LOS ANGELES — Amid the clamor of activity beyond the makeshift walls of PLAY BALL Park’s All-Star Clubhouse on Saturday, all eyes were fixated on five men sitting on stage in a standing room-only pavilion within the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Six-time All-Star pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Hall of Fame designated hitter Edgar Martinez, Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, two-time All-Star third baseman Vinny Castilla and Dodgers All-Star outfielder Manny Mota took part in a panel on Latino legends, which was moderated by Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com’s director of talent development and diversity outreach.
Sanchez opened the discussion (which took place in both English and Spanish) by setting the stage, reminding the audience — or making them aware — that they were in the presence of cultural titans of the sport.
The Mexican-born Valenzuela, the first and only player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season en route to helping the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series. The Puerto Rico-raised Martinez, one of the greatest Mariners of all time. The Ecuadorian Jarrín, who is the longest-tenured active English or Spanish broadcaster in his 64th season . The Mexican-born Castilla, whose 320 career home runs are […]
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