Vin Scully’s Retirement: The End of an Era

Jeremy Troetti, Staff Writer

Few people work for the same organization for 65 years, even fewer are able to show passion and dedication to their job. However, this is what Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, who is entering his 65th year with the team, has done.  Scully has been hailed as one of the most influential broadcasters in baseball, for his work with the Dodgers had inspired many current broadcasters and sports analysts to become who they are today. Scully is retiring at the end of the seasons, his reign as one of the best broadcaster in professional sports is set to come to an end in October of 2014.

Scully joined the Dodgers broadcast team, both in the television and radio booths, in 1950, when the team was still located in Brooklyn, New York. He began working alongside broadcasters Red Barber and Cornelius “Connie” Desmond, he eventually becoming the Dodgers primary broadcaster when both Barber and Desmond left the team. Scully remained with the team when they moved to Los Angeles, California in 1958, he has worked in Los Angeles since then.

Over his career, Scully has called 28 World Series, 18 no-hitters, 3 perfect games, and has seen every Dodger player from Jackie Robinson to Yasiel Puig play for the team. He holds numerous broadcasting records, including most World Series called as a broadcaster (28), and longest tenure with one organization as a broadcaster (entering his 65th season).

Scully is well known for his call that begins every Dodger game he broadcasts. Before the game begins, he emphatically says, “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” Any fan can tell by his tone of voice that he is passionate about his job. He continues to display that passion throughout the entirety of the game; right up until the moment the final pitch has been thrown.

Throughout his career, Scully has also worked for CBS and NBC, calling numerous games, both in baseball, and other sports. He has called the World Series, the MLB All-Star Game, NFL regular season games, NFL playoff games, the Super Bowl, and the PGA tour.

Undoubtedly, Vin Scully is one of the best sportscasters to ever call a game. He has already been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and has received many awards for his outstanding work, including the Ford C. Frick Award, he also had the broadcast booth at Dodger Stadium re-named for him in 2001. He will also continue his dedication and passion for his career into this upcoming season with the Dodgers, his 65th with the team. He is indeed, a living legend.