When the Los Angeles Dodgers take the field for their postseason opener on Saturday, they’ll do so without one of their franchise legends in the broadcast booth.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers announced that Fernando Valenzuela is stepping away from his duties on the team’s Spanish radio broadcasts to focus on his health.
“Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodgers broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health,” the Dodgers wrote in a statement posted to social media. “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 their privacy during this time.”
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2024
According to multiple reports, the 63-year-old was hospitalized on Tuesday with an unspecified health issue.
A native of Mexico, Valenzuela was a star pitcher for the Dodgers in the 1980s, winning the 1981 National Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. Over the course of his 11 seasons in Los Angeles, he made six All-Star teams and was a part of the Dodgers’ World Series championship seasons in 1981 and 1988.
After being released by the Dodgers following spring training in 1991, Valenzuela spent time with the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. He officially ended his 17-year MLB career following the 1997 season.
Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers as a Spanish radio broadcaster for select games in 2003 and has been a staple of the team’s Spanish radio and television broadcasts ever since. Most recently, he has served as a radio analyst on KTNQ 1020 AM’s Spanish broadcasts of Dodgers games, alongside Pepe Yñiguez and José Mota.
Here’s to hoping for a speedy recovery.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.