Fernando Valenzuela’s cause of death is revealed

Aug 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (34) speaks during a news conference prior to his jersey retirement ceremony at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Several weeks after Fernando Valenzuela’s death, some details are emerging.

TMZ Sports reported this week on the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Valenzuela’s cause of death, having obtained a copy of his death certificate. The certificate listed septic shock as the immediate cause of Valenzuela’s death and also mentioned decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes of death.

On top of that, Valenzuela’s death certificate revealed that the medical examiner believed Valenzuela suffered from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain disorder. You can read the full TMZ report here.

A six-time MLB All-Star and former Cy Young winner who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014, Valenzuela died on Oct. 22 at the age of 63. No details were given on his death at the time, and the info was also scarce when it was revealed earlier in the month that Valenzuela would be stepping away from his Dodgers broadcasting duties due to unspecified health issues.

In the wake of Valenzuela’s death, the Dodgers, whom he pitched for from 1980-90, went on to win the World Series over the New York Yankees in five games. The Dodgers also honored Valenzuela throughout the World Series.