Latest news with #JaimeJarrín
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Appreciation: Friends bid farewell to Rolando 'Veloz' Gonzalez, an L.A. Spanish-language radio pioneer
The Los Angeles sports world mourned the loss of one of its most beloved voices, Rolando "El Veloz" Gonzalez, the longtime Galaxy broadcaster and a pioneer of Spanish-language sports radio, who died June 25. His legacy transcends generations on the microphone. Advertisement Gonzalez's career began almost accidentally. Although his dream was to play soccer, life had other plans for him and turned him into a storyteller. 'One day on March 6, 1962, I was playing soccer in the local league and the radio play-by-play broadcaster who was assigned that game of my team Escuintla against Universidad, Dr. Otorrino Ríos Paredes, had a car accident,' Gonzalez recalled in 2017. "The owner of the station ran to tell me, '[get dressed, get dressed]' and I replied, 'Who are you to tell me to get dressed? Let the trainer tell me.' He said, 'I need you because they told me that you narrate soccer.' I replied that I do that there among the guys." Read more: 'It's the right time.' Dodgers legend Jaime Jarrín ready to sign off with gratitude He later moved to Los Angeles, where former Dodgers announcer Jaime Jarrín gave him his big break during the 1984 Olympics. Advertisement "I met him, I think in 1984, shortly before the Olympics. I needed sportswriters for Spanish-language coverage and I was impressed with his stability, his knowledge, his diction and his voice time for soccer," Jarrín told L.A. Times en Español. 'He worked with me for three weeks, and that opened a lot of doors for him in Los Angeles.' Jarrín's call surprised him. 'It was Jaime Jarrín,' González recalled. "He asked me if I narrated soccer and if I had experience in programs. He told me that a narrator for the Olympics was coming from Ecuador and he wanted to have [González ] from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on a program. I was leaving the factory at 4:30 p.m. all dirty with paint, and I couldn't miss that opportunity." Jarrín highlights González's commitment to ESPN Deportes Radio 1330 AM's coverage of the Galaxy, a team González covered in two long stints in which the team won five of the six MLS Cup titles. The last game González called a game was on May 31, when the Galaxy won their first game of this season against Real Salt Lake at Dignity Health Sports Park. Advertisement "He gave his all to the team, as I did to the Dodgers," Jarrín said. "His legacy is an example for young people. He defined what he wanted to be, and he did it with his heart, with 110% effort." Along with Hipolito Gamboa, González marked an era in radio with their 'Hablando de Deportes' show on KTNQ-AM (1020) and eventually on KWKW-AM (1330). The show focused mostly on soccer and easily overshadowed other sports programs that tried to copy the format with a more aggressive touch in their conversations. Read more: Arellano: A hearty thank you to Dodgers legend Jaime Jarrín. 'He made me believe that I belong' The González and Gamboa duo presented a more complete analysis without being dependent on fireworks. Advertisement "I always had something that made you laugh in the booths of 'Hablando de Deportes,'" Gamboa said. "It was not all good all the time, because there were moments of tension. That's a reality, but we always ended well." Gamboa described González as someone out of the ordinary. "He was one of the first to broadcast soccer in the United States. His unique style, his energy, his speed ... no one has equaled him," Gamboa said. "That's why they called him 'El Veloz' ['The Swift']." Read more: Galaxy fans protest team's silence in response to ICE raids Advertisement They worked together broadcasting Gold Cups, Liga MX matches and international matches. Despite his serious voice, Gamboa highlighted González's cheerful character. "He narrated with impressive clarity at an amazing speed. People recognized him by his voice," Gamboa said. "At a party, my little daughter, just 1 year old at the time, heard him speak and said, 'Goal!' because we grew up hearing him narrate at the Rose Bowl, at Azteca Stadium, in so many booths." Armando Aguayo, who became González's boss, said he was more than a colleague. "He was my teacher. What I know about narration, I learned from him," Aguayo said. "He taught me how to get into the narrator's rhythm, not to interrupt, to adapt to his speed. He was demanding, but formative." Advertisement Aguayo fondly recalls the two stages he shared with González, first as his producer at 'Deportes en Acción 1330' and then as teammates in the second golden era of the Galaxy under Bruce Arena. "We narrated together the finals, the titles, the big games," Aguayo said. "And off the air, we talked about family, about the future of radio, about life." According to Aguayo, who calls LAFC and Clippers games, González had admirable discipline. 