Dodgers' Walker Buehler victim of theft at race track

Field Level Media|published: Tue 8th October, 15:22 2024

Sep 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Police in Southern California confirmed Tuesday that Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was the victim of a theft when a pricey watch was stolen from his arm.

His agency, Excel Baseball, issued a statement Tuesday that said the watch was taken from Buehler as he attended a horse race at Santa Anita Park in suburban Arcadia, Calif.

Multiple reports said the watch was worth $100,000.

"Following Walker's final regular season start on September 27th, he and a number of other players did not travel to Colorado for the final regular season series. That weekend, Walker and his wife McKenzie, were attending horse races at Santa Anita Park," the statement read. "While walking from the (paddock) to their seats, Walker was unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery of his watch. The incident was reported to police and is currently under investigation. We are grateful Walker and McKenzie were not harmed and Walker is focused on the playoffs."

Buehler is scheduled to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series Tuesday night in San Diego. The Padres and Dodgers are knotted at 1-1.

The 30-year-old Buehler was raised in Lexington, Ky., and has an avid interest in horse racing. He was one of the owners of a microshare in Authentic, the Bob Baffert-trained horse that won the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

--Field Level Media