February 29th, 2016 at 3:49 pm 
by Ron Cervenka When news broke late Saturday morning that Dodgers legend and Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax was leaving his position as special advisor to Dodgers chairman Mark Walter, rumors and speculation began running wild. In fact, we immediately began receiving phone calls, emails, text and direct messages from many of our loyal readers and followers. The biggest concern was, of course, that the 80-year-old Dodger icon might be experiencing health issues.
At the time and up until midmorning on Sunday, there had been no official statement from the Dodgers regarding this sudden, unexpected and heartbreaking news, which prompted my article as to why not. The intent of the article was born out of a legitimate concern for one of the most revered Dodgers in franchise history and most certainly not to cast aspersions on anyone within the Dodgers organization.
Shortly after the article was posted, the Dodgers did, in fact, release a written statement from Koufax himself regarding his decision to retire from his advisory role but remain as a friend of the organization:
“I’m 80 years old and I have retired. I have not quit. I’m still part of the Dodgers’ organization and always will be especially as long as Mark and Kimbra Walter are part of ownership. I will do most of what I have done in the past with no official title. I hope all the players, coaches, manager and everyone else in the clubhouse have successful and healthy seasons with a spectacular ending. See you Opening Day.”
Even though I immediately updated the article to include this written statement, out of respect for Sandy Koufax, Mark and Kimbra Walter and the entire Dodgers organization, I wish to clarify that the Dodgers did not and were not intentionally withholding anything from anyone and that it was ill-timing and presumptuous on my part to suggest otherwise.
Everyone in the Dodgers PR Department have always been up front and forthcoming and I have nothing but the utmost respect for their efforts and diligence, and I acknowledge that it was irresponsible on my part for not contacting them in advance of the article.
I apologize for misleading or otherwise inconveniencing anyone by the article, especially Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers organization as a whole.
Ron Cervenka
ThinkBlueLA.com
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Nice, Ron! More than you had to do, but quite classy.
Fair point since you have access to Dodgers PR folks, but Dodgers failed the shoulda-coulda-woulda test. First, an icon of MLB, not just the Dodgers, is no longer officially with the team. Reasonable to expect a prepared statement as soon as the change occurred rather than an executive VP, Lon Rosen, communicating that Koufax was just visiting and that he was no longer in an advisory role AND that the parting was amicable. A well prepared press release before Koufax arrived at ST communicating his decision to retire seems like a no-brainer from marketing and PR professionals. Gaps in communication always lead to questions.