'He would arrive an hour early, prepare, make lists with lineups,' Aguayo said. During his career González, called World Cups, Olympic Games, Pan American Games, games of his beloved Guatemala national team, as well as the U.S. national team. He covered soccer, baseball, basketball and football. Advertisement 'The only thing he didn't narrate was golf, because he said it bored him,' Aguayo said, laughing. 'But he even narrated a marbles contest in Guatemala.' González was known as a great storyteller. "He would always say, 'Let me tell you, in such-and-such a year ... and he would give you exact dates.' He was a historian with a storyteller's voice," Aguayo said. Beyond professionalism, Gonzalez left a deep human imprint. "We called him 'Don Rolis' [and] 'Papa Smurf.' He was like everybody's dad. Always with a kind comment, always concerned about others," Aguayo recalled. Advertisement González was still active until a few weeks ago. He called the Galaxy's last game against Real Salt Lake. "He arrived two hours early, prepared his tecito, sat down to narrate and when he finished, he got up and left, as usual," Aguayo said. "That was Rolando. Professional, punctual and simple." Aguayo spoke with González shortly before hearing the news of his death. Although González recently had a heart attack, he was still answering calls, his voice tired but upbeat. "He told me, 'I'm fine. Thank you for your call. It's very helpful to me. You're one of the few who called me.' He told me about the future, about his family," Aguayo said. "Even in his last days, he was thinking of others." Advertisement For Jarrín, González represented the image of the hard-working immigrant, the passionate communicator, the dedicated professional. "He never caused problems. He always served the Hispanic community in Southern California with interest. His voice will remain engraved in our memories, and his legacy will live on in every young person who wants to dedicate themselves to sports broadcasting," Jarrín said. González's voice will no longer resonate in the stadiums, but his echo will live on in the memories of his colleagues and in the passion of those who listened to him. 'I was deeply hurt by his passing, because we were great friends,' Jarrín said. "We had a lot of mutual respect, and I liked him very much from the beginning because of his simplicity and his responsibility in everything. So I think that sports fans, and particularly soccer fans, will miss him very much. ... He served the Hispanic community in Southern California with a lot of interest, with a lot of enthusiasm. And I will miss him very, very much indeed." Advertisement This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NBC News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Legendary Dodgers announcer Jaime Jarrín speaks out on immigration raids
Even for legendary Dodgers announcer Jaime Jarrín, who's called Southern California home for seven decades, this moment in history feels unprecedented. As immigration enforcements and ICE raids permeate many parts of Southern California, even reaching the front gates of Dodger Stadium, Jarrín said he's worried about what's happening in the communities. After sharing an emotional Instagram post to express his support and encouragement for immigrants, Jarrín said in Spanish and English that it hurts him to see people being detained by federal agents. 'It would not surprise me to have someone come to my door and ask for my papers,' said Jarrín, who was the Spanish-language announcer for the LA Dodgers for 64 years until his retirement in 2022. The Baseball Hall of Fame award recipient and Dodger ambassador called himself a proud immigrant, saying he was gratified that the team pledged to donate $1 million for immigrant families impacted by raids. Jarrín also said he was glad to see the Dodgers denying access to federal immigration agents last week when they tried to stage in a stadium parking lot. 'It pains me to see federal agents attempting to enter the stadium, my home, a spiritual place,' Jarrín said. His son Jorge, who was also a Dodgers Spanish-language announcer, said his father and the family's message is part of a legacy that includes more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded to college students each year through their foundation. 'Education is the key,' Jorge Jarrín said. 'The more you are educated, the better you are, the better you will be to defend yourself, to understand a situation, to step forward, to take a leading role.' While lending his voice in support of all immigrants, the elder Jarrín urged people to protest peacefully without violence or aggression and lead with a message that immigrants are important and necessary parts of the community.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
While Dodgers wait to speak, Jaime Jarrín, Kiké Hernández and others support immigrants
