It was only last month that Fernando Valenzuela, 63, the beloved Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who started Fernandomania, died of a mysterious illness.
A recently released copy of her death certificate clears up much of the mystery: According to it, the underlying cause of Valenzuela’s death may have been related to liver disease and liver failure.
The certificate, first reported by TMZ, cited septic shock, decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as the underlying causes. The certificate also suggests that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may also have contributed to his death. A rare and fatal brain disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob causes changes in brain tissue and affects muscle coordination and memory, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The latest details come three weeks after Valenzuela’s death and days after a public funeral Mass was held for him at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.
Since his death on October 22, Dodgers fans have celebrated the life of the legendary pitcher who meant so much to Angelenos, especially in the Latino community.
An informal memorial was created outside Dodger Stadium after news of his death broke. Dodgers fans placed blue and white flower arrangements and propped up his No. 34 jersey in front of the stadium. The Dodgers, who retired his number last year, honored his memory before Game 1 of the World Series, three days after his death.
A mural honoring Valenzuela was recently unveiled in Boyle Heights. Robert Vargas’ huge mural offers three different views of the pitcher, including one of his unique kick and his gaze skyward during his windup.
