(WWJ) - Former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Guillermo "Willie" Hernández, who helped the Tigers win the 1984 World Series as part of a 13-year career in the MLB, died Monday night.
He was 69.
Hernández died at his home in Sebring, Florida, Tigers spokesman Chad Crunk said Tuesday. The former Tiger had a history of heart conditions after he ended his professional career, although no cause of death was provided.
Funeral arrangements are expected to take place in his hometown of Aguada, Puerto Rico.
"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."
Former Tigers star Alan Trammell expressed his condolences in a statement, calling Hernández "a great teammate."
"I’m terribly sorry to hear the news of his passing,” Trammell continued. “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 this family.”
WWJ and 97.1 the Ticket sports reporter Chris Fillar described Hernández's 1984 World Series run with the Tigers as "one of the greatest one season resumes we've ever seen in baseball."
"1984 -- Tigers pitcher Willie Hernandez made the All-Star game, won the Cy Young, was named MVP and helped Detroit lift the World Series trophy that year, which they haven't done since," Fillar added. "It took the dominant reliever until September of that year to fail protecting a lead."
He was also selected by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America for the "Tiger of the Year" award.
Hernández was acquired from Detroit, along with Dave Bergman, from the Phillies for Glenn Wilson and John Wockenfuss on March 24, 1984.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press at the time, Hernández expressed eagerness to help the team in whatever say he could, stating: "If they want me to come in from the bullpen, I'll do it. If they want me to start, I'll do it. If they want me to DH or steal bases, I'm happy to do it. . . . I'm a winner. I want to play ball in October."
Hernández appeared in 80 games and tallied 68 games finished, not only leading the American League's pitchers, but also setting new team records for the Tigers, his baseball statistics complied by Baseball Reference showed.
Hernández went on to a memorable postseason and snagged the final out off a short fly ball to left field from Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, a pivotal move in an even more pivotal Game 5 that saw the Tigers win the World Series.
Hernandez would go on to make three straight All-Star teams from 1984-86.
In January 1985, Hernández became the highest paid player in team history after signing a four-year extension worth an estimated $4.65 million.
He declined in performance in the following years, which led to mounting disapproval from Tigers fans and sports writers.
Months after a critical column about the highly-paid pitcher was written by Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press, Hernández dumped a bucket of ice water on Albom as the reporter was interviewing teammate Frank Tanana during spring training in Florida, the Lansing State Journal reported at the time.
Hernández finished his career with a 70-63 record and a 3.38 ERA with 788 strikeouts, and 147 saves in 1,044-23 innings pitched.