LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Dodgers confirmed Wednesday that storied pitcher and now Spanish-language broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will sit out the rest of the season due to an unspecified health problem.
"Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health," according to a statement from the team. "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."
Various media reports surfaced earlier this week indicating that Valenzuela, 63, left the broadcast booth Sept. 24 during the Dodgers series with the San Diego Padres and was hospitalized, although no reason was provided.
After posting a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA in 10 relief appearances as a September call-up in 1980, Valenzuela burst onto the national scene in 1981 when he won his first eight games, five by shutout, and became the only player to win the Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award in the same season. He drew thousands of Mexican-American fans to Dodger Stadium and stadiums throughout the country, sparking a craze known as Fernandomania.
The Dodgers won the World Series over the New York Yankees in six games. Valenzuela was also on the Dodgers team that won the World Series in 1988 over the Oakland A's.
He finished his career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA. He pitched in 453 games and made 424 starts.
After leaving the Dodgers following the 1990 season, he pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.
His No. 34 is one of 12 retired by the Dodgers. He was celebrated during a three-day "Fernandomania" weekend in August 2023. He was also inducted into the Dodgers Ring of Honor, the 14th member of the group.
In his Cy Young Award season of 1981, he led the National League in strikeouts, shutouts, complete games, innings pitched and starts.
He led the National League in wins in 1986 and had a 21-11 record with a 3.14 ERA. He also led the league in complete games and had three shutouts.
He threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1990, the same day Dave Stewart of the Oakland A's threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.
It was the only no-hitter of Valenzuela's career. The Dodgers won the game, 6-0, and Valenzuela struck out seven, walked three and threw 119 pitches. The game ended with one of the late Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully's more memorable calls, "If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky."
Valenzuela, a six-time All Star, went 141-116 with a 3.31 ERA with the Dodgers. He retired from baseball in 1997 and has spent 21 seasons as a Spanish-language broadcaster, teamed most recently with Pepe Yniguez and Jose Mota for the Dodgers.