Three-Time All-Star and 1984 World Series Champion Willie Hernández Dies at 69

Hernández, Noted for His Role as the Closer on the Dominant 1984 Detroit Tigers, Is Among Just 11 Pitchers to Win the Cy Young and MVP in the Same Year

Willie Hernández, a three-time All-Star relief pitcher who won the 1984 AL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards for the World Series champion Detroit Tigers, has died at the age of 69.
Hernández is best known for his role as the closer on the 1984 Tigers, one of the most dominant teams in the past 40 years, which won the AL East title with a 104-58 mark before sweeping Kansas City in the AL Championship Series and beating San Diego in a five-games World Series.
In the 1984 season, Hernández had a 9-3 record and 32 saves in 33 chances, with a 1.92 ERA over 80 games and 140 1/3 innings. He is among just 11 pitchers to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same year.
Hernández was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 14, 1954, and had a 13-year career in MLB, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers.
He is survived by his wife, Dulce M. Carrasco, and five sons.