A young Valenzuela signed his first professional contract at 17 for $5,000. Here, he is pictured pitching at age 15.

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Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws a shut out against Houston on April 9, 1981.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela blows bubbles as he passes the time in the dugout during the rain delay before Game 5 of the NLCS against the Montreal Expos on Oct. 18, 1981.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rusty Kennedy / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Valenzuela salutes the crowd after pitching a three-hit shutout for his eighth consecutive victory to start the 1981 season.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rob Brown / Herald Examiner Collection

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Dodgers third baseman Ron Cey and Valenzuela greet each other after the last out of the Dodgers' 5-4 victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series at Dodger Stadium. ValenzuelaÕs win gave the Dodgers a 2-1 series lead.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela raises a magnum of champagne as the Dodgers toast their NL West division series playoff victory against the Houston Astros in a clubhouse celebration on Oct. 12, 1981.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Valenzuela races with Mike Scioscia, who spoke Spanish and was able to communicate effectively with Valenzuela on the mound.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Meyer / Los Angeles Times

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Fernando Valenzuela shares a moment with longtime Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda before the 1983 season.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela waves to the crowd the day after pitching the only no-hitter of his career, on June 29, 1990, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Jim Ruymen / UPI

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Valenzuela pitched for the Angels during the 1991 season after he was released by the Dodgers before the season began.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela returns to Dodger Stadium as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, but he loses to Orel Hershiser and the Dodgers, 3-1, before 54,167 at Dodger Stadium on July 3, 1994.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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Valenzuela is doused with beer by teammate Rickey Henderson, right, after the San Diego Padres' 2-0 victory over the Dodgers on Sept. 29, 1996, gave them the NL West division title.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press

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Pedro Guerrero, left, Fernando Valenzuela, center, and Steve Garvey participate in a pre-game celebration at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 16, 2006 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1981 World Series title team.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela greets other former Dodgers who were brought out during a pregame ceremony before the home opener against the San Francisco Giants in 2008.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela is now a color commentator for the Dodgers on a Spanish-language radio station in Los Angeles. Here he sits in the press box with fellow broadcaster Pepe Yniguez.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times

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Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium on March 24. It's the 30th anniversary of Fernandomania, which spawned a whole new generation of Dodgers fans.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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