Proudly boasting "I never
say `we.' Never, ever," Scully is the stylistic antithesis
of outspoken home-team rooters Harry Caray and Bob Prince, and perhaps the most highly
praised announcer in ML history. The consummate professional, he is as knowledgeable
as he is lyrical, weaving accurate play-by-play with understated color in a calm
resonant voice that is a joy to hear. After playing centerfield for Fordham in the
late 1940s, Scully joined Red Barber in the Brooklyn Dodgers' booth in 1950 and by
1954, at the age of 26, had become their top announcer. He called Brooklyn's only
World Championship the following season, but it would be in Los Angeles where he
would earn his greatest renown. Scully's voice captivated Southern California, where
millions of fans, starved for ML baseball, followed the Dodgers on radio from the
freeways and beaches. He was helped to his vast audience by the Dodgers' reluctance
to televise games. By 1976, it was Scully, and not a Dodgers player, who was named
the club's Most Memorable Personality in a fan poll. He joined CBS as a reporter
in 1975, adding national football, tennis, and golf broadcasts to his local Dodgers
duties, and in 1983 returned to national baseball broadcasts as NBC's number-one
play-by-play man.
(SL)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 15, 1961:
At L.A., the 2nd-place Reds Joey Jay (17-7) gives up three singles and two runs in the first and just three hits after that in subduing the first-place Dodgers, 5–2. Losing pitcher Sandy Koufax (13-8) almost adds another hit but is thrown out at 1B by RF Frank Robinson. Announcer Vin Scully says, "Sandy forgot to run."
»July 6, 2000:
The American Sportscasters Association names Dodgers legend Vin Scully as the No. 1 sportscaster of the 20th century. Howard Cosell finishes 2nd, followed by Mel Allen and Red Barber.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
