Current:Home > NewsDodgers legend and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela on leave to focus on health -Clarity Finance Guides
Dodgers legend and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela on leave to focus on health
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:53:01
Former Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from his role as a Spanish-language radio broadcaster to "focus on his health," the team said Thursday in a statement.
"Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health," the Dodgers said in the statement that was posted to their social media accounts. "He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time."
Valenzuela had been absent from Dodger broadcasts for several weeks now, though details about the reason had not been given. On Monday, prominent Mexican sports journalist David Faitelson reported that Valenzuela had been hospitalized.
He has been a member of the team's broadcast booth since 2003.
Valenzuela, 63, was born in Navojoa, Mexico and became an instant fan favorite for the Dodgers, as he inspired the city's heavily Hispanic population to flock to Dodger fandom. In 1981, he sparked what became known as "Fernandomania," when he won both the National League Rookie of the Year award and the NL Cy Young. Valenzuela played 11 of his 17 MLB seasons with the Dodgers.
All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
In August 2023, the Dodgers held a three-day ceremony during a series against the Colorado Rockies in which the franchise retired Valenzuela's No. 34 jersey. Though it hadn't been officially retired prior to the ceremony, no Dodgers player had worn it since Valenzuela left the organization in 1991. Los Angeles broke with tradition to retire the jersey, as the franchise has a rule that requires players to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame to have their jersey retired.
Valenzuela was a six-time All-Star, a member of the 1981 Dodgers World Series championship team and also won a Gold Glove in addition to his Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. In his 17 seasons, Valenzuela posted a 173-153 record, with 31 shutouts, 2,074 strikeouts and a 3.54 earned run average.
The Dodgers will open their National League Division Series Saturday against the San Diego Padres.
veryGood! (19639)
Related
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- FDA gives Florida green light to import drugs in bulk from Canada
- Golden Gate Bridge has safety nets to prevent jumping deaths after 87 years
- Brazil postpones visa requirements for U.S., Canada and Australia citizens to April
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Hailey Bieber Shares Cheeky Glimpse Into Tropical Holiday Vacation With Husband Justin Bieber
- Trump returns to Iowa 10 days before the caucuses with a commanding lead over the Republican field
- 100 New Jersey firefighters battle blaze at former Singer sewing machine factory
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- FDA gives Florida green light to import drugs in bulk from Canada
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Jobs report for December will likely conclude another solid year of US hiring in 2023
- Christopher Nolan recalls Peloton instructor's harsh 'Tenet' review: 'What was going on?'
- Global food prices declined from record highs in 2022, the UN says. Except for these two staples
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- New round of Epstein documents offer another look into his cesspool of sexual abuse
- From Week 1 to 18, see how NFL power rankings have changed and this weekend's schedule
- FDA gives Florida green light to import drugs in bulk from Canada
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
US fugitive accused of faking his death to avoid rape charge in Utah is extradited from Scotland
This week on Sunday Morning (January 7)
Some Georgia Republicans who sank an education voucher bill in 2023 aren’t changing their minds
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Western Japan earthquakes have claimed 100 lives; rain and snow imperil already shaky ground
In Texas case, federal appeals panel says emergency care abortions not required by 1986 law
Microsoft adding new PC button in its first significant keyboard change in decades