Fernando Valenzuela‘s cause of death has been determined after the Dodgers legend died last month at the age of 63.
According to his death certificate, the broadcaster and former pitched died due to decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis.
The document obtained by TMZ also notes that another probable contributor to Valenzuela’s death was that he suffered from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain disorder. Symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can include severe mental deterioration and dementia as well as involuntary muscle jerks.
Following Valenzuela’s death, MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., issued a statement honoring the baseball legend.
“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation. With his distinctive pitching style, the Dodger left-hander’s rookie season generated so much excitement in the U.S. and his native Mexico that it became commonly referred to as ‘Fernandomania,’” read the statement. “His 1981 season ranks among the most decorated pitching years of all-time as Fernando was the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young Award winner, a Silver Slugger, and a World Series Champion.”
He continued, “As a member of the Dodger broadcasting team for more than 20 years, Fernando helped to reach a new generation of fans and cultivate their love of the game. Fernando will always remain a beloved figure in Dodger history and a special source of pride for the millions of Latino fans he inspired.”
