Several Maryland dignitaries including Gov. Larry Hogan bid farewell to a Baltimore broadcasting legend on Friday. WBAL Radio's John Patti announced his retirement following a 38-year run with the station. 

Ironically, Patti started at WBAL in the heyday of the Baltimore Orioles. It is Patti who instinctively chased down a young fan named Jeffery Maier for an on-air interview when he reached over the wall at the old Yankee Stadium and deflected a Derek Jeter home run into the stands in game 1 of the 1996 ALCS between the Yankees and the Orioles.

During his tenure, he rode on Air Force One when Ocean City, Maryland was ravaged by a hurricane. He also accompanied the Ravens during their first Super Bowl victory over the New York Giants in 2001. 

"Hey John, I just want to say congratulations," Hogan said. "I don't know why you're retiring early, I guess after 38 years at WBAL it's probably time for a little R&R." 

Patti's co-workers paid tribute to him on social media. Reporter Phil Yacuboski thanked Patti for the memories. 

"I hope you catch the big one on your next trip catching rockfish on the Chesapeake Bay," he tweeted. 

Longtime WBAL reporter Scott Wykoff tweeted that it was a pleasure working with Patti who garnered 12 Murrow awards over the course of his illustrious career.