Longtime Padres announcer Leitner taking leave due to cancer
Longtime San Diego Padres announcer Ted Leitner won't be calling games for the organization for the foreseeable future after announcing Tuesday he's taking a leave of absence to undergo treatment for kidney cancer.
The 71-year-old posted on Twitter that his last game, for the time being, will be on Wednesday.
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.
— Ted Leitner (@TedLeitner) May 29, 2018
Leitner will undergo surgery to remove a kidney on Thursday and hopes he can return to the booth later this season.
"I'd love to be back for the next homestand," he told reporters, according to ESPN. "I don't do well being away from the booth and the Padres, so let's make this as short as possible."
Doctors have informed him the cancer hasn't spread, which has Leitner optimistic about a quick return.
"From everything I've been told, the outlook is positive," he said. "My other kidney is apparently healthy. My attitude is let's get this done and return to what I love doing as soon as possible."
Leitner has called games for the Padres since 1980.