Former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Guillermo “Willie” Hernández, who achieved the American League MVP award, AL Cy Young award, and World Series championship in 1984 during his 13-year MLB career, passed away on Monday night.
Hernández, aged 69, succumbed to heart conditions at his residence in Sebring, Florida, as reported by La Primera Hora. His funeral service is set to take place in Aguada, Puerto Rico, his birthplace 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.”
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.
Hernández is one of ten players to win the MVP and Cy Young in the same season, among them Don Newcombe, Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Bob Gibson, Rollie Fingers, Roger Clemens, Dennis Eckersley, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw.
Three of those players — Fingers, Hernández, and Eckersley — were relievers. Both Fingers and Eckersley were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
“Willie Hernández was a great teammate, and I’m terribly sorry to hear 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.”
In the 1984 season, Hernández posted a 1.92 ERA and 32 saves across 140⅓ innings in 80 games out of the bullpen, finishing 68 of them. He also appeared in six postseason games, including three games, 5⅓ innings, and two saves in the World Series.
Hernández, a left-hander, pitched the final two innings of the 1984 World Series. He faced eight batters and secured an 8-4 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 5 at Tiger Stadium.
He also picked up the save in Game 3 of the World Series.
“Tigers longtime closer Mike Henneman has the best Sparky Anderson lesson
The Tigers acquired Hernández (and Dave Bergman) from the Philadelphia Phillies in March 1984, trading away Glenn Wilson and John Wockenfuss. Before the trade, Hernández played for the Chicago Cubs (1977-83) and the Phillies (1983).
Hernández spent his final six seasons, from 1984-89, as a member of the Tigers. He made the AL All-Star team in 1984, 1986, and 1987, registering a 2.60 ERA and 87 saves across 335⅔ innings in 218 games during the three-year stretch.
In his 13-year MLB career, Hernández had a 3.38 ERA with 147 saves and 778 strikeouts over 1,044⅔ innings in 744 games. He tacked on a 1.32 ERA with three saves and seven strikeouts over 13⅔ innings in 10 postseason games.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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