San Diego Padres radio voice Ted Leitner announced on Twitter that he has cancer and will be stepping away from the broadcast booth indefinitely. The 71-year old Leitner has called Padres games since 1980. He underwent surgery Thursday after calling Wednesday’s Padres game.
Here’s what Leitner posted on Twitter: “Have always tried to be honest with the radio & TV audience. So will do that now also: I have cancer-and will be off the #Padres broadcast indefinitely after Wednesday’s game. Thank you Padres fans and #aztecfamily for all your support all these wonderful years.”
In a statement Padres executives Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler said, “We wish our dear friend Ted Leitner a speedy recovery from surgery. While we’ll miss hearing his voice in the booth over the next few weeks, we know he’ll be back healthy and stronger than ever. Our thoughts and prayers are with him during this time.”
