At the age of 63, the enduring Dodger great, Fernando Valenzuela, endeared to so many baseball fans as ‘El Toro,’ passed away. Today we will discuss about Fernando Valenzuela: Cause of death| How did die| Health.
Fernando Valenzuela: Cause of death| How did die| Health
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea, spanish pronunciation, November 1, 1960 – October 22, 2024, was a professional pitcher from Mexico. He played 17 baseball seasons in the Major leagues from 1980 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997. He played for several MLB teams, but the longest time played, was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He swung and pitched both hands left. Career statistics include a win-loss record of 173 – 153 with respect to an earned run average of 3.54. His career WAR totals 41.5 (Baseball-Reference) which is the most in terms of MLB players born in Mexico. Valenzuela’s windup was unique and he was among the few throwers who were master at mixing up a placement of a screwball pitch on a regular basis. And although never one to have velocity in his pitches, the Dodgers thought he had to work on one particular pitch; in 1979 Bobby Castillo, his teammate taught him how to throw a screwball.
Born: November 1, 1960 Etchohuaquila, Mexico |
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Died: October 22, 2024 (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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Batted: Left
Threw: Left
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MLB debut | |
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September 15, 1980, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 14, 1997, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 173–153 |
Earned run average | 3.54 |
Strikeouts | 2,074 |
Teams | |
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Cause of death
Fernando Valenzuela, one of the great pitchers for the Dodgers, died at the age of 63 following a three week hospitalization. His cause of death has not been made public, although this unfortunate news comes just a few days ahead of World Series 2024, where the LA Dodgers, the team Valenzuela once played for, will face the New York Yankees. Born in Sonora, Mexico, Valenzuela not only dominated but became a phenomenon in North America in the 1980s, bringing about “Fernandomania” as a result of his excellent rookie season in 1981 where he managed to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards.
How did die
The baseball community is grieving the loss of a true icon, Fernando Valenzuela, or “El Toro” as fans around the world called him as, he passed away at the age of 63 earlier today.
Valenzuela hails from Mexico’s Etchohauquila in Sonora and was quite recently the recipient of the 2020 MLB winner’s rings, in addition to announcing the Dodgers while up until recently. The 63-year-old had held out hopes of coming back for the 2025 season but sadly his plans are cut short.
The man who ceaselessly drew crowds throughout the 80s – “Fernandomania”, spent most of his career with the Dodgers – out of his 17 years in the Major League Baseball, he played for 11 seasons with the blue team, helping them achieve a world series in 1981.
He used to be famous for his peculiar throwing style which consisted of a high leg kick and a wind-up, before unleashing mesmerizing screwballs that left most batters in hopelessness. After his retirement, he still remained one of the top players in the entire franchises history with top 10 rankings in victories, shutouts, innings, strikeouts, starts, and completes.
Health
Fernando Valenzuela, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is taking a break from his broadcasting duties and will be focusing on his health. The Dodgers released a statement confirming the news on Thursday.
“Despite being a part of the Dodger broadcast. Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do –– I’m staying away from here as a broad caster for this year,” the club said. “He is moreso appreciated by all ashe and his family ask for some level of discretion in this period focusing primarily on getting back for the 2025 season.”
Dodgers fans have not heard Valenzuela for at least a couple of weeks but a reason for this absence has not been communicated. However, on Monday sports journalist David Faitelson published that Valenzuela had recently been hospitalized which explains his absence from the games.