DALLAS — Texas Rangers Hall of Fame radio announcer Eric Nadel will be missing the start of the season to undergo mental health treatment.
In a statement released via Twitter, Nadel said he is dealing with anxiety, depression and insomnia, all of which are preventing him from doing the job he loves.
“I am receiving treatment as I go through the healing process and encourage others with similar issues to reach out for help,” Nadel said in his statement.
According to USA Today, this will be Nadel’s 29th season with the Rangers. The only sportscasters to have stuck with their team longer than him are Denny Matthews with the Kansas City Royals and Bob Uecker with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Nadel expressed his appreciation for announcers Matt Hicks and Jared Sandler for the “superb job they are doing in [his] absence.”
“Rangers’ management has been wonderful to me. I thank them for their concern, kindness and understanding. Rangers’ fans have always given me tremendous support, and I ask for their continued support at this time and in the future,” Nadel said.
While no date has been set for this return, the Texas Rangers tweeted in response to Nadel’s statement, “We look forward to your return to the radio booth!”
Nadel has been a part of the Rangers family since 1979, and was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He became the 15th member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in August 2012.