, which weighs 250 kilos and measures 2.40 meters in height, for a glimpse of their hero and offer up balls and caps for signatures.

Valenzuela became emotional when thanking the Guadalajara public for their warmth and support during his brief visit. “I’m getting goose bumps just standing here,” he admitted.

During Friday night’s opening game of the series against the Culiacan Tomatogrowers, Valenzuela was honored in the sixth inning, when the 32 jersey number he wore with the Charros in 1992 and 1994 was retired.

On Sunday Valenzuela dutifully signed balls, caps and t-shirts for dozens of young fans, some of whom waited patiently in line for nearly an hour.

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