The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce celebrated Los Angeles Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser by officially unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony Thursday afternoon.
He joined the Dodgers organization, who received one on June 20, 2008, and became the first sports franchise honored by the Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Hershiser’s star came in the sports entertainment category, and is the 2,853rd overall to be installed on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Orel Hershiser’s Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hershiser’s star is located at 6755 Hollywood Boulevard, which is an ode to career accomplishments.
The “67” pays tribute to Hershiser’s scoreless innings streak that reached 59 during the regular season and saw him add eight more during the 1988 National League Championship Series. And of course the “55” in the address represents Hershiser’s jersey number.
Orel Hershiser Walk of Fame ceremony
Longtime broadcaster Bob Costas was emcee of the ceremony and the ceremony included speeches from Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis, manager Dave Roberts, Jaime Jarrín and Clayton Kershaw. Hershiser then was last to take the stage.
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw developed a strong relationship with Hershiser over the course of his 18 seasons with the Dodgers, and he highlighted that during his speech.
“He’s really been a mentor for me,” Kershaw said. “I’ve really got to see from afar what he’s been able to do. He’s always been so kind and so helpful. And one of the best things about Orel is sometimes you get around older ballplayers — no offense to the guys that are here — but they always tell you how much better it was back in the day.
“He was always there just to be a helpful guy, somebody that was never negative, never told you what you did wrong even when it wasn’t going good. Orel, thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about you today. It’s such a special time for Orel and his family, but for me too, to get to say something nice about Orel.
“So Orel, thank you for letting me be here today. This is special.”
Joe Davis
Davis faced the unenviable task of replacing Vin Scully as the voice of Dodgers baseball, and he’s been open about how big of a help Hershiser has been alongside him in the SportsNet LA booth.
Davis used his opportunity to speak to retell a “go-to story” that he believes encapsulates Hershiser.
“So we’re in St. Louis, one of my first years on the job, and it’s Orel’s birthday,” Davis begins. “So we’re getting a big group together, we’re going to go celebrate. We go to an Italian restaurant, a group of about 10 of us, and we’re crushing pasta and wine, way too much of both.
“And it gets to the time of night where it’s time for toasts. Well on his birthday, Orel doesn’t sit there and have everybody toast him. He takes over and one by one goes around the table and toasts everybody that is there celebrating him. On his own birthday. So that’s the Orel Hershiser, the person that I know.
“That included, by the way, my college roommate that had tagged along and [Hershiser] had met, like, 90 minutes before. And he was crying, telling him how much he loved him, swirling that glass of wine. He’s the most generous person I know. He is, outside of my parents and my wife, the most impactful person in my life.”
Davis additionally reminded the crowd that his youngest son, Theodore Orel Davis, was named in Hershiser’s honor.
Jaime Jarrín
Whereas Hershiser witnessed Kershaw’s entire playing career, Jarrín held the honor of being a Dodgers broadcaster when the right-hander was starring on the field.
“To those of us know Orel personally, understanding something even more important, behind the competitor is a man of humility. Behind the intensity is kindness. Behind the success is a loyal friend.”
Dave Roberts
Roberts’ managerial career has been covered by Hershiser’s tenure with SportsNet LA, and unsurprisingly it’s led to a friendship. One that Roberts shared often has resulted in Hershiser being someone who reaches out when the Dodgers suffer a difficult defeat, which is in contrast to their World Series triumphs.
“When things are going well, when the wind is at our backs, I don’t hear from Orel,” Roberts said. “But when the wind is in my face and the organization’s face, the one of few people that text me outside of family, is Orel Hershiser. And he says, ‘Doc, it’s going to be OK.’ So give it up for Orel!”
Orel Hershiser
In what was a theme throughout his speech, Hershiser began by thanking others and crediting them for his achievements.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the fans,” he said. “If you didn’t love me on the field and you didn’t love me in the broadcast booth, I wouldn’t be here.
“So without you guys and your love for Dodger baseball, your love for baseball, your love for this team currently and the teams in the past, thank you so very, very much for being my L.A. friends, community and loved ones. I appreciate you very, very much.”
Orel Hershiser Day
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Ron Frierson proclaimed Aug. 12 as Orel Hershiser Day in Hollywood.
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