Our National Treasure: Vin Scully

Let us start with Vin, as he starts every Dodger game. "Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good (day/evening) to you, wherever you may be." –Vin Scully Isn't the familiarity amazing? If George “Babe” Herman Ruth is “A National Heirloom,” as described in Ken Burns Baseball (Inning 4) documentary about our National Pastime, then we must agree that Vin Scully is “Our National Treasure.” We are embarking upon Vin’s 67th and final season at the helm of the Dodgers broadcast chair. He has filled our hearts and minds for years with his memorable voice, wit, and sometimes silence when the crowd’s reaction says it best. You see, one of Vin’s greatest attributes is his humility. He would blush at this article, accolades, and the like. How many times have we heard Vin thank God first, say how much he loves his family, his job, and the opportunities he has had in life. He is a humble and gracious man who has touched many lives with his character and his voice. We can all remember a time, and the scene begins something like this: The Dodger game is on the radio or television. You are stuck in traffic. You are at home. You excitingly await Vin’s famous intro . . . “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” You hear the roar of the crowd. You hear Vin’s genuine excitement about life, the game and the Dodgers. Although you realize Vin is too humble and respectful to the game and the opponent to hear any hint of bias in his voice and presentation—a quality lost upon lesser men. He calls a game like we read a Mark Twain book. You are transported to the venue, a time, a place, forgotten or missed. Vin’s passion pours into our souls. It does so because he is passionate about life. He makes us feel young again even though the Dodgers team play does not at times. Vin is the stable voice, the comforting sign of things to come. A reminder to live in the moment. To be thankful and to know that we are blessed. In an effort to remember Vin on his 88th birthday (11.29.2015), for the upcoming 2016 season, and what he means to baseball, here is a top ten list of memorable moments and facts about the man in his years of service: 1. In the late 1940s before landing the Dodgers job, he called a college football game from atop Fenway Park in frigid weather, but was too humble and concentrated to call a good game for the fans to complain. He impressed the bosses with his class and professionalism. The rest is history. 2. He wrote personal letters to over 150 radio stations on the Eastern Seaboard before finally landing a job. How is that for perseverance? Vin Scully should be listed in the reference section of the dictionary under the word perseverance. He may well be. 3. In 1950, when Vin Scully started with Red Barber on the radio calling Brooklyn Dodger games, Harry S. Truman was the President of the United States of America. Old Red gave Vin some great advice that night: [paraphrased] if he [Scully] wanted to be a successful sports announcer he should never be a "homer" (openly showing a rooting interest for the team that employs you), never listen to other announcers, and keep his opinions to himself. This describes Vin to a “T” as we know him. 4. In 1964, the New York Yankees offered Scully the opportunity to succeed Mel Allen as their lead play-by-play announcer. Despite being from New York, growing up and attending Fordham University in Manhattan, Scully chose to remain with the Dodgers. The man defines loyalty. Vin is second only to Tommy Lasorda in terms of years of service with one sports organization. 5. Throughout his career, Scully has done more than announce for the Dodgers. He has called football games, tennis matches, and golf tournaments with a list of memorable calls in all such sports. He also played himself in the movie For the Love of the Game alongside former Dodgers announcer Steve Lyons. Do yourself a favor on a lazy Sunday afternoon and search “Vin Scully” in YouTube. You might also start here. 6. He has kept it classy and donned a beautiful tie and matching pocket square for 66 going on 67 years in the broadcast and radio booth, always signing off with an in-game story break, “Let’s go back to this one,” with that unforgettable smile. 7. Being elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame is only the beginning of Vin’s recognition, awards, and appreciation among baseball’s elite, faithful, and all fans. He is a living legend. A once in a life time figure. Here is a list of his awards from his personal website, which is worth a visit. You can also read a great article entitled “Letter of Recommendation: Vin Scully,” here. 8. Back to 1950. “The major league careers of Connie Mack and Vin Scully intersected at the midpoint of the 20th century. Connie Mack was born Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy in 1862, before the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, at a time when Abraham Lincoln was President and America was engaged in the Civil War. Today, Vin Scully is broadcasting for the Los Angeles Dodgers at a time when a black man is President.” (Baseball Analysts, “Connie Mack and Vin Scully,” By Designated Hitter Stan Opdyke, December 17, 2009). 9. Vin Scully in movie action, For the Love of the Game, when calling a New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers game at Yankee Stadium. Tigers Starting pitcher Billy Chapel, played by Kevin Costner, is on the mound. Vin Scully describes the drama: “And you know Steve [Lyons] you get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn't pitching against left handers, he isn't pitching against pinch hitters, he isn't pitching against the Yankees. He's pitching against time. He's pitching against the future, against age, and even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time to push the sun back up in the sky and give us one more day of summer.” Interesting how this quote about Chapel rings true for Vin in 2016 as he brings his illustrious career to a close. Vin will grace us with his voice for one more year giving all of us some memorable days of summer and maybe fall. 10. Vin the Patriot. “Let Vin Scully teach you everything there is to know about the American flag.” (Cut4, MLB.com). Or, how about when Vin tells stories about D-Day. Or, these iconic pictures to remember Vin via ESPN in “The Man with the Golden Voice.” Imagining the Dodgers without Vin Scully is like imagining the Vatican without the Sistine Chapel, Chavez Ravine without the Dodgers, the Dodgers without the trolleys that fans dodged to get to games at Washington Park and Eastern Park when the team played in Brooklyn (before Ebbets field was built), and the Dodgers without Jackie Robinson. Imagine a less stable voice. Imagine someone calling a game that is as up and down as the Dodgers can be through the long haul of a season. We are all better, mentally, and physically, because Vin has led the crowd with a steady voice. He is a poet. He is a philosopher. He is the voice of the Dodgers. He is the voice of baseball. He is Our National Treasure. From all of us baseball fans, thank you Vin. We are looking forward to spending one more year with you. Let us end with Vin from the 8.29.2015 press conference announcing 2016 as his last, and 67th season, with the Dodgers. "I mean, how much longer can you go on fooling people? So yeah, I would be saying, 'Dear God, if you give me next year, I will hang it up.'" –Vin Scully

Our National Treasure: Vin Scully

Jeremy Evans

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