Brooklyn Dodgers live on in Scully: Radio announcer makes rare trip east for NLCS

SportsNet New York ^ | October 19, 2009 | Howard Megdal

[EveningStar]

As fans of the Yankees have had much to enjoy this October -- from the Alex Rodriguez resurgence to the first classic games at the new Yankee Stadium -- it has been a difficult month for fans of the Mets.

Sure, the break from seeing one Met after another fall to the ground in pain has been welcome. But what pleasure can a National League New York fan get watching the Mets' primary in-division rival head inexorably toward a battle with the team's primary in-city rival?

The answer is a simple one: the broadcasting of Dodgers announcer Vin Scully. With Vin at the microphone, the Mets may not be in the playoffs, but the Brooklyn Dodgers certainly are.

[EveningStar]

ping

[Rummyfan]

And it's all brought to you by ... Farmer John! Seriously, scully is still one of the best voices in baseball, and a member of that quickly disappearing fraternity that included Red Barber, Mel Allen, Ernie Harwell, and Jack Buck to name a few. And Chuck Thompson for any of you old Orioles fans out there.

[oh8eleven]

I grew up in the NYC area in the 50s and 60s listening to Mel Allen and Red Barber.
No one was ever better.

[Jeff Chandler]

I grew up in the NYC area in the 50s and 60s listening to Mel Allen and Red Barber.

Scully was Barber's protege.

I never heard Barber or Allen, but I never heard anyone better than Scully. He doesn't let chatter or ego interfere with calling the game.

[nutmeg]

I never heard Barber or Allen, but I never heard anyone better than Scully. He doesn't let chatter or ego interfere with calling the game.

I LOVE Vin Scully. I discovered him rather late, thanks to the MLB package, and during a couple of fairly recent trips to LA.

I'm a Red Sox fan living in Connecticut, but when we get a Dodgers game on Prime Ticket with Vin Scully, I often watch the entire game. (So I've seen lots of Red Sox and Dodgers games!) I just love listening to him.

If MLB decides to give us the broadcaster from the team opposing the Dodgers, I might watch an inning or two, but that's it. Nobody around today beats Vin Scully, IMO.

[Henchster]

I’ve been listening to Vinny for 43 years. I’m listening to him right now. I realize, at his age, this could be the last time I ever hear him call a Dodger game.

When he “retires” I will have a tough time getting excited about Dodger baseball.

[dfwgator]

Maybe it’s my Tigers’ bias, but Ernie Harwell was the best.

[nutmeg]

I’ve been listening to Vinny for 43 years. I’m listening to him right now. I realize, at his age, this could be the last time I ever hear him call a Dodger game.

43 years! I'm envious. :o)

I'm listening to him now as well, via Gameday audio on the computer. I know what you're saying how this could be the last time you hear him call a Dodger game. He is such a treasure, I go out of my way (and stay up too late here in the eastern time zone sometimes) just to listen to him.

May Vin live a long and very healthy life!

[La Enchiladita]

Nutmeg, thanks for the ping. I started answering this morning and, well you know.....:)

As painful as the championship series has been for this here forever Dodger fan, I listened to the last few innings of last night’s game, knowing these were Vin’s last calls of the season.

What a gem. He is so professional, so baseball and so human all at once. He gives me such chuckles, sometimes he lets you know what he’s thinking in a sly way. I really wished the guys could have gone all the way this year. “Win it for Vinny” was my cry.

He plans to be on the job in 2010, but whenever he hangs up his cap, we will have a treasury of memories and he has the love of thousands, maybe millions!!!

[Henchster]

About 30 years ago, Vin used to come into our place of business regularly.

As an 18 year old kid, I was awed to get to meet and assist him with his purchases.

He was the most polite, unassuming, and gracious person you could possibly imagine. This was in an area known for its prima donnas and outright rude “personalities.”

25 years later, an employee of mine met Vin and said the very same things.

I will forever remember Vin as the best friend, who if you were bedridden blind, would be bedside with you, watching and explaining the game to you in his unique, sitting room story style.

He is not only a baseball treasure, he is a human treasure.

[nutmeg]

I listened to the last few innings of last night’s game, knowing these were Vin’s last calls of the season.

Same here... thank goodness I saw this thread (thank you, EveningStar!) and quickly muted the TV for the last couple of innings so I could hear Vin Scully on KABC (via MLB Gameday Audio).

I really wished the guys could have gone all the way this year. “Win it for Vinny” was my cry.

Sorry about your Dodgers, La Enchiladita. Although my husband and I are Red Sox fans, we were rooting for the Dodgers in the NLCS.

I can't wait to hear Vin Scully's voice again next season when MLB Extra Innings flickers onto our TV here in CT in early April.

Nice win by the LA Angels tonight despite that dicey closer Brian Fuentes, LOL. Naturally we're rooting for them as well... whoever opposes the Yankees. ;-)

[La Enchiladita]

More power to the Angels. Needless to say, I like what they did last night:-)