Fernando Valenzuela leaves Dodgers broadcast booth: report

Legendary pitcher and former Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela has reportedly left the Dodgers' Spanish-language broadcast team indefinitely, according to a report from Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.

The Dodgers declined to provide a reason for Valenzuela's absence and it is unlikely he will return for the playoff broadcasts.

Valenzuela came onto the scene in 1981. His rookie season was unique and left the city of Los Angeles and baseball in an uproar.

In Fernando Valenzuela's incredible season, known as 'Fernandomania', he dominated the stadium and made history. In a single year, he accomplished something no one had ever done before: He won both the National League Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year award.

But his successes didn't stop there. Valenzuela played a crucial role in leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series victory by defeating the New York Yankees in six games and adding a championship ring to his collection.

Even after hanging up his boots, Valenzuela's name continues to captivate fans. The Dodgers even gave him his own bobblehead to honor his legacy. On July 29, 2001, fans at Dodger Stadium were able to relive some of that “Fernandomania” magic at the game against the Colorado Rockies.

As part of a Dodger Greats tribute series, Valenzuela received the bobblehead treatment alongside legends like Tommy Lasorda and Kirk Gibson. What made it even more special was that it marked the 20th anniversary since the start of Fernandomania and showed the impact Valenzuela still has on the Dodgers and their fans.

On August 11, 2023, the Dodgers made Valenzuela's legacy official by retiring his No. 34, kicking off a special three-day celebration at Dodger Stadium called “Fernandomania” weekend.

Valenzuela became only the 12th player in team history to have his number retired. Additionally, he was also inducted into the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor, becoming the 14th to join this exclusive group.

With the addition of Walter O'Malley, the number has now grown to 15, but Valenzuela's legacy with the Dodgers continues to grow, and this celebration was another way to show the lasting impact he had on the franchise.

Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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