Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Tag: Vin Scully (Page 3 of 17)

Sandi Scully: The wind beneath Vin’s wings

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If there’s no one whom we’re bigger fans of than Vin Scully, there’s no bigger fan of his than his wife, Sandi. For our Dodger Insider tribute to Vin Scully, Mark Langill provided us with this feature on the First Lady of the Vin Scully Press Box.

Click here to read the entire story.

— Jon Weisman

#VinTop20: No. 6, Roy Campanella tribute

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Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 6: the 1959 Coliseum tribute to Roy Campanella.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1176694683″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 7, Don Larsen’s perfect game
No. 8, Monday captures the flag
No. 9, ‘We go to Chicago!’
No. 10, Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter
No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

Vin Scully on the Dodgers-Giants rivalry

vin-1961By Jon Weisman

This morning, Vin Scully spoke on a conference call with the national media. Given the series beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium and the fact that he will call his final game October 2 in San Francisco, several questions circled around the Dodgers-Giants rivalry.

Here’s a sampling of what he had to say …

Sharing a memory of Giants broadcaster Russ Hodges:

With Russ, when I was back in New York, I can actually remember one night in his kitchen harmonizing with Russ and Ernie Harwell, one of the beautiful memories in my entire life.

On broadcasting Dodgers-Giants games in San Francisco, starting in 1958:

First of all, when we arrived at Seals Stadium, they did not really have any kind of a radio booth. We didn’t televise. So we actually were one row behind the regular fans, and once they realized that we were doing, for instance, a beer commercial live, why, they’d start hollering, just good-naturedly, but they’d start hollering the names of all the other brands of beer that they could possibly think of. So that taught us to record all the commercials rather than be heckled by the fans. And (also), in all honesty, I’d be doing the game at Seals Stadium, and a fellow would turn around and just say to me, “Do you have a match?” It was that informal and that close. So that was an experience. But it was new, it was exciting, and the fans were fun.

At Candlestick, the wind was a nightmare, but I also thought that the surroundings affected the personality of the audience. I could be completely wrong, but it was cold and raw, windy, and I think the people in the stands were unhappy and sometimes would take their unhappiness out. I mean, we actually had one or two players, if I remember correctly, go up into the stands over somebody making some terrible remark.

But once they moved to AT&T Park, it’s completely different. The fans are good-natured, they’re happy, they’re fair, they’re wonderful. And although I certainly know nothing about mass psychology and all that stuff, I think the weather at Candlestick kind of embittered the fan, and the weather at AT&T has made it a wonderful party atmosphere. No meanness at all.

On the essence of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry:

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In a career so improbable, the impossible has happened: We have to bid Vin Scully farewell

impossible

Our Dodger Insider tribute to Vin Scully hits the Dodger Stadium stands tonight — distributed free at the autogates (one per vehicle) and at Fan Services booths (for those who arrive via alternate transportation) through September 24, and then to every fan with the special commemorative cover on Fan Appreciation Day, September 25.

To lead off our salute to the beloved broadcaster during his final homestand with the Dodgers (sigh), here’s my piece trying to capture what he has meant to his listeners for the past 67 seasons — and what happens for us now, as we confront the reality of his upcoming departure.

Click here to read the entire story.

— Jon Weisman

Four swings, four homers — one Vin

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Today is the 10th anniversary — unbelievably — of the greatest game at Dodger Stadium this century, the 4+1 Game. To celebrate the occasion, here’s a sneak peak from this week’s Dodger Insider magazine tribute to Vin Scully, in which we relive the night through his words.

Click here to read the entire story.

— Jon Weisman

Two Vin Scully covers next week for Dodger Insider

september-19-24-dodger-insider-cover

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover of Dodger Insider magazine for September 19-24. This will be distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation.

As is the case with the Special Commemorative Edition that will be given at the ticket gates to the first 50,000 fans September 25, the September 19-24 edition has been dedicated to celebrating the life and career of Vin Scully. The main difference is the September 25 edition will have the special commemorative cover. Existing subscribers will receive the September 25 commemorative issue.

