The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that legendary announcer Vin Scully, who served as the team’s voice for more than 60 years, has passed away at the age of 94.
Stan Kasten, President, and CEO of the Dodgers issued a statement that read, “We have lost an icon.”
“Vin Scully, the voice of the Dodgers, was among the best in all of the sports. As a broadcaster and a humanitarian, he was a giant of a man “said Kasten
“He was a kind man. He cherished life. He adored the Dodgers and baseball. And he cherished his family. His voice will live on in all of our memories for all time.”
We have always needed you more than you ever needed us. We miss you, Vin. 💙 pic.twitter.com/s1hQo41S5K
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2022
The crew reported that the adored radio and TV host, Vincent Edward Scully, who was born in New York on November 29, 1927, passed away at his home in Hidden Hills, Los Angeles County. His five children, 21 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren are still alive.
In addition to numerous awards, Scully also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Scully, a Fordham University alum, started working for the Dodgers in their first stadium in Brooklyn, New York, after being hired as the third member of the broadcast team by Hall of Fame broadcaster Red Barber.
When Barber departed the Dodgers to join the New York Yankees two years later, Scully took over as the team’s announcer. At age 25, he was the youngest person to ever broadcast a World Series game.
As the young broadcaster admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Barber was a major influence “Red was both my father and my teacher. I’m not sure, but I could have been the son he never had. He didn’t really teach me how to broadcast, though that helped. It was a mentality. Arrive early at the park. Do your research. Get ready. Be precise.”
Scully took on the role of narrator for the tale of baseball’s greatest clubs from his perch in the broadcast booth. In addition to calling the final innings of Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, he was present when the “Boys of Summer” won their first World Series in 1955. The organization stated that it was one of more than 20 no-hitters that Scully covered throughout his career.
Scully left his hometown of Brooklyn when the team abruptly moved to Los Angeles in 1958 to continue his career with the Dodgers, which lasted for 67 years and was the longest stay of any commentator with a single team, according to the team.
He was heard on national TV as a baseball, golf, and football broadcaster in addition to covering the Dodgers.
His most well-known calls involved Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series and the Braves Hank Aaron’s 715th home run in Atlanta, which put him ahead of Babe Ruth.