La Vida Voices: Eduardo Ortega

An invitation to visit the San Diego Padres’ Spanish-language broadcast booth was my first opportunity to meet Eduardo Ortega, who is considered among the deans of Spanish language Major League Baseball broadcasters.

Warm and welcoming, he asked me to go on-air for an impromptu interview about the history of Latinos in baseball after I attended a Negro League commemoration event organized by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield. The event’s theme was “Connecting Continents, Cultures, and Communities.”

It didn’t dawn on me then that I was being interviewed by a broadcast legend who has spent years connecting cultures and communities through his work in the booth for a team that broadcasts on both sides of the San Diego-Tijuana border.

Mexican and Latino fans of the Padres have gotten to know Ortega as the Spanish-language voice of the team. The Tijuana native has been broadcasting Padres games for 33 years. He is a product of the border heard by baseball fans throughout the U.S.-Mexico region that included San Diego and Tijuana.

Ortega is nearing 40 years in broadcasting. He has called 19 All-Star Games, 24 World Series and five no-hitters. He has called Tony Gwynn slashing hits all over the park, Trevor Hoffman closing games, and Padres games in the World Series.

The broadcast veteran spent time with La Vida Baseball reflecting on his journey to becoming the voice of the Padres en español and the man many believe will be the next Latino to win the Ford Frick Award.

Adrian Burgos: What sparked your love of baseball? Was it something passed down through your family?

Eduardo Ortega: The love of baseball was definitely a tradition that started at home in Tijuana, where my family is from. My brothers played in the local amateur leagues. They were the ones who taught me how to play the game.

We also learned about baseball in a unique way. We listened every day to Padres games on the Spanish radio while watching the English TV broadcast from San Diego with the audio volume down. That is how we became Padres fans in my house. Little did I know that one day I would be the one introducing Latino fans to the Padres on both sides of the border.

AB: How did you get involved in broadcasting? Who were a few of those who influenced you and assisted you?

EO: I discovered this was my vocation when I was in high school. I would always emcee at school events. I decided that I wanted to become an announcer professionally to cover sports and the news. The biggest influence, talent wise and inspirational, to pursue my goals was listening to Don Mario Thomas, one of the Padres’ first Spanish radio voices. Locally, in my hometown of Tijuana, sportscasters Juan Manuel Martínez and Gilberto Delgado also inspired and motivated me to become who I am today.

The goal of reaching the majors, in broadcasting, is one I am proud to have accomplished with the help of others. To have reached the majors, I’ll always be grateful to Don Enrique Lutheroth, Gustavo López Moreno, Marco Rodríguez, Memo Garibay and Polo Valencia. They all helped me become who I am as an announcer.

AB: You saw Fernandomania as a fan and saw him perform as a broadcaster. What was the importance of Fernando Valenzuela to you and other Mexicans?

EO: Fernando Valenzuela was a national baseball hero and still is the biggest name in the history of baseball in México.

He’s the only Mexican sports athlete who competed with and many times defeated by himself the television and radio ratings of soccer broadcasts. When Fernando was in his prime, the whole country of México stopped to watch every time he pitched.

AB: Jaime Jarrín is arguably the most recognizable voice for Spanish-speaking baseball fans. How has Jarrín been either an inspiration or an advocate for you as a broadcaster?

EO: The Godfather, as my generation of announcers calls him, is working in his 61st season for the Dodgers. I have the greatest respect for Jaime and call him the Professor of the Microphone. He has had an incredible career not only in baseball but in broadcasting in general. Jaime is definitely an inspiration for any culture and any language. He is a classy gentleman and announcer honored in Cooperstown. I can also say that he is also a Hall of Famer as a person.

AB: You have been the voice of the San Diego Padres for several generations of fans. Who have been the players you have enjoyed broadcasting? How does it feel to know fans throughout southern California and the border region?

EO: The 1998 team was definitely a lot of fun to cover as a broadcaster. It was wonderful to call the games for the World Series run for the team I grew up rooting for as a kid. I also covered Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, for most of his time as a major leaguer. Witnessing Gwynn winning batting titles is an unforgettable ride itself. Just imagine, what a spectacular player he was, one of all-time best, and I got to call his games, see him perform everyday as part of my job.

The Latino players, in general, have helped me with their talent to promote the different cultures and flavors of our countries. They make my job easier through how they perform and the passion they have. They allow me to talk about all the places where Latinos are from, our cultures, our homes.

As a Mexican myself, I am also very proud to witness and broadcast through my 33 seasons with San Diego, the games of almost all of the 25 Mexican-born players who have worn a Padres uniform. San Diego is the team that has had the most Mexican players to appear in Major League Baseball. As a product of the border, Tijuana raised and now a long-time San Diego resident, I can say that the international metro area of San Diego and Baja California is very special. We have the best of both worlds, culturally and in our values. The best part is knowing and sharing how baseball has no borders.

AB: If you got to choose, who would be your dream team as a broadcaster? If there was a game you can go back and announce with them, which one would it be?

EO: In my experience of 19 All-Star Games and 24 World Series, I have been so lucky to have worked some of these events with Hall of Famers, Jaime Jarrín and Felo Ramírez. My broadcast dream team would be to work with Jaime, Felo and Buck Canel. The only three Latino broadcasters inducted to Cooperstown in the history of MLB. Imagine, all of us together in the same booth calling a Game 7 of the World Series where the SD Padres win and become the Champion.

AB: Thanks so much Eduardo for sharing your experience. Fans can follow Eduardo on Twitter @EDEPORTEGA.

Featured Image: Roberto Espinoza Twitter