Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ legendary Spanish-language play-by-play man Jaime Jarrín will be retiring after next season, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the team.
Jarrín began broadcasting for the Dodgers in the club’s earliest day’s in Los Angeles. He began calling Dodgers games in 1959 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, becoming just the second Spanish-language announcer to receive the honor.
Jarrín announced his decision on Tuesday, saying he wants to spend more time with his two sons and grandchildren as well as travel. He turns 86 in December. Jarrín’s son, Jorge, retired in February, ending the first father-son duo to broadcast baseball on MLB Spanish-language radio.
Perhaps more than any other major league team, it is the Dodgers’ Latino fanbase that makes it unique in the sport, and Jarrín has played a major role in growing and serving that community.
A native of Ecuador, Jarrín arrived in the United States as a 19-year-old on June 24, 1955 — the same day the legendary Sandy Koufax made his Major League debut at age 19 for the then-Brooklyn Dodgers.
Jarrín was the director of news and sports at Spanish language radio station KWKW when the Dodgers moved to the West Coast and began broadcasting games on KWKW in 1958. In ’59, he joined KWKW’s Dodgers broadcast team, beginning a tenure with the organization that has lasted more than six decades.
Reaction from the Dodgers’ family was immediate, and none more touching than from Jarrín’s fellow legend Vin Scully. “Los Angeles has been so lucky to have enjoyed the talents of Jaime Jarrin for over six decades,” Scully said in a tweet on Tueday. “I’m thrilled my dear pal will get to spend precious time with his family in retirement. All the best to you Jaime.”
We’re with Vin on this one.
