By Alfredo Di Cesare
02 Oct 2024, 18:23 PM EDT
What was initially revealed by La Opinión de Los Ángeles exclusively was confirmed this Wednesday. The Dodgers announced in a statement that Mexican legend Fernando Valenzuela is leaving radio broadcasts due to health problems.
The team was quite cautious in the words issued in their writing. They did not specify exactly what condition the former pitcher is suffering from due to an express family request. They also did not confirm whether it is a temporary or permanent withdrawal.
“Fernando Valenzuela is going to step away from the Dodgers’ radio broadcast booth for the rest of the season to focus on his health,” they reported in X.
“He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of the fans. “He will do everything possible to return for the 2025 season. His family has asked for privacy during this time,” they added.
Last Monday, journalist Ricardo López Juárez was the first to reveal the news of the legendary Mexican pitcher’s illness. Since he was 42 years old, Valenzuela has been dedicated to broadcasting Dodger radio broadcasts in Spanish.
Currently, he is 63 and after 21 seasons in front of the microphones, he will pause his activity as a sports analyst to focus on his health.
The legend of the “Bull”
Fernando Valenzuela, known as “El Toro”, is one of the most iconic Mexican baseball players in the history of the Major Leagues. Born on November 1, 1960 in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico, he began his professional career in the Mexican Central League before being discovered by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He debuted in the Major Leagues on September 15, 1980 and quickly became a sensation. In 1981, he had a dream season, winning both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards, being the only player to achieve this feat in the same season.
He was called to six All-Star Games and won two Silver Bats and a Gold Glove. His Major League record includes 173 wins and 153 losses, with a 3.54 ERA and a total of 2,074 strikeouts. Additionally, he threw a no-hitter on June 29, 1990.
Valenzuela played for several teams throughout his 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, including the Dodgers, California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.
After retiring on July 14, 1997, Valenzuela continued to contribute to baseball as a commentator and coach. In 2019, the Dodgers retired his number 34, an honor reserved for the greatest in team history.
Keep reading:
· Fernando Valenzuela on the retirement of his legendary number 34 with the Dodgers: ‘I don’t consider it to be mine’ [Video]
· Historical Mexican: Julio Urías equaled Fernando Valenzuela’s mark
· They do justice to Fernando Valenzuela in Mexico