ESPN News Services
Oct 8, 2024, 02:00 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- Thieves surrounded Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler last month outside a horse racing track in a Los Angeles suburb and ripped an expensive watch off his arm, police said Tuesday.
Buehler was not threatened during the mugging Sept. 28 at the Santa Anita Park horse racing track in Arcadia, police said. They are investigating two similar episodes the same day that officials said were by organized groups who steal high-end watches in large crowds during events.
Buehler was at the track that day with his wife, McKenzie, and a teammate, starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, to attend the inaugural California Crown races. Buehler, a Lexington, Kentucky, native, is a major horse racing fan.
While walking from the paddock to his seat, Buehler was "unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery of his watch," his agency, Excel Sports Management, said in a statement.
"We are grateful Walker and McKenzie were not harmed and Walker is focused on the playoffs," the agency said.
The Dodgers declined to comment and referred media to the Arcadia police.
The theft came days after Buehler's last regular-season game and a week before the Dodgers began their National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Buehler is slated to start Game 3 of the series against the Padres on Tuesday night in San Diego.
Oct 8, 2024, 02:00 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- Thieves surrounded Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler last month outside a horse racing track in a Los Angeles suburb and ripped an expensive watch off his arm, police said Tuesday.
Buehler was not threatened during the mugging Sept. 28 at the Santa Anita Park horse racing track in Arcadia, police said. They are investigating two similar episodes the same day that officials said were by organized groups who steal high-end watches in large crowds during events.
Buehler was at the track that day with his wife, McKenzie, and a teammate, starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, to attend the inaugural California Crown races. Buehler, a Lexington, Kentucky, native, is a major horse racing fan.
While walking from the paddock to his seat, Buehler was "unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery of his watch," his agency, Excel Sports Management, said in a statement.
"We are grateful Walker and McKenzie were not harmed and Walker is focused on the playoffs," the agency said.
The Dodgers declined to comment and referred media to the Arcadia police.
The theft came days after Buehler's last regular-season game and a week before the Dodgers began their National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Buehler is slated to start Game 3 of the series against the Padres on Tuesday night in San Diego.
