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.

Hundreds of people were in attendance at Downtown Los Angeles’ iconic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for a solemn service led by Archbishop Jose´ Gomez.

Valenzuela's son and his former catcher Mike Scioscia were scheduled eulogists for the public funeral, which was being held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.