10 Highlights

• Fernando Valenzuela, legendary Dodgers pitcher, died at 63 from septic shock due to cirrhosis on October 22, 2024. His contribution to baseball remains cherished.
• Valenzuela achieved fame in 1981 with the Dodgers, sparking 'Fernandomania' and enhancing baseball's appeal in the US and Mexico.
• • He expanded his legacy over 22 years as a Dodgers Spanish broadcaster, reinforcing cultural connections and his profound impact.
  • According to Valenzuela's death certificate, cirrhosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was cited as a factor leading to septic shock.
  • Reports highlighted Valenzuela's battles with health issues such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, illustrating his personal hardships.
  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged Valenzuela's unique pitch style and role in attracting a diverse fan base to the sport.
  • Fernando Valenzuela's legacy was celebrated by fans and mariachi tribute performances at a Boyle Heights mural in California.
  • Sergio Mendes, famed Brazilian musician, died on September 5 from acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, as revealed two months later.
  • TMZ obtained Mendes' death certificate, revealing aspiration pneumonia and chronic lung disease exacerbated by long-term COVID struggles.
  • The deaths of Valenzuela and Mendes remind us of the personal challenges faced by public figures, broadening the dialogue on their legacies.