Frances-Anne Solomon’s ‘HERO’ Comes to the BBC

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Valenzuela was remembered for “having the heart of a lion” throughout his stellar pitching career with the Los Angeles Dodgers during a funeral highlighting his Catholic faith on Wednesday.

Archbishop José Gomez sprinkled holy water on Valenzuela’s casket and later waved incense over it. Nearby a portrait of a smiling Valenzuela rested against the altar.

“His death came too soon,” the Rev. James Anguiano said in his sermon.

The public Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles included fans wearing Dodgers gear, some in Valenzuela’s No. 34 jersey. Many held up cell phones to record moments.

Valenzuela died on Oct. 22 at age 63, three days before the Dodgers began their eventual run to the franchise’s eighth World Series championship, beating the New York Yankees in five games last week. No cause of death was given.

“I really think Fernando hoped to witness the Dodgers win the World Series this year but you know he did witness the Dodgers as champions,” Anguiano said. “Fernando had a front-row seat, perfect from heaven.”

“I know like I’m standing here that Fernando is up there, he’s letting us know he’s doing well and he’s celebrating along with the Dodgers in their World Series championship,” said Mike Scioscia, who caught Valenzuela in many of his starts in 1981, including a five-hit shutout on Opening Day.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series that year, in six games against the Yankees. The Mexican-born Valenzuela is the only player to earn the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

Scioscia, at times speaking in Spanish, eulogized Valenzuela for having “the heart of a lion.”

“He was 20-years-old in 1981 when he was going through Fernandomania and he just kept perspective the whole way,” Scioscia said. “Fernando never got too big for his britches. He was always well-grounded, he knew that he had a talent and he wanted to go out there and do it every time. He always felt he was the best in the world but he never told anybody about it.”

Fernando Valenzuela Jr. gave a tearful eulogy of his papá in Spanish, pausing to wipe his face with a white cloth. Valenzuela’s wife, Linda, and other children Ricardo, Linda and Maria sat in the front row, along with his grandchildren.

“Fernando no longer has to look up nor does he have to look down,” Anguiano said, referring to Valenzuela’s skyward glance during his unusual delivery. “Fernando is alive and present in our hearts and in our lives.”

The nine-member Mariachi Sol de Mexico played and sang throughout the service. It concluded with eight pallbearers ushering his casket covered in white roses to a waiting hearse.

Former Dodgers Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Reggie Smith, Jerry Reuss, Manny Mota, Justin Turner, Rick Sutcliffe, Nomar Garciaparra and Jesse Orosco were among the mourners. They were joined by former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, current president and CEO Stan Kasten, team COO Bob Wolfe, team general counsel Sam Fernandez and actor Edward James Olmos.

Valenzuela’s colleagues on the team’s Spanish-language broadcasts, Jaime Jarrín who retired in 2022 and, José Mota, were there.

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Jim Montgomery turned to his right and trudged down the tunnel towards the visitors locker room at Scotiabank Arena.

The Bruins head coach and his players moved past the windows of the rink’s exclusive new social club — a venue that allows select fans a brief glimpse into an NHL team’s journey.

Boston’s ride has been largely unfamiliar and bumpy so far this season.

A franchise used to fast starts to the schedule, the Bruins sit below .500 at 6-7-1 on the heels of Tuesday’s 4-0 shutout and that hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston didn’t lose a seventh game in regulation in 2022-23 until Jan. 29 on the way to winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Last season, the Bruins waited until Dec. 23 for their seventh regulation defeat.

Alarm bells aren’t sounding. The mood, however, is decidedly different.

“It’s unique right now,” Boston defenceman Brandon Carlo said. “Our group as a whole is still very encouraged and positive for the most part. I don’t think we want to get too far down on ourselves this early in the year.”

It’s also not hard to see where vast improvements are needed.

While the Bruins have been satisfied with their play at five-on-five of late, special teams remain a major issue.