Amid the Dodgers' silence about federal immigration raids in Southern California, a familiar voice that has comforted immigrants for years emerged. Jaime Jarrín, the former Spanish-language voice of the Dodgers who captivated thousands of fans for decades and served as Fernando Valenzuela's translator during Fernandomania, posted a message on his Instagram account about the raids and protests in a city he adopted as his own in 1958. 'As an immigrant who came to this country 70 years ago, I know firsthand the hope, courage and determination it takes to build a new life in a new land,' Jarrín posted Tuesday. 'I have always believed that immigration is not just part of the American story; it is the American story.' 'Los Angeles is my home,' Jarrín added in his Instagram post. 'This city is my family. And it breaks my heart to see the growing division in our community and across the country. We all deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and humanity.' The message from the Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Dodgers ambassador was celebrated while critics grew more vocal opposing the team's silence following ICE raids and protests in the Los Angeles area the past two weeks. A Dodgers spokesman said the team would announce plans to aid immigrants on Thursday, but it delayed the announcement after turning away federal agents who tried to use the team parking lot after conducting raids at the Hollywood Home Depot and surrounding areas. Jarrín is originally from Quito, Ecuador, and his first job in this country was in a factory in East Los Angeles. Over time, Jarrín became the sports director for KWKW and a Dodgers broadcaster for more than six decades. Jarrín worked alongside Valenzuela when he was a rookie in Major League Baseball in 1981, serving as his translator during Fernandomania in the 1980s. They later shared microphones in the radio booth broadcasting Dodger games in Spanish. 'In the face of the injustices and suffering we have witnessed, I am deeply proud of the thousands who have peacefully taken to the streets; raising their voices, refusing to be silenced. Their courage matters. Your presence matters. Do not be afraid. Stand strong. Stay present. Let your voice be heard,' added Jarrín. President Donald Trump's massive deportation orders have affected the professional sports atmosphere in Los Angeles. The games typically draw Latinos and immigrants from a wide range of countries. Tournaments such as the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup lost fans as some stayed away from stadiums because they feared potential raids or preferred to show solidarity with the demonstrations. Of Los Angeles' 12 professional sports teams, as of Friday morning, only two have issued public statements about the raids. Angel City FC and LAFC have shown their support for the community since the protests began, while the Dodgers and Galaxy, with a heavily Latino and immigrant fan bases, have remained silent. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has responded to some questions from reporters, but he has limited his remarks to saying he understood that the community is 'heartbroken' and said the situation was somewhat 'unsettling for everyone.' Fan favorite Kiké Hernández took to his social networks to say he was 'sad and enraged' at how immigrants were treated, noting the city of Los Angeles had opened its arms to him. The Puerto Rican player, who helped the Dodgers win the World Series last season, wrote: 'Maybe I wasn't born and raised here, but this city adopted me as if I was one of them. I am too sad and infuriated with everything that is going on in the country and in our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have opened their arms to me, supported me and shown me a lot of kindness and most of all a lot of LOVE! This is my second home,' posted Hernandez, who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is in his second stint with the Dodgers after playing in L.A. from 2015-20 and returning from 2023 to the present. 'I cannot tolerate watching our community continue to be violated, attacked, abused and separated. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and their human rights. I stand with you!!! #CiudadDeImigrantes,' the Dodger wrote on Sunday, using a hashtag referring to L.A. as a city of immigrants in Spanish. Meanwhile, Maria Valenzuela, the daughter of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, spoke out against the ICE raids. 'I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents. They came to this country with dreams bigger than borders. My mother followed her heart, and my father not only pitched for the Dodgers, but for all immigrants who believed they belonged in this country,' Maria Valenzuela posted on Instagram. 'He helped shape a city and inspired generations of Mexicans to dream big. Behind the fame was the same immigrant story: sacrifice, struggle and endless work for a better future.' This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
