Vin Scully is not the only beloved Dodgers Hall of Fame announcer planning on returning next season.
The Dodgers announced Friday that Jaime Jarrin would be back for a 55th season next year as the team’s lead Spanish-language broadcaster. Jarrin agreed to a three-year contract extension.
Jarrin is the second-longest tenured broadcaster in Major League Baseball, trailing only Scully, who announced Sunday he would return next year for his 64th consecutive season.
A native of Ecuador, Jarrin began broadcasting Dodgers games in 1959, the year the Dodgers won their first World Series in Los Angeles.
“I am honored to extend my career during such a thrilling time in Dodger history and under new ownership that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latinos in Los Angeles and in revitalizing the Dodgers throughout Latin America,” Jarrín said in a statement. “I am confident this leadership can bring a championship back to Los Angeles and I am happy to be a part of it.”
Jarrin is considered a pioneer in Spanish-language sports broadcasting. The Dodgers estimate that nearly 40% of their fan base is Latino.
“We’re committed to the Latino community in Los Angeles and knew that one of the most important things we could do right away was to ensure that Jaime would continue to lead the Spanish-language broadcast,” Dodgers President Stan Kasten said in a release. “We’re happy to have him here with us and are grateful for his insight and the foundation he laid in this community that we can now build upon.”
-Steve Dilbeck
