Alanna Rizzo leaves the Dodgers

The constants of the Dodgers beat continue to change. The latest is Alanna Rizzo, who has reported on games and in studio for SportsNet LA since its inception, has decided to leave the Dodgers.

“For the first time ever, I’m putting my personal life above my professional one,” Rizzo said in a statement on Wednesday. “I’m not retiring. I am moving on to another chapter that allows me to be nearest to the ones I love most. As much as this decision has gutted me and as much as I agonized about making it, nobody ever wished they would have worked more when they’re lying on their deathbed.”

Rizzo will spend more time with her charitable foundation, Guidry’s Guardian, which finds homes for dogs and supports organizations that help fostering and adopting pets.

She was with SportsNet LA for seven seasons, a constant force in pre- and postgame scrums in the dugout and clubhouse, in addition to work on shows before and after games both from the field and in studio, as well as in-game reporting. Rizzo has an incredible work ethic and was always willing to help others. SportsNet LA has its hands full in trying to fill her shoes.

“Alanna was a source of news, insight and friendship for so many in the Dodger family, bringing to life behind the scenes stories, consoling us after heartbreaking losses and helping to celebrate a World Championship – a fitting finale to her tenure,” said Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen. “We will miss her, and send our best wishes for the next chapter of her life and career.”

With Ken Gurnick retiring from MLB.com in December, and now Rizzo leaving her role, that’s a sizable shift in Dodgers game coverage.

Links

• Keibert Ruiz was rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best catching prospect in baseball.
• Michael Busch was ranked by BA as the fifth-best second base prospect in baseball.
• Even though nobody was elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA this year, Jay Jaffe at FanGraphs broke down the results of everyone on the ballot.
• The Giants are interested in free agent Joc Pederson, Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle writes.
• Dave Roberts reiterated the Dodgers’ need for a right-handed bat and his admiration for Justin Turner in an interview with MLB Network Radio.