Fernando Valenzuela, a beloved Dodgers legend, passed away on 22 October at 63. The cause of his death is reported to be uncertain, with discussions surrounding liver complications, cancer, and multi-organ failures.
Fernando Valenzuela unexpectedly left his broadcasting job in September, and rumors were suggesting he may be dealing with cancer or liver disease.
Highlights
- People felt something was wrong when they heard that Fernando Valenzuela left his job and was reportedly hospitalized.
- Everyone shares condolences on Valenzuela using the hashtag #Cancer on social media.
- In 1991, Fernando Valenzuela, a pitcher for the Angels, underwent an angiogram that showed he had a rare condition affecting blood flow to his heart.
He leaves behind his wife, Linda, four children, seven grandchildren, and extended family.
Valenzuela made such a remarkable mark on the game that in 2023, the Dodgers retired his jersey number, breaking their usual rule of honoring only Hall of Fame players.
His baseball career kicked off wildly in 1981, a phenomenon fans celebrated as “Fernandomania.”
Valenzuela’s time with the Dodgers wasn’t always smooth. He had some challenging moments, including a disagreement about his release from the team.
It took him years to fully accept the ambassador role with the organization.
Fernando Valenzuela’s Death Was Linked To Cancer And Liver Disease
On October 21, Alfredo Alvarez, a columnist in El Imparcial, shared on social media that it’s impossible to think of the Dodgers without Fernando Valenzuela.
He mentioned that an interview was conducted in Sonora just before Valenzuela was hospitalized and expressed hope for recovery.
Imposible separar el concepto Dodgers sin Fernando Valenzuela. Esta entrevista se hizo en Sonora poco antes de que fuera hospitalizado. Ojalá se recupere.
— Alfredo Alvarez (@AlfredoAlvarezz) October 21, 2024
Sin duda parte del triunvirato de los más grandes deportistas que dado nuestro país.
Hugo ⚽️ Chávez 🥊 Fernando ⚾️ "El… pic.twitter.com/POnOS58Ncb
Alvarez highlighted Valenzuela as one of the greatest athletes from Mexico, alongside Hugo and Chávez.
He also noted Valenzuela’s kindness and described him as a true gentleman, wishing him all the best for a speedy recovery.
Some people felt something was wrong when they heard that Fernando Valenzuela left his job and was reportedly hospitalized.
Damnit. When I heard #FernandoValenzuela left his job and reportedly went into the hospital, I had a feeling this was coming. Cancer, I guess. RIP.
Reactive
And everyone is sharing their condolences on Valenzuela using the hashtag #Cancer.
At the same time, his cause of death is linked to liver complications. When he was hospitalized in September, fans speculated that the MLB player had severe liver disease and kidney cancer, too.
The Sonoran pitcher lost the battle after several days fighting against liver failure
LA Cronica
Journalist Raúl noted that no one had information about the specific illness Fernando Valenzuela was facing.
Kinda worried about Fernando Valenzuela. He doesn’t look well. Just saw a reel that shows him signing autographs and he looks fragle. Does anyone know his health status ?
Feliz Martinez
However, several people close to the legend reported that he had lost significant weight in recent months and appeared increasingly depressed, ultimately suffering from liver failure.
“No one had any information about the possible illness he was suffering from, however, several people close to the legend assured that in recent months he had lost too much weight and was looking increasingly depressed… he suffered from liver failure.”
The Journalist- Raúl Fraga Juárez
Even Valenzuela’s wife, Linda Burgos, has not commented on the specifics of his cause of death, which is listed as an unspecified illness.
He married a former elementary school teacher in Mexico, Linda Burgos, on December 29, 198.
The couple shared four kids: Maria Fernanda Valenzuela, Linda Valenzuela, Fernando Valenzuela Jr., and Ricardo Valenzuela.
In The Early Nineties, Fernando Valenzuela Had A Heart Complication
In 1991, Fernando Valenzuela, a pitcher for the Angels, underwent an angiogram that showed he had a rare condition affecting blood flow to his heart.
Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died. He was 63.https://t.co/sRfcVxr67w pic.twitter.com/zKDSvt6R0c
— kcranews (@kcranews) October 23, 2024
Dr. Larry Santora, who performed the procedure at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, said the prognosis was good.
He explained that Valenzuela had myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery and suggested that if the medication worked well, he might be able to pitch again in a few weeks.
Additional Information
- Fernando Valenzuela was born the youngest of 12 children in Etchohuaquila, a small town in the Navojoa area of Sonora, Mexico.
- As of 2024, Fernando Valenzuela’s net worth was $6 million, accumulated over his long career in baseball pitching.
- After his impressive debut, fans nicknamed Valenzuela El Toro (the Bull).
- On August 23, 2003, Valenzuela was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony.
