Jaime Jarrín was with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park over the weekend, and when the San Diego Padres won Game 4 of the National League Division Series, he signed off from the broadcast booth for the final time in his illustrious career.
Jarrín announced his intention to retire after the 2022 season back in September of last year. That came with no longer calling road games this season so he could begin spending more time with family.
Although Jarrín remained in the Dodgers broadcast booth for NLDS games at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park, he was celebrated by the team during the final weekend of the regular season.
A pregame ceremony featured Senator Alex Padilla, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Gil Cedillo, Fernando Valenzuela, Pepe Yñiguez and Edward James Olmos as speakers, and during that time Jarrín was presented with a key to the city. Garcetti also declared October 1 as Jaime Jarrín day in Los Angeles.
Then prior to the final home game of the regular season, members of the media gathered around Jarrín, who was treated to a heartfelt toast by fellow Dodgers broadcaster Orel Hershiser.
“On behalf of everyone in this room and everyone who has ever encountered you at a baseball game over the last 64 years, of everyone who has been in contact with you professionally, personally, or a fan that has come in contact with you, your warmth, friendship, sincerity and integrity, surpasses everything that anybody could do,” Hershiser said.
“Thank you so very, very much for who you are and what you’ve done for all of us.”
Joe Davis, Hershiser, Valenzuela and Pepe Yñiguez were among those to pose for photos with Jarrín before his cake was cut.
Unfortunately for the longtime Spanish voice of the Dodgers, were wasn’t a World Series sendoff to follow.
However, Jarrín is remaining involved with the organization for the next two years as he transitions to an ambassador role.
Jaime Jarrín’s career with Dodgers
Jarrín began calling Dodgers games in 1959, which was the team’s second season in Los Angeles. Over the course of a Hall of Fame career, Jarrín called three perfect games, nearly two-dozen no-hitters, 26 All-Star Games and 29 World Series.
Among the many accolades Jarrín earned were the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, becoming just the second Spanish-language broadcaster to do so. In 2002, he was inducted into the California Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, and the following year, he was honored in the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum.
The Dodgers inducted Jarrín into the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor in 2018, and earlier this year he received an honorary degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
Jaime and Jorge Jarrín formed the first-ever father-son broadcasting team on MLB Spanish-language radio and were on the call when the Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988.
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