Fernando Valenzuela’s Illness: Understanding the Health Challenges Faced by the Dodgers Legend

Baseball icon Fernando Valenzuela passed away in October 2024 at the age of 63, bringing sadness to fans worldwide. While the immediate details of his illness were initially private, his death certificate later provided clarity on the health challenges he faced. Understanding “Fernando Valenzuela’s illness” involves examining the medical conditions that contributed to his passing.

The Immediate Cause: Septic Shock

According to his death certificate, obtained by TMZ Sports, the immediate cause of Fernando Valenzuela’s death was septic shock. Septic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure and organ malfunction. This condition is severe, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that at least 350,000 people in the U.S. die from it each year.

Underlying Conditions: Cirrhosis and Probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

The death certificate also listed several underlying and contributing conditions to Fernando Valenzuela’s health decline:

• Decompensated Alcoholic Cirrhosis: This indicates advanced liver scarring due to alcohol consumption, where the liver is no longer able to function properly.
• Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis: This refers to liver scarring caused by non-alcohol-related fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver. Both types of cirrhosis point to significant long-term liver disease.
• “Probable” Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): Also listed as a significant contributing condition, CJD is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal degenerative brain disorder. The term “probable” suggests clinical indicators aligned with the disease, even if a definitive diagnosis might have been challenging without further testing.

Earlier reports, shortly after his passing, had mentioned liver cancer as a possible illness. However, his official death certificate clarified the specific conditions contributing to his death as a septic shock due to organ malfunction, stemming from the combination of nonalcoholic and alcoholic cirrhosis, with probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease also playing a role.

A Legacy Beyond the Mound

While details of “Fernando Valenzuela’s illness” shed light on the end of his life, it’s crucial to remember the incredible impact he had during his career. “Fernandomania” captivated baseball fans in 1981 when Valenzuela, a Mexican-born left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made his debut. He famously won both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season, an unprecedented feat.

Valenzuela’s unique pitching style, including his signature screwball and a distinctive skyward glance during his windup, made him a captivating figure. Beyond his impressive statistics—which include 173 wins, 2,074 strikeouts, a no-hitter in 1990, and a World Series championship in 1981—his legacy extends to inspiring millions and significantly boosting Latino interest in Major League Baseball. He remained connected to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language color commentator for many years and his No. 34 jersey was retired by the team in 2023.

The passing of Fernando Valenzuela marked the end of a remarkable life, yet his influence as “El Toro” and a cultural icon endures. Understanding the challenges he faced with his health provides a more complete picture of a beloved figure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fernando Valenzuela’s Illness

What was the immediate cause of Fernando Valenzuela’s death?

According to his death certificate, the immediate cause of Fernando Valenzuela’s death was septic shock— a severe and life-threatening condition caused by the body’s overwhelming response to an infection.

What underlying health conditions contributed to Fernando Valenzuela’s passing?

His death certificate listed several significant contributing conditions, including decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis, and “probable” Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

What is septic shock?

Septic shock is a critical medical condition that occurs when an infection in the body leads to dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure. It is a severe complication of sepsis.

What is cirrhosis, and how did it affect Fernando Valenzuela?

Cirrhosis is irreversible scarring of the liver, which impairs its ability to function. Fernando Valenzuela had both alcoholic cirrhosis (due to alcohol consumption) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis (fat buildup in the liver), indicating significant, long-term liver disease that contributed to his overall health decline.

What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)?

CJD is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative brain disorder. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that accumulate in the brain and lead to irreversible damage. Valenzuela’s death certificate listed it as “probable” CJD.

Was liver cancer involved in Fernando Valenzuela’s illness?

While early reports mentioned liver cancer as a possibility, his official death certificate did not list it as a cause of death. Instead, it specified septic shock as the immediate cause, with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis, and probable CJD as underlying and contributing conditions.