Fernando Valenzuela looks to the side while wearing a baseball glove.

Valenzuela, who was born in Navojoa, Mexico, in 1960, poses for a photo in Vero Beach, Florida, around 1980. Photo: Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Fernando Valenuzela, shown in black and white, signs an autograph while surrounded by people.

Valenzuela signs autographs in Los Angeles in 1980. Valenzuela's stellar rise drew thousands of Mexican American fans to Dodgers Stadium and others across the nation, generating what became known as "Fernandomania." Photo: Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

a young girl gives a kiss to Fernando Valenzuela, who is in his Dodgers uniform.

Valenzuela gets a kiss for a young girl, surrounded by children dressed in Mexican outfits during a Dodger clinic in East Los Angeles on May 16 ,1981. Photo Rick Meyer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela pitches a ball during a game while wearing the Dodgers uniform

Valenzuela pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 20, 1984, in St. Louis, Missouri. Until Valenzuela's arrival, there had been just a few Mexican American baseball greats in Major League Baseball. Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela signs autographs while surrounded by children.

Valenzuela signs autographs before a game on June 17, 1985. He gained national attention in 1981 when he won his first eight games as a rookie, including five by shutout with his unorthodox pitching style. Photo: Richard Mackson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela, in a tan suit, speaks in front of several microphones during a press conference.

Valenzuela speaks during a news conference, February 1986. The dodgers retired his jersey number in 2023 despite a long-standing rule that the team only did so for those who were in the Baseball Hall of Fame, per the Los Angeles Times. Photo: Bernstein Associates/Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela holds up the peace sign and smiles as the sun beams on his face.

Valenzuela waves to fans after throwing the ceremonial first pitch during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela sits with his arms crossed next to Sandy Koufax

Valenzuela and Sandy Koufax look on from the dugout before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on August 10 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Fernando Valenzuela, in a blue suit, smiles while looking to the side

Valenzuela looks on from the dugout before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on August 10 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

In photos: Fernando Valenzuela's storied MLB career

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