Horse Racing
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler robbed of six-figure watch at race track
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler was the victim of a robbery when he and his wife, McKenzie Marcinek, visited the Santa Anita Park race track in Arcadia, Calif., last month.
Buehler, who is set to take the mound Tuesday for Game 3 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and Padres, was “unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery of his watch” on Sept. 27, his reps told TMZ in a statement.
“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,” the statement read.
The incident occurred when the couple was surrounded by fans at Santa Anita Park and someone allegedly unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and took his watch. The piece is believed to be valued at over $100,000, according to ABC7.
The Dodgers had no comment when reached by ABC7.
Buehler’s reps added the incident unfolded when he and a few teammates stayed home during the Dodgers’ regular-season series against Colorado to prepare for the postseason.
A day before the alleged robbery, the Dodgers topped the Padres 7-2 on Sept. 26 to win the NL West title — their 11th in 12 seasons.
Buehler, a Kentucky native, has been a fan of horse racing since he was a kid.
The two-time All-Star pitcher has a micro-share ownership in the American Thoroughbred racehorse Authentic.
The Dodgers beat the Padres in Game 1 of the NLDS, 7-5, before getting blown out by the Padres in Game 2 on Sunday, 10-2.
Buehler is expected to start Game 3 of the Dodgers-Padres playoff series on Tuesday in San Diego.