Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela cause of death revealed

It was just last month when 63-year-old Fernando Valenzuela, the beloved Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who sparked Fernandomania, died from an undisclosed illness.

A newly published copy of his death certificate reveals that Valenzuela’s underlying cause of death was possibly related to a liver disease and liver failure.

The certificate, first reported by TMZ, listed septic shock, decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes. The certificate also suggests that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may also have contributed to his death. A rare and lethal brain disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob causes changes in brain tissue and affects muscle coordination and memory, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The latest details come three weeks after Valenzuela’s death and days after a public funeral Mass was held for the former star left-hander at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

Since his death on Oct. 22, Dodgers fans have been celebrating the life of the legendary pitcher who meant so much to Angelenos, especially in the Latino community.

An informal memorial was created outside Dodger Stadium after his death was announced. Dodgers fans placed blue-and-white floral arrangements and propped up his No. 34 jersey in front of the stadium. The Dodgers, who retired his number last year, honored his memory before Game 1 of the World Series three days after he died.

A mural was recently unveiled in Boyle Heights honoring Valenzuela, who pitched for the Dodgers for 11 of his 17 seasons in Major League Baseball. The massive wall painting by Robert Vargas offers three views of the pitcher, including one of his unique high kick and heavenward gaze during his windup.