Boston’s power play tumbled to 29th overall heading into Wednesday night’s action following an 0-for-6 performance in Toronto, while its penalty kill dropped to 20th after the Leafs connected on three of seven chances.

The Bruins, to make matters worse, are by far the most penalized roster in the league with 79 infractions across their 14 games — 12 more than the second-place Los Angeles Kings.

Montgomery’s special teams have been, at minimum, in the top half of the league in his two previous seasons in charge since taking over from Bruce Cassidy. Boston’s penalty kill ranked first in 2022-23 and seventh in 2023-24, while the power play was 14th and 12th, respectively.

“Our group’s fine,” Montgomery said. “We feel we’re getting better. Our habits and details are growing.”

The Bruins, who lost 8-2 in Carolina to the Hurricanes last Thursday, have experienced significant roster turnover in recent years — Patrice Bergeron’s retirement before last season was the biggest change — but the likes of captain Brad Marchand and sniper David Pastrnak remain focal points.

Even those veterans have had tough starts.

Marchand, whose contract situation remains unresolved with unrestricted free agency looming next summer, was chewed out by Montgomery last month when a giveaway led to a goal. Pastrnak was then benched for the third period of Sunday’s 2-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken after a similar turnover at an inopportune time.

Carlo said the leadership group’s ability to handle tough moments, even personal ones, trickles down the lineup when the temperature is turned up.

“I’m trying to lead by example in that way and not come to the rink with a frown on my face,” said the blueliner in his ninth NHL season. “It’s hard when it’s not as fun coming into the rink and having to look over video, but I feel like we’re learning step by step.

“We’re very blessed to play in this league and do what we do. Might as well enjoy it.”

The Bruins’ path the last two seasons didn’t end in success.

They blew a 3-1 series lead and were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers in 2023. The same club bested Boston again last spring in the second round on the way to winning the Stanley Cup.

“We’ve always started off really well, top of the league,” Bruins forward Trent Frederic said. “It hasn’t worked out … maybe this is a different little route we’ll take. Not how you draw it up.

“But it’s not bad to face adversity.”

WHO’S WATCHING?

The Winnipeg Jets improved to an NHL-best 12-1-0 with Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, but only 12,932 fans were in attendance at the 15,325-seat Canada Life Centre.

That followed a gathering of 12,912 for Sunday’s 7-4 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the league’s smallest arena.

The Jets have topped 15,000 tickets sold just once this season when 15,225 people were in the building for an Oct. 28 visit by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PETTEY’S PROBLEM

Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson signed an eight-year, US$92.8-million contract extension in March.

Things have not gone according to plan since pen hit paper.

Despite finding the scoresheet Tuesday for just the fifth time this season, the 25-year-old has only eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 44 combined regular-season and playoff games since agreeing to his new deal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

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Joshua Clipperton’s weekly NHL notebook is published every Wednesday.

Chad Kelly and the Toronto Argonauts can flip the script versus the Montreal Alouettes.

Toronto visits Montreal on Saturday in an East Division final rematch. Last year, the Alouettes forced nine turnovers — returning two of Kelly’s four interceptions for TDs — in a stunning 38-17 road win before downing Winnipeg 28-24 in the Grey Cup.

That loss tarnished an otherwise stellar season for both Toronto and Kelly. The Argos posted a 16-2 record while Kelly was the league’s outstanding player.

This year, though, Montreal (league-best 12-5-1 record) finished comfortably atop the East. Toronto (10-8) needed a late-season win over Ottawa (9-8-1) to clinch second and home field for last weekend’s 58-38 division semifinal win over the Redblacks.

Kelly passed for 358 yards with four TDs and ran for another in that game. Ottawa’s Dru Brown threw for 487 yards and three touchdowns but both of his interceptions were returned for scores.

