Before Game 1 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers said a long farewell to Fernando Valenzuela.
The franchise legend, whose number was retired by the team in 2023, died at age 63 four days before the World Series began, on Oct. 22. An extended pregame ceremony featuring Valenzuela’s family on the field preceded the Dodgers’ first of four World Series win over the New York Yankees.
Tuesday, TMZ reported the cause of Valenzuela’s death as septic shock, according to his death certificate. The medical examiner listed decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes.
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A native of Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela made his mark on the sport as the Dodgers marched to the 1981 World Series. That year, he became the first player in MLB history to be named Rookie of the Year and win a Cy Young Award in the same season.
MLB News: Legendary Dodgers Pitcher Passes Away
Valenzuela used his unique, skyward-looking delivery and a special pitch — a screwball — to befuddle hitters as no rookie pitcher had done before. As a 20-year-old, he threw complete games in each of his first eight starts in 1981; five were shutouts. He finished the season 13-7 with a league-leading 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings.
A mural inside Dodger Stadium still stands in tribute to his accomplishments that season.
“All I’ve ever heard growing up in East LA was this man’s name,” retired major league pitcher Ricky Romero wrote on his Twitter/X account. “The reason why we grew up being big Dodger fans. The stories were endless in our household. Que en Paz descanse LEYENDA! 🙏🏽”
“Fernando Valenzuela was a baseball legend who united a generation of Dodgers fans in collective joy, excitement, and awe,” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on her Twitter/X account. “He inspired countless young baseball players — in America, Mexico, and across the world — to pursue their own greatness.
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“As a player, broadcaster, and Angeleno, Fernando Valenzuela left an indelible mark on our nation. Doug (Emhoff, her husband) and I send our prayers to his wife, Linda, as well as their children and grandchildren.”
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Over 17 MLB seasons with the Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, California Angels, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Caridnals, Valenzuela went 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA. Although he never equaled his success as a rookie, Valenzuela made six All-Star teams with the Dodgers and collected a Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger Awards along the way.
According to TMZ, Valenzuela’s death certificate showed that his body was cremated. His funeral was held last week.
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