Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, died of septic shock according to TMZ.
Septic shock, which was listed as the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner’s death certificate, is described by the Mayo Clinic as a “dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs,” when the body responds improperly to an infection.
Also listed on the certificate as underlying causes is decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis.
The medical examiner believes he may have suffered from a rare brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which causes rapid mental decline.
Valenzuela died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Oct. 22 at the age of 63. The Mexican-born pitcher inspired “Fernandomania” when his baseball career kicked off with an electric start.
He died just before the start of the World Series between his Dodgers and the New York Yankees. The Dodgers wore a patch honoring him during the five games, and will continue to do so throughout the 2025 season.
The Dodgers defeated the Yankees to win the World Series for the eighth time in franchise history, and the team’s victory parade and celebration coincidentally took place on what would have been Valenzuela’s 64th birthday.
Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, died of septic shock according to TMZ. Septic shock, which was listed as the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner’s death certificate, is described by the Mayo Clinic as a “dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver […]
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