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Tribute to Vin Scully

Today, the entire baseball world is saddened to learn that legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully passed away yesterday at age 94 at his home in Hidden Hills, Califormia. A few years ago, I wrote a tribute to Vin on the occasion of his final broadcast. I thought today would be an appropriate time to repost that essay.

RIP, Vin Scully. 

 

A Tribute to Vin Scully On His Final Broadcast, October 2, 2016!

“It’s time for Dodger baseball! Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you, wherever you may be.” –Vin Scully’s signature introduction to Dodgers’ games

“…And when the upcoming winter gives way to spring, rest assured that again it will be time for Dodger baseball. So this is Vin Scully wishing you a very pleasant afternoon wherever you may be.” -Vin Scully signing off on his last braodcast, October 2, 2016

Old Time Baseball Photos can’t let the day go by without mentioning that yesterday was the last broadcast by the great Vin Scully after 67 years calling Dodgers’ games. Scully, 88, is leaving on a high note and seemingly could go on a few more years if he wanted and will not call post-season games. Vin began his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 18, 1950, at Shibe Park in a game against the Phillies. It ended yesterday at AT&T Park against the Giants, after calling more than an estimated 10,000 games.

In April, 1950, Vin Scully was just ten months out of college, still living with his parents. He was the newest and youngest member of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ broadcast team. A train carried him from New York to Philadelphia, and a taxi delivered him to Shibe Park. It was Opening Day of the 1950 season. In Washington, President Truman threw out the first pitch. In New York, outfielder Sam Jethroe became the first African American to play for the Boston Braves.

Recalling his first game, Vin commented in his typical self-deprecating manner, saying that Red Barber assigned him to do the fourth inning only. “I mean, they didn’t trust me more than one inning…and I can understand that,” he said. Dodger starter Don Newcombe was knocked out before the fourth that day, which still causes the two to laugh whenever they meet. “That’s all I really remember, plus the fact that I was terrified. Here’s a kid growing up in New York, 22, and now I’m traveling with Gil Hodges, Jackie Robinson, PeeWee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, and Carl Furillo. It was overwhelming.”

I did a little research on that first game at Shibe Park. It was played in front of 29,074 fans in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Newcombe, now 90 years old, was the starter and loser for the Dodgers; while Hall-of-Famer Robin Roberts was the winner, going the distance for the Phils. The Dodgers were managed by Burt Shotton and Eddie Sawyer was guiding the Phillies who were on their way to their first pennant since 1915. The umpires were Babe Pinelli, Dusty Boggess, Scotty Rob, and Lon Warneke. Some of us old-timers still remember those names.

Recently, Scully was asked how he would like to be remembered. The always modest and humble Scully replied: “I would like to be remembered, No. 1, as a good man,” he said. “And, by being a good man, I mean as honest as possible. I’d like to be remembered as a great husband, a great father, and a great grandfather. But I don’t really care about someone saying, ‘You’re the best broadcaster.’ That just happened. The others are far more important.”

A few years ago, Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan asked Vin if he was going to sing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field during an upcoming trip to Chicago. Scully responded he would decline the honor, which he had accepted in 1998, the first season after Harry Caray’s death. “I did it once for Harry. If I did it twice, it would be doing it for me, and that wouldn’t be right.” Paul Sullivan’s assessment: “That’s Vin Scully in a nutshell.”

Have a great retirement Vin. You’ve earned it…and thanks!

-Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: “The Brooklyn Dodgers Photographs of Barney Stein;” and from Google search.

Information: Excerpts edited from column in Chicago Tribune by Paul Sullivan October 2, 2016: “Fond Farewell to Two Legends;” and Vin Scully Wikipedia page.

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