Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Based on ESPN's 30 for 30 series, a documentary on pitcher Fernando Valenzuela's influence on the Los Angeles Dodgers fanbase.
Liked
The history lesson.
Thoughts
I was late to the Fernando party, so this film definitely taught me some good stuff.
Excellent choice by the documentarians to give a history background about the city of L.A. I was fascinated by the controversial conversion of Chavez Ravine into Dodgers stadium, Chicano-related racial tensions in Southern California, and why Mexican-Americans and baseball did not mix before Valenzuela.
This helped set up the rest of the story. The wealth of footage, pictures, and interviews chronicled how he took baseball by storm and re-created interest from Americans post-strike and Mexican-Americans. One thing I felt they glossed over was if he truly healed wounds.
Living in L.A. right now, Dodgers and Latino culture feel like one. But what about those who still remember Chavez Ravine?
What I would change
See above.
