The Voice of the Dodgers, Vin Scully, Dies at Age 94

On August 2, 2022, the sports world lost yet another legend as LA Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully breathed his last at 94.

For over 50 years, every match that the Dodgers played began with Scully’s unmistakable “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” Before fans saw him on television, they heard him on the radio. Scully wasn’t just the voice of the Dodgers; he was their heart and soul. He retired in 2016 after spending more time with a single team than any other announcer in all of sports history.

Scully’s greatness stems from more than this remarkable tenure. He was a walking, talking encyclopedia of baseball knowledge. This was shared through his trademark voice and uncanny ability to make a personal connection with millions of strangers.

Vin Scully knew the importance of once-in-a-lifetime moments. In 1957, when Joe Pignatano stepped up to bat for the first time as a (Brooklyn) Dodger, Scully wanted to make sure his family at home didn’t miss it. He implored his listeners to give the Pignatanos a call and make sure they were listening if anyone knew them.

Scully also had the honor of announcing some of the greatest moments in baseball history. One of these was in 1974 when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. Aaron was playing for the Braves, facing off against the Dodgers in Atlanta. With his full integrity on display, Scully called it a “marvelous moment” and let the world know a black man was getting a standing ovation in the Deep South.

Thanks to his voice and extraordinary gifts as a storyteller, even modern fans preferred to hear Scully rather than watch a game. Cary Gepner is one such fan, claiming the announcer could paint a better picture with words than what was on a screen.

In 2016, after an unprecedented 67 seasons with the Dodgers, Vin Scully decided it was time to retire. He was sent off in style with an emotional ceremony at Dodger Stadium. When asked what he would do next, Scully’s answer was perfectly fitting: “I’m going to live.”

Stan Kaston, the CEO and president of the Dodgers, called Vin Scully’s passing “the loss of an icon. He was a giant of a man who loved life, people, and baseball. He will be missed.”