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Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela died of septic shock, according to his death certificate obtained by TMZ Sports on Tuesday (November 12).
Valenzuela, 63, was also reported to have dealt with decompensated alcohol cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes of death. The Mexico native, who took Major League Baseball by storm with 'Fernandomania' while winning the National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards during 1981 World Series season, died days before the current Dodgers team began Game 1 of its eventual 2024 World Series championship run last month.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela," the Dodgers wrote on their X account, along with a graphic that stated, "Fernandomaia por siempre. Fernandomania forever."
Valenzuela spent the first 11 of his 17-season MLB career with the Dodgers, making six consecutive All-Star appearances from 1981 to 1986, as well as leading the National League in wins during the 1986 season, strikeouts in 1981, pitching a no-hitter in 1009 and winning the Silver Slugger Award twice (1981, 1983) and the Gold Glove Award in 1986. The Mexico native also had stints with the then-California Angels (1991), Baltimore Orioles (1993), Philadelphia Phillies (1994), San Diego Padres (1995-97) and St. Louis Cardinals (1997) before returning to the Dodgers as the team's Spanish-language radio color commentator for National League West games and later the Spanish-language feed for SportsNet LA in 2015.