We all have so many memories, and as we age our memories, more and more, become tied up with the people we have lost, and even when they’re dead and gone for years and years they’re still part of your heart, aren’t they? And it just builds and builds because your heart has an endless capacity for love, and remembering the people you love. And it’s a huge weight you carry, that hurts you but comforts you, too, but we all have to do it 'cause it’s what we are. And then someday it’ll be you who everyone has to say goodbye to, and if you live your life right, why, people will miss you in their hearts, too.
Ya, that was a great tribute. I definitely shed a tear and I think most humans did. I just got a spare ticket to tomorrow night’s game and I’m looking forward to getting one of the Vin coins.
I’ve dreaded this week all season. Tonight’s tribute was beautiful and heartbreaking. Kevin Costner gave a beautiful speech and then, during the game, they hung a banner under the broadcast booth that simply said “I’ll miss you.” When they showed that, I lost it.
My days with Vin started when I was three or four, listening to the radio with my dad. Honestly, I think Vin taught me more about baseball than just about anyone and I’m forever grateful for all that he has done for the game.
Coming from Upstate New York, my introduction to Vin Scully was in 1981 when I came to Santa Barbara for college. I remember him calling a Spring Training game as I’m driving north up the 101, north of Ventura, near Mussel Shoals, just south of Carpinteria along the blue ocean shoreline. I’ve got the top down on my car on a sunny, gorgeous Southern California day: definite culture shock for a boy from the Northeast.
I’m a young kid on a beautiful day in my convertible, and I’ve got baseball on the radio. Heaven on earth. Vin Scully introduces a promising rookie in the Dodgers organization, and with his trademark sing-songy voice, he draws out the rookie’s name - “… and up comes Can-dee Mal-donado…”
I can still hear and picture it today. Thank you, Vin, for all the great games
There are, of course, a bunch of comments after the letter, all of which pay tribute to Scully in one way or another. One really stood out for me, though, by a contributor who calls himself JGDR:
I grew up in Illinois, I’m a life long Cubs fan. But I lived in California for many years, and while I never could switch allegiances to a different team, I quickly discovered the joy of listening to Vin Scully call a baseball game.
The one thing that I remember, though not necessarily in vivid detail, was that for a week or so after the 9/11 attacks baseball and other sports were pretty much shut down. When they finally got back on the field, I made a point of sitting down to watch the Dodgers the first game back, not so much for the game but because I wanted to hear Vin Scully. Truth be told I can’t tell you anything about that game, I can’t even remember who the Dodgers were playing. I just needed to hear something normal, something that was just right after the events of the previous week had dominated all of our collective consciousness. While it couldn’t make everything that happened go away, it was calming and reassuring to hear that man describe a game.
He’s going to be sorely missed. Whoever the second best baseball broadcaster is, he’s still light years behind Vin.
Another Giants fan here, and I’m sorry to say I’ve never caught a Scully game call, despite all the opportunities. I’ll definitely be listening closely on the 2nd.
While Giants fandom casts shade on everything Dodgers every chance it gets, I’ve never heard anything negative about Vin Scully. Lots of positive stuff, actually. This despite that I’ve heard griping about every Giants announcer except Jon Miller (who came to us when he was already very well established).
I was once great friends with a big Yankees fan who moved west in his 30’s. He was a student of the game until his death some years ago. Cared little for west coast teams despite that he attended many games, but respected Scully more than any Yankees announcer.
Vin Scully started broadcasting for the Dodgers in 1950. 1950 was the last year Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics. Scully has stated that the last game he is going to call is October 2, 2016 in San Francisco, which is the Dodgers last regular season game.
So Vin Scully will be ending his broadcast career in 2016 where during his first year of broadcasting (1950) there was a major league team being managed by a manager (Mack) who was born in 1862.
Well all the Dodgers need to do tonight is win, and they clinch the division. It would be fitting if they did that, tonight, at home, for Vin Scully’s last home game!
Heh…the Dodger batters in the first inning have come up and saluted Vin before stepping into the box. It took Vin a couple of batters to realize it. “Oh, are they waving up here? Isn’t that terrific!”
And then, of course, went on to comment that it isn’t about him.