Fernando Valenzuela, the former major league pitcher, is taking a break from his broadcast duties with the Los Angeles Dodgers to focus on his health. The decision to step away for the rest of the season was announced by the team on Wednesday.
Valenzuela, who is set to turn 64 on November 1, serves as a Spanish language broadcaster for the LA Dodgers. The team has mentioned that he intends to make a comeback for the next season. The Dodgers are gearing up to face either San Diego or Atlanta in Game 1 of their NL Division Series scheduled for Saturday night.
During his illustrious career, Valenzuela spent the majority of his time in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played an integral role in leading the Dodgers to victory in the 1981 World Series. His stellar performance that season earned him both the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year titles, posting an impressive 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts.
As a six-time All-Star, Valenzuela consistently delivered strong performances for the Dodgers, reaching double digits in wins and starts in nine seasons. In 1986, he put up remarkable numbers with a 21-11 record, a 3.14 ERA, and an incredible 20 complete games, finishing as the runner-up to Mike Scott in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
Valenzuela’s last appearance in a big league game was with the St. Louis Cardinals in July 1997. Over the course of his playing career, he notched a record of 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA in 453 games, including 424 starts.
The Dodgers and Valenzuela will now focus on his well-being as he takes this break from broadcasting duties, with hopes of returning for the upcoming season. Fans and colleagues alike are sending well wishes and support to the former pitcher during this time.