Chukars broadcaster John Balginy retires after 41 years in the booth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Chukars broadcaster John Balginy called his final game before retirement during the team's last home game of the season. His retirement concludes a 41-year career in the booth.

Balginy has been a staple of Chukar's baseball, working from the same seat for 41 consecutive summers. After the final out of the game, Balginy reflected on stepping away from the microphone.

“You know, bittersweet. I still love doing the ball games. You know, I had great friendships over the years, but, you know, all good things must come to an end. And I get to hang with my granddaughters. now, after my retirement. So it's been a good run 41 years. Same seat for 41 straight summers. So it's been good,” Balginy said.

Balginy's connection to baseball began long before he entered the broadcast booth. He started in the sport as a bat boy and clubhouse boy in El Paso as a child. His father was a trainer for the Albuquerque Dodgers, giving Balginy the opportunity to spend his teenage years around major league players like Steve Garvey.

“Just being at the ballpark. You know, I was a bat boy when I was a kid in El Paso. I was a clubhouse boy. I did a lot of things with baseball. My dad was a trainer for the Albuquerque Dodgers. And during my teenage years, I got to hang around with Garvey and the Dodger greats. And it's just been, it's been part of my life since I was 12 years old. So I'll miss it. But also, I'll come to a few games and, you know, root the Chukars on from here on out,” Balginy said.

Over his four decades behind the microphone, Balginy accumulated numerous memories and key moments. He highlighted the Chukars' 2019 championship as a standout memory and the last title he called. During that series, the Chukars dropped the first game at home before winning two consecutive games in Ogden to defeat the Ogden Raptors.

John also reflected on some of the people he had the pleasure of speaking with over his long broadcasting career. "I've had some great celebrity guests in the booth with me, Geena Davis from 'A League of Their Own', George Brett, Willie Stargell, I mean, it goes on and on, but, yeah, it's just been a pleasure." John then went on to add, "I mean, they actually pay me to watch baseball! You can't beat that."