October 5, 2024

Willie Hernández, 1984 AL MVP and World Series champ with Detroit Tigers, dies at age 69

Former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Guillermo “Willie” Hernández, who won the American League MVP award, AL Cy Young award and World Series championship in 1984 as part of his 13-year MLB career, died on Monday night.

He was 69.

Hernández, who suffered from heart conditions after his playing career, died at his home in Sebring, Florida, according to a report from La Primera Hora. Funeral services are expected to take place in Aguada, Puerto Rico, where Hernández was born in 1954.

“The Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Willie Hernández,” the Tigers said in a statement Tuesday. “Our thoughts are with the Hernández family, his friends, and teammates.”

BILL DOW:‘Most underrated player’ in history helped Tigers capture 1984 World Series

Only three players have won the MVP, Cy Young and World Series in the same season: Sandy Koufax in 1963, Denny McLain in 1968 and Hernández in 1984.

Detroit Tigers mourn loss of MVP pitcher Willie Hernandez | Sports |  abc12.com

Hernández is one of 10 players to win the MVP and Cy Young in the same season, along with Don Newcombe in 1956, Koufax in 1963, McLain in 1968, Bob Gibson in 1968, Rollie Fingers in 1981, Roger Clemens in 1986, Dennis Eckersley in 1992, Justin Verlander in 2011 and Clayton Kershaw in 2014. (The Cy Young was first handed out in 1956.)

Three of those players — Fingers, Hernández and Eckersley — worked as relievers. Both Fingers and Eckersley were induced into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

“Willie Hernández was a great teammate, and I’m terribly sorry to hear the news of his passing,” Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, who played for the Tigers from 1977-96, said in a statement Tuesday. “I will never forget our team’s celebration together on the mound after he recorded the final out of the 1984 World Series. He will always be remembered as a World Series champion. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

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