When the news broke on October 22, 2024, that Fernando Valenzuela had passed away at 63, it felt like a gut punch to Los Angeles and the entire baseball world. Just days before the Dodgers were set to face the Yankees in the World Series, the man who sparked "Fernandomania" was gone. People were confused. He had stepped away from the broadcast booth just weeks earlier, and while everyone knew he was sick, the specifics were kept under wraps.
Honestly, the lack of information at first led to a lot of rumors. Was it a sudden heart attack? Was it cancer? It took a few weeks for the official paperwork to clear the air, but the details in that document painted a much more complicated picture than most expected.
The Cause of Death Fernando Valenzuela: What the Records Say
According to the death certificate released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the primary cause of death Fernando Valenzuela faced was septic shock.
Sepsis is terrifying. Basically, it’s what happens when your body’s response to an infection goes haywire and starts damaging your own organs. It causes blood pressure to plummet, and eventually, the body just can't keep up. For a man who seemed larger than life on the mound, seeing "septic shock" as the final blow is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn.
But sepsis usually doesn't happen in a vacuum. It often hits people whose systems are already fighting an uphill battle.
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The medical examiner didn't just stop at sepsis. The report also listed "decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis" and "nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis" as underlying causes. Having both listed is a bit unique, as they represent different pathways to liver failure. NASH, for example, is often linked to metabolic issues, while the other is self-explanatory. When the liver reaches a "decompensated" state, it means it can no longer perform its essential functions—like filtering toxins or helping with blood clotting.
The "Probable" Mystery in the Report
There was one more detail in the report that really caught people off guard. The medical examiner listed "probable" Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) as a contributing factor.
If you’ve never heard of CJD, you're not alone. It's an incredibly rare, rapidly progressive brain disorder. Some people mistakenly call it "Mad Cow Disease," though the human version is usually spontaneous. It causes memory loss, personality changes, and physical problems that move fast.
Because the report used the word "probable," it suggests that while the doctors saw the clinical signs of CJD—like the rapid cognitive decline Fernando showed in his final weeks—they might not have had the definitive brain tissue biopsy that is usually required for a 100% diagnosis.
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A Timeline of the Legend's Final Days
Valenzuela was a fixture in the Dodgers' Spanish-language broadcast booth for over 20 years. He was "El Toro." He was a hero. So, when he suddenly disappeared from the airwaves on September 24, 2024, during a series against the Padres, fans noticed immediately.
The Dodgers initially put out a very vague statement. They said he was stepping away to focus on his health and hoped to be back for the 2025 season. It felt hopeful. But behind the scenes, he was reportedly hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The decline was fast.
By the time the World Series started, the Dodgers were wearing "34" patches on their sleeves in his honor. He died just three days before Game 1. It was a bittersweet moment for the city; they won the championship, but the man who had been the heart of the franchise's 1981 title wasn't there to see it.
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Why This Matters for Fans Today
Looking back at the cause of death Fernando Valenzuela suffered from, it’s a heavy mix of chronic illness and a sudden, catastrophic infection. Liver disease is a quiet killer. It can simmer for years before a person reaches that "decompensated" stage where the body just gives out.
Many fans wonder if his weight, which was always a topic of conversation during his playing days, played a role. While NASH is often associated with weight and metabolic health, liver health is complex and influenced by genetics and many other factors.
The inclusion of CJD in the report also explains why he had to leave the booth so abruptly. CJD doesn't give you months or years; it strikes in weeks. For a broadcaster whose job is all about mental sharpness and speech, that kind of neurological hit would have made working impossible almost overnight.
Taking Action: Lessons from "El Toro"
While we celebrate the screwball and the skyward glance, Fernando's passing is a reminder of a few critical health points:
- Sepsis is a Medical Emergency: If someone with a chronic illness (like liver or heart issues) suddenly develops a high fever, confusion, or extreme shivering, every second counts.
- Liver Health is Stealthy: Regular blood work that checks liver enzymes is the only way to catch things like NASH or cirrhosis before they reach a point of no return.
- Rare Diseases Need Awareness: CJD is rare, affecting about one in a million people annually, but its rapid nature means families need immediate palliative support when it strikes.
Fernando Valenzuela was more than a stat line. He was a cultural icon who changed the face of baseball in Southern California. While the medical details of his passing are clinical and harsh, they don't change the legacy of the 20-year-old kid who took the world by storm in 1981.
If you want to honor his memory, consider supporting organizations that focus on liver disease research or community health initiatives in the Latino community, where "Fernandomania" first took root. Keeping an eye on your own metabolic health and getting regular checkups is perhaps the most practical way to respect the man who gave so much of himself to the game.