Toronto captured the season series with Montreal 2-1, winning with both Cameron Dukes and Kelly at quarterback. Dukes was 1-1 versus the Alouettes while Kelly served his league-imposed suspension for violating its gender-based violence policy.

The league reinstated Kelly in August. He played in Toronto’s 37-31 home win over Montreal on Sept. 28, completing 19-of-30 passes for 287 yards with an interception while rushing three times for 25 yards.

Toronto’s ground game anchored that victory. The Argos ran for 234 yards (7.8-yard average) and accumulated 517 net offensive yards.

The run has been important for Toronto, which finished the regular season second overall in rushing (121.3 yards per game). The Argos cracked the 100-yard plateau on the ground in all three games versus Montreal.

The Alouettes’ stellar defence finished second in fewest offensive points allowed (21 points per game) and features standout linebackers Tyrice Beverette (CFL-best 137 defensive plays) and Darnell Sankey (third overall in tackles with 107). But it was seventh against the run (115.9 yards per game) and eighth in yards per rush (5.7).

However, Montreal does dare teams to run, especially on first down, because even a six-yard gain still sets up a passing situation on second down. The Alouettes were second in pass defence (267.1 yards per game) and tops in fewest 30-yard completions (14) and TD passes (17) allowed.

Montreal finished last in net offence (332.9 yards per game) and fifth in offensive points (24.1). Cody Fajardo missed five starts due to injury but still was the most accurate starter (73.2 per cent) and had 16 TDs against just seven interceptions.

Montreal didn’t skip a beat with either Davis Alexander (4-0) or Caleb Evans (1-0) under centre. The Alouettes also recorded a CFL-high 36 completions of 30-plus yards while Toronto allowed a league-worst 36 but still led the CFL in sacks (48).

Montreal ended its regular season with consecutive losses but did have first place clinched and is coming off a bye week. The Alouettes are 6-3 at home while Toronto is 3-6 away from BMO Field.

Pick: Montreal.

West Division final: Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Saturday night)

At Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers look to earn a fifth straight West Division final victory. Saskatchewan has dropped its last eight games in Manitoba and lost the season series 2-1.

Canadian Brady Oliveira ran for 1,353 yards and had six 100-yard games — both league-highs — but Saskatchewan held him to under 50 yards rushing in all three matchups this season. Then again, the Riders allowed a league-low 80.3 yards per game on the ground.

Saskatchewan also led the CFL in forced turnovers (49), fumbles forced (17) and recovered (14) while ranking second in interceptions (24) and tackles for loss (37). Rolan Milligan Jr. led the league in interceptions (eight) and defensive take-aways (eight).

Winnipeg’s defence led the CFL in fewest offensive points (19.9 per game), net offensive yards (328.6) and passing yards (234.8). It did allow rushing yards (104.2 per game, 5.3 per carry) but like Montreal counters with a solid aerial game plan.

Riders’ starter Trevor Harris can certainly find holes in a defence and Saskatchewan’s running game features the two-headed monster of A.J. Ouellette and Ryquell Armstead.

Winnipeg starter Zach Collaros, twice the CFL’s outstanding player, was second in passing yards (4,336) but had nearly as many interceptions (15) as touchdowns (17). Collaros and Fajardo were both sacked 34 times, tied for most among league starters.

Winnipeg certainly has a big weapon in kicker Sergio Castillo, who twice hit from 60 yards out this year, a league first. Castillo was the CFL’s best from 50-plus yards (11-of-16) and made 38-of-39 converts.

An intangible, though, is Winnipeg’s Mike O’Shea, twice the CFL’s coach of the year. The Bombers under O’Shea are not only well coached but disciplined as they averaged 5.3 penalties for 49.1 yards per game this year, both league lows.

Winnipeg was 7-3 within the West and 6-3 at home whereas Saskatchewan was 5-5 versus division opponents and 4-4-1 on the road.

Pick: Winnipeg.

Last week: 2-0.

CP’s overall record: 51-32.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2023.