Vin's Veteran Voice

Those who follow baseball are touched by his demeanor and tone on the radio. None is greater than the legendary announcer, Vin Scully. On this Veteran’s Day, it’s time to recognize a veteran sportscaster whose voice generations of baseball fans recognize all too well.
Eighty-two year old Scully said Tuesday he will continue in the broadcast booth for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010. Scully has been on the job since the day he began in 1950. His 59 year tenure with the Dodgers is the longest of any current sportscaster with the same team. Scully’s audiences have enjoyed his well-regarded mastery of the English language between balls and strikes for more than a half a century. Scully was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. His words and game calling remains as strong as ever. Vin was born in the Bronx. The young Giants fan began broadcasting games for Fordham University. He was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and worked alongside Red Barber. Scully was transported with the team when the Dodgers made L.A. their new home. He was in the booth for five World Championship seasons and brought to life in thrilling theater Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965. Scully set the standard for sports radio announcing. When you think of quality baseball on the radio, Scully automatically comes to mind. He is so intertwined with the Dodgers it’s hard to imagine anybody else broadcasting each game in L.A. The red-headed Irish announcer has the most musical, poetic voice in baseball. His sentences flow impeccably and his distinct, articulate words are similar to verses of a poem. Scully is one of the rare natural speakers with smooth and rounded melody. There aren’t enough accolades to describe how his commentary recreates the game in the listener’s mind. Some announcers struggle to find the right word, but Scully’s verbiage always seems to be on the tip of his tongue. He expresses his words in a manner baseball fans can intimately feel and understand. Scully paints the picture on the field more beautifully than any announcer of his day.
One of the things I appreciate most about the veteran synchronizing Scully is how he works alone. It’s more personal that way. There aren’t any color commentators to chime in with their opinions. Although Scully has called more than just baseball games, the National pastime is his forte. He specializes in engulfing the listener into a game that was meant to be broadcast on the radio. I am probably one of the few fans left who consider radio baseball better than TV baseball. I would rather hear Scully portray what’s happening on the field than access the game with my own eyes. The Dodger announcer uses the crowd to feed off of and makes them a part of each broadcast. Vincent Edward Scully will celebrate a birthday on November 29th. Today, we celebrate THE voice of baseball for the commitment and commentaries carried out, and give thanks for at least one more season of enjoyment. Even if you don’t frequently listen to Dodger games, afford praise to one of the great veterans of the game.

Parting Points: One of baseball’s veteran players agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. Ken Griffey Jr. will return for his 22 year in 2010.
Jam for Veteran’s Day- “Smooth” by Rob Thomas and Santana