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Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela passed away on October 22 at the age of 63. According to the death certificate, his immediate cause of death was septic shock. This life-threatening condition occurs when organs fail and blood pressure drops dangerously. The medical examiner cited decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty cirrhosis as the underlying causes.
According to the death certificate of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, the cause of his death last month was septic shock.
Valenzuela, who contributed to the 1981 World Series victory and sparked the phenomenon of “Fernandomania” across the United States, died on October 22nd at the age of 63. TMZ Sports obtained the documents on Tuesday and first reported the cause of death.
The cause of death was not disclosed at the time of his death.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office listed septic shock as the immediate cause of death.
This life-threatening condition occurs when organs fail, leading to dangerously low blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 350,000 people die from the disease each year in the United States.
The medical examiner cited decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty cirrhosis as the underlying causes. It also said Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rapidly progressive brain disorder, was “probably” a key contributing condition to Valenzuela’s death.
The document also indicates that Valenzuela was cremated.
Valenzuela quit his job doing the Dodgers’ Spanish-language television broadcasts just days before the Dodgers began their run toward their eighth World Series championship. Valenzuela’s presence was felt during an emotional victory parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium on what would have been his 64th birthday.
On Vinn Scully Drive, the entrance to Dodger Stadium, fans placed flowers, candles and photos at a memorial in front of a sign at the entrance to the field. Since the news of Valenzuela’s death.
Valenzuela is one of the Dodgers’ all-time franchise leaders in several categories, ranking fourth in complete games (107), fifth in strikeouts (1,759) and sixth in wins (141). He is the only player in major league history to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season, doing so in the 1981 World Series with the Dodgers.
Valenzuela’s 17-year Major League career ended in 1997 after stints in Anaheim, Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Diego and St. Louis. He retired as the all-time leader in wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) among Mexican-born major leaguers.
He won the first eight games of the 1981 season and was shutout in five games. This success sparked a “Fernandomania” boom that continued into the postseason when Valenzuela and the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the World Series. Valenzuela was also on the 1988 Dodger team that defeated the Oakland A’s to win the World Series.
A native of Navajoa, Mexico, he is a member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. His jersey number, 34, was also retired by the Mexican Baseball League.
Last year, the city of Los Angeles issued a proclamation declaring August 11th “Fernando Valenzuela Day.” His jersey number, 34, which appeared in the All-Star team six times, was permanently retired from the team that year.
After leaving the Dodgers after the 1990 season, the high-leg-kicking left-hander pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.
