During the 2023 season the Los Angeles Dodgers will honor Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser by inducting them into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, which recognizes franchise greats for their impact on and off the field.
The inductees receive a plaque honoring achievements during their careers with the Dodgers, which also go on permanent display at Dodger Stadium.
Hershiser and Mota will join Kirk Gibson, Steve Garvey, Don Newcombe and Fernando Valenzuela as the players to have been recognized with the honor.
After the announcement, longtime Dodgers Spanish-Language broadcaster Jaime Jarrín congratulated the duo and shared his excitement on Twitter:
Me siento feliz con la noticia emanada hoy por Dodgers de nombrar a Manny Motta y a Orel Hersisher Legens of Dodger Baseball. Las ceremonias de esta consagración se realizarán el 29 de Abril y el 29 de Julio respectivamente. Felicitaciones a Dodgers por esta óptima decisión.
— Jaime Jarrín (@JaimeJarrin) February 10, 2023
Jarrín wrote he is happy with the news, and congratulated the team for their decision to recognize the two legends. He also added that Mota’s pregame ceremony is scheduled for April 29, when the Dodgers face the St. Louis Cardinals, and Hershiser will have his career celebrated July 29 prior to a matchup with the Cincinnati Reds.
Hershiser played 13 of his 18 seasons with the Dodgers, and he remains connected to the franchise as a SportsNet LA analyst. He helped the club win the 1988 World Series, and that year he led the National League in wins (23), innings pitched (267), shutouts (eight) and complete games (15) en route to earning the Cy Young Award and setting the all-time record of 59 consecutive scoreless innings.
Mota has been a member of the Dodgers organization for more than 50 years as a player, coach and broadcaster. He previously held the distinct honor of being the longest-tenured coach in franchise history (1980-2018). Mota retired as the all-time MLB pinch-hit leader with 150.
Jarrín finished his broadcasting career after 64 seasons with the Dodgers when he called the San Diego Padres winning Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
The Hall of Fame broadcaster announced his intention to retire after the 2022 season back in September of last year so he could begin spending more time with family.
Jaime Jarrín disappointed with Angels lack of Spanish-language coverage
The Dodgers routinely invest in their Spanish-language broadcast team, but the Los Angeles Angels have been cutting back over the past few years. José Tolentino, the organization’s longtime Spanish radio voice, was demoted to a part-time employee.
Jarrín spoke about the unfortunate situation and believes the Angels need to become a bigger presence in the Latino community.
The Angels are the only MLB team in Southern California without full-time Spanish-language broadcasts. Tolentino has aired his frustrations with Angels president John Carpino and hopes he can create meaningful change.
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