LA Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela's cause of death revealed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela’s cause of death has been revealed after he passed away at age 63 on October 22.
According to TMZ, his death certificate revealed the famous pitcher died of septic shock. It also mentioned decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes.
Fernando Valenzuela's remains kept at Forest Lawn Memorial Park
The medical report suggests that Fernando Valenzuela may have been suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is a form of a rare brain disorder.
The official document also stated that Valenzuela was cremated and his remains are now at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where other personalities such as Paul Walker, Carrie Fisher, and Brittany Murphy were laid to rest.
Valenzuela's incredible rise to stardom captivated baseball fans and led to the cultural phenomenon Fernandomania on October 22.
Fernando Valenzuela captivated the baseball world in 1981. His unforgettable year included winning the NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award & a World Series title.
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 23, 2024
We honor the memory of the Dodgers icon, who passed away Tuesday at age 63, with a look back at “Fernandomania.” pic.twitter.com/oAGgmddlFB
MLB pays tribute to Fernando Valenzuela
Major League Baseball announced his death over social media.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, "Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation. With his distinctive pitching style, the Dodgers left-hander’s rookie season generated so much excitement in the US and his native Mexico that it became commonly referred to as 'Fernandomania'."
Valenzuela signed with the LA Dodgers in 1979 and made his MLB debut in 1980 at 19 years old after starting his professional career in Mexico.
He was a six-time All-Star throughout his 17-year career in MLB. He finished his career with 173 regular season wins and over 2,000 strikeouts, per CNN.
The baseball legend played 11 seasons with the Dodgers and had stints with the California Angels, St Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres.
Valenzuela also became the only player in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award in the same season, per the outlet.
The Mexican-born pitcher’s rise to fame transcended past the pitching mound as he also became a cultural phenomenon that gave the Latino community in the United States a role model to root for.
Dodgers retired Valenzuela’s iconic jersey No 34 in 2023, and he became the first player in franchise history to receive the honor without being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
