Vin Scully‘s storied tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers is winding down, and all of Major League Baseball is showing its appreciation.
It is rare to see a broadcaster’s retirement prompt the outpouring of sentiment that Scully’s has, but it is certainly warranted. He has been calling games since the Dodgers’ days in Brooklyn, with his debut occurring in 1950. While Scully continues to limit his travel schedule, teams coming into Dodger Stadium this year have taken the time to show their respect, with the experience being one of significance to many players. More from the New York Times:
When Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle homered for the Mets in an NBC “Game of the Week” in 1985, Scully mentioned on the air that Hurdle’s daughter had been born the night before. Hurdle dutifully made the trip to visit Scully this month, swapping stories and collecting an autographed ball. Gerrit Cole, a Pirates pitcher who went to U.C.L.A., also visited.
Another recent guest was Phillies pitcher Michael Mariot, who came by with his teammates Jerad Eickhoff and David Hernandez. Mariot was born in West Hills, Calif., on Oct. 20, 1988 — the night the Dodgers won their last World Series, with Scully behind the microphone in Oakland, Calif
“My mom said that when she was in labor, it was on TV and my brother and sister were in the room watching, and my dad was watching,” Mariot said. “She said I was born within the hour of them winning it.”
“I sent it right to my mom and she went nuts,” he said
While visiting players have made their appreciation known, Scully’s pending retirement is certainly not lost on the Dodgers. During a photo session, players and team officials used an image of Scully’s face on sticks to create a photo full of Vin Scullys.
Vins. ? pic.twitter.com/wzCs7gitGD
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 27, 2016
It has been expected that Scully’s broadcast will take place on October 2, when the Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants in the regular season finale at AT&T Park. With the Dodgers currently leading the National League West, however, playoff baseball is a strong possibility in LA, and Scully has previously stated that he would consider broadcasting select postseason games over the radio. Should that happen, it would be a development that is welcomed by the baseball world.