Fernando Valenzuela was a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980 to 1991.
The baseball icon retired from playing in 1997 and returned to the Dodgers as a broadcaster in 2003.
Highlights
- Fernando Valenzuela was a professional Mexican baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB.
- Valenzuela passed away on October 22, 2024, at 63, in Los Angeles Hospital after being ill for about a month.
- While the cause of his passing is not known, it is specualted that he was suffering from chronic diabetes for a long time.
In 1977, Valenzuela began his professional baseball career when he signed with the Mayos de Navojoa. Later, he played in the Mexican Central League for Guanajuato Tuzos.
On September 15, 1980, Fernando Valenzuela debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming a sensation during his rookie season with his “Fernandomania.”
Similarly, in 1981, he won the “Rookie of the Year” and “Cy Young Award,” leading the Dodgers to a World Series championship.
Apart from Dodgers, Fernando played for California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Fernando Valenzuela Passed Away At 63 After Being Hospitalized For About A Month
On October 23, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers released a statement on their official X (former Twitter) account announcing the demise of legendary baseball player Fernando Valenzuela.
The tweet writes,
“The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.”
The baseball icon passed away on October 22, 2024, at 63, in Los Angeles Hospital. He had been hospitalized due to an unspecified disease for about a month.
Fernando Valenzuela captivated the baseball world in 1981. His unforgettable year included winning the NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award & a World Series title.
We honor the memory of the Dodgers icon, who passed away Tuesday at age 63, with a look back at “Fernandomania.” pic.twitter.com/oAGgmddlFB
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 23, 2024
Earlier this month, on October 2, the Dodgers informed the fans and viewers about the discontinuity of work as a commentator, Fernando.
In the official release statement, the team wrote,
Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health. He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time.
Moreover, Fernando Valenzuela’s death cause is yet to be disclosed by the concerned authorities, while fans have already noticed the decline of the former player’s health.
On the fans group page on Facebook, one of the members shared his thoughts on August 14, 2024, writing,
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 ?
Answering the questions, another member writes,
He has diabetes last time I heard, and looking at these images, it looks like its taking a toll on him now.
Furthermore, some netizens emphasize the cause of Fernando Valenzuela’s demise might be chronic diseases like cancer or the final stage of diabetes.
However, it is yet to be known how the baseball icon lost his life at the early age of 63. Thus, fans are waiting for the responses of his family and the Dodgers team.
Additional Information
- Fernando Valenzuela’s estimated net worth was around $6 million at the time of his death in October 2024.
- Fernando is survived by his wife, Linda; four children, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, and Maria Fernanda; and seven grandchildren.
- Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children of his parents, Avelino and Maria, who were working-class farmers in Mexico.
