Dodgers Radio Veteran Charley Steiner Battles Illness

Longtime Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner has been absent from the booth due to his ongoing health struggles.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:55pm

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Charley Steiner, the veteran radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been largely absent from the team's broadcasts in recent seasons as he continues to battle multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Steiner, who has been with the Dodgers since 2005, last called a full game in 2024 before his health issues forced him to step back. The Dodgers have kept Steiner on staff and continue to support him, much like they have done with other players facing personal challenges.

Why it matters

Steiner's absence from the Dodgers' radio booth is a significant loss for fans who have grown accustomed to his distinctive voice and storytelling over the years. His battle with cancer also highlights the human side of professional sports and the challenges that even high-profile figures can face in their personal lives.

The details

In October 2024, longtime Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke detailed Steiner's fight with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Plaschke described Steiner's debilitating symptoms, including constant lower back pain, significant weight loss, and the need for full-time nursing care. While Steiner's cancer was in remission at the time, his limited game appearances since then suggest his health struggles are ongoing.

  • In October 2024, Bill Plaschke wrote a column detailing Steiner's battle with multiple myeloma blood cancer.
  • Steiner called six innings on opening day in 2025 and three innings on opening day in 2026.

The players

Charley Steiner

A veteran radio broadcaster who has been the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2005, but has been largely absent from the booth in recent seasons due to his ongoing battle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Rick Monday

Steiner's longtime radio partner, who has said that Steiner has "gone through hell" during his health struggles.

Bill Plaschke

A columnist for the Los Angeles Times who wrote a detailed article in October 2024 about Steiner's battle with multiple myeloma.

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What they’re saying

“He endured constant debilitating lower back pain. He lost 50 pounds. He was confined to a wheelchair. He initially moved his bed from the second floor of his Westside home down to the family room because he couldn't climb the stairs. He enlisted the full-time help of nurses. It wasn't pretty.”

— Bill Plaschke, Columnist

“He's gone through hell.”

— Rick Monday, Steiner's longtime radio partner

What’s next

The Dodgers have continued to support Steiner during his health challenges, and fans are encouraged to send messages of support and well-wishes to the veteran broadcaster.

The takeaway

Charley Steiner's ongoing battle with multiple myeloma serves as a reminder of the human side of professional sports and the challenges that even high-profile figures can face in their personal lives. The Dodgers' continued support for Steiner is a testament to the organization's commitment to its employees and the importance of empathy and compassion in the sports world.