Vin Scully: Please tell us these fears will not be realized

This has the makings of the saddest day in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

A day we've always known would come at some point, yet somehow we kept getting another magical year, were blessed with one more season of Vin Scully.

Only Vin told the Times’ T.J. Simers he would make an announcement before Sunday’s game on his future plans with the Dodgers.

Let's be clear, I did not speak to Vin on Saturday. I spoke only briefly to T.J., and he told me nothing more than what was in his story. So this is just my reaction, and it is not good.

"I know what I am going to do and I would imagine the Dodgers will arrange things so an announcement can be made before [Sunday's] game," Scully told Simers. "I'd like to do that so everyone hears it at the same time. It's the proper way to do it."

This doesn't sound like someone re-upping. I just don't see Vin having a news conference to properly announce he's coming back next year. Not even to announce he's only going to do home games, though I'm holding out hope.

Vin has earned the right to do whatever he wants. If he only wants to do Thursday home games that fall on even numbered days, that's what he should get.

Vin is 82 but still loves baseball, so maybe I'm way off. I hope I'm completely off. My gut is telling me otherwise.

The timing seems slightly odd, whatever the announcement. Vin has said he doesn't want a farewell tour, which the last six weeks would become if he announces his retirement. There is always the possibility he's going to just walk away today, though it wouldn't be like him to leave with the rest of the season to be played out.

I keep telling myself, I could be wrong.

At every Dodgers home game, I walk into the Vin Scully Press Box. And every time it fills me with pride.

On many nights prior to the game's start, a group of us will be sitting down in the media dining room and Vin will stop by to visit. Sometimes he pulls up a chair and we talk about whatever -- novels, World War II, some pop culture news, last night's game. It is always the highlight of my night.

Generations, millions, have grown up with Vin feeling like part of their immediate family. And here's the thing that probably won't surprise you: As great a baseball broadcaster as he is, he's an even greater person.

Vin Scully is the most beloved figure in Los Angeles history. I can't imagine who's second.

And selfishly, like the rest of us, I want my gut to be very wrong.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[skyharbor]

"It's a mere moment in a man's life between the All-Star Game and an old timer's game" says Vin.

[Dave]

It will be a sad day indeed if he announces his retirement.
Especially since there is no succession plan in place. Brooklyn had Red Barber with a young Scully waiting in the wings and we have Eric "Good Speed" Collins waiting "without wings."

A sad season concludes with the pending Scully retirement overshadowed by the McCourt public soap opera.

Thanks for all the memories, Mr. Scully.

[Luis]

This day has my stomach in knots, because to me Mr. Scully is the grandfather I didn't have the privilege of having.

I have MANY memories of sitting in front of the tv watching the games on KTLA, then on KCOP and now on KCAL and Prime Ticket.

The stories, the liveliness, the picture he paints and his sly subtle occasional jokes. . . NOBODY can replace that.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but I will say that I am completely greedy in my hopes that he announces that next season will be his final season and he's only doing home games. I don't want his time to be up.

Not yet grandpa

[Lance Pendragon]

My fondest memory of Vin: How he delivered two of the most beautiful words in the Dodger lexicon:
Sandy Koufax.
His voice a velvet roller coaster.

[bob]

With the Dodgers sucking on all levels this year , I would not be surprised if he pulls the plug and walks out of the booth today and forever.
I love him as much as the next guy but he has really started to sound old and a bit "out of it' this year. I would lay odds he has some health condition that has sped this inevitable decision.
Its a shame that his "out of it' is still better than most announcers on their best day...

[Ellie]

Yay, I just read we get you for another year Vinnie! I wish it said `forever' but I'll settle....you cannot imagine how many of us there are who learned the game from you, who hear your voice and at the end of the day appreciate you no matter what the Dodgers are doing...

You're the best! Thank you Vinnie!

[Glenn T]

Today is a great day; thank you Vin for the reprieve. You must know this in the bottom of your heart (although with your sincere humility, you probably don't fully acknowledge this), but I feel compelled to add to the chorus that you have been (and continue to be) a tremendous positive influence on many lives. Growing up in LA, with my initiation as a baseball fan in the early 70's, I know my lifelong love of not only the Dodgers, but more importantly the Game itself, is a product of your own respect for and obvious love of baseball. I could not have developed the same level of appreciation for the Game, reverence for its history, and realized the level of joy that baseball has given me over the years. I think about this just about very time I listen to a Dodger game. From a related perspective, hearing you call a game is like coming home, one of the few constants and comforts, like family, that remind us of where we came from and who we are. You probably think most of this is ridiculous, but accept it or not, I'm sure I speak for a few others as well with these thoughts. I continue to savor every moment listening to your calls-thank you, for so much!

[Stu B]

The Pirates lost Bob Prince. The Mets lost Bob Murphy. The Tigers lost Ernie Harwell. The Yankees lost Phil Rizzuto and Bob Sheppard. The Phillies lost Rich Ashburn and later Harry Kalas. The Cardinals lost Jack Buck and Harry Caray, as did the White Sox and then the Cubs. The Dodgers once lost Red Barber, for that matter. And lots of other teams lost lots of other announcers. And it was sad. But eventually they moved on with newer, younger people, and the earth didn't go spinning off its axis! So get over it, life goes on, it really does!

[Joe West]

I had the great honor of meeting Vinny in "The Vin Scully" Press box at Dodger Stadium. I was with two ladies... his eyes lit up when a friend introduced us to him... like he was really happy to see us. He commented on the women... "Ah... like two beautiful flowers." He then looked at me and said... "And you must be the dirt among the flowers." I was never so happy to be called dirt. I will always remember that. Thank you Mr. Scully for 61 wonderful years of class action play-by-play!

[Jake Guzman]

The Rivalry
by Jake Guzman
age 13

The Dodgers were down 3-1 in the last inning of the game,
the fans in the stands were so full of shame.
The Giants were sure they had it in the bag,
and the sullen Dodgers thought the ump was a nag.
The Giants snickered and sneered and teased.
The Dodgers certainly were not pleased.
There were two outs in the Dodgers last at bat.
On the edges of their seats the Dodger fans sat.
Then suddenly a base hit from Russel Martin.
The fans could feel that something was startin'.
Then the Panda booted a routine ground ball,
and a home run here would win it all.
Mighty Andre Ethier steped up to the plate.
The Giants were about to meet their fate.
The fans screamed,"Come on Ethier, you can do it!"
Andre replied,"There's nothin' to it!"
The first pitch he saw, Andre took a mighty hack,
and Vin Scully in the booth said,"What a smack!"
To deeeeep right field the ball did fly,
and Ross and Posey could only wonder,"Why, oh why?"
A walk off three run homer to win the game!
Dodger fans were thrilled, and Giants fans were ashamed.