Looking forward to you getting your copy …

— Jon Weisman

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Scully’s choice not to do playoffs painful but justified

LOS ANGELES DODGERS V ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Dodgers at Yankees, 4:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Justin Turner, DH
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Carlos Ruiz, C
Kiké Hernández, CF
Rob Segedin, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
(Julio Urías, P)

By Jon Weisman

Vin Scully’s confirmation to Bill Shaikin of the Times that he won’t broadcast any playoff games is shocking to many, but he’s been clear for a while about the significance of his final day, October 2.

… He then connected the day he was walking home from school and heard about a World Series game that cemented him as a baseball fan (a Giants fan at the time, to be honest) and changed his life.

“That little boy saw that World Series linescore — October 2, 1936,” Scully said. “My last game, my wonderful last game after 67 years with the ballclub, will be against the San Francisco Giants. It will be October the 2nd, 2016. Exactly 80 years from when that little kid saw that Giants score.” …

Similar to his choice not to participate in any network postseason broadcasts at this point of his life, Vin is deservedly ending his career on his terms.

If there’s any upside to this, it’s that for all of us privileged to be in his audience, the firm departure date allows the focus to be on saying goodbye to Vin, rather than having that parting diluted by playoff triumph or tragedy.

It’s going to be indescribably difficult to say farewell to Vin Scully, and I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want one more game with him, one more inning, one more pitch. But if you think about it it — no surprise — Vin is right.

Vin Scully Special Commemorative Edition magazine comes to Dodger Stadium on September 25

september-25-commemorative-dodger-insider-cover

By Jon Weisman

For Vin Scully’s final homestand with the Dodgers, we’ve created something special for Dodger Insider.

The 96-page September 19-25 issue of the magazine has been dedicated to content celebrating the career of the beloved broadcaster. And on the final day of the season — Fan Appreciation Day — the first 50,000 ticketed fans will get an edition with the special commemorative cover seen above.

Read More

#VinTop20: No. 7, Don Larsen’s perfect game

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Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 7: Don Larsen’s perfect game.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1147737783″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 8, Monday captures the flag
No. 9, ‘We go to Chicago!’
No. 10, Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter
No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

#VinTop20: No. 8, Monday captures the flag

8-monday-flag-1024x576
Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 8: Rick Monday captures the flag.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1145671883″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 9, ‘We go to Chicago!’
No. 10, Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter
No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

#VinTop20: No. 9, ‘We go to Chicago!’

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Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 9: The Dodgers clinching their first National League pennant in Los Angeles.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1140651383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:

No. 10, Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter
No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

#VinTop20: No. 10, Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter

10-Kershaw-1024x576

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 10: Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1131807283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

#VinTop20: No. 11, Joe Ferguson’s throw

image1

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 11: Joe Ferguson’s stunning World Series throw.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1131933383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 12, Fernandomania begins
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

#VinTop20: No. 12, Fernandomania begins

Vin 12

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 12: The pitch that launched Fernandomania.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1129200283″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Previously:
No. 13, ‘The Squeeze!’
No. 14, Nomo’s No-No
No. 15, the 4+1 Game
No. 16, Don Drysdale’s streak stays alive
No. 17, Mike Piazza, Giant-slayer
No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam
No. 19, Manny’s Bobbleslam
No. 20, Mark McGwire hits it way, way out

KTLA to broadcast Vin Scully’s final six games

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

KTLA Channel 5 will air Vin Scully’s final six broadcasts through an agreement with Charter that was announced today.

The six simulcasts with SportsNet LA include the September 23-25 home series finale against Colorado — which will be Vin Scully Weekend at Dodger Stadium — and the last three games of the regular season, September 30-October 2 in San Francisco.

The September 23 broadcast will also feature the live Vin Scully Appreciation Day pregame ceremony, beginning at 6:15 p.m.

In all, Scully will work 16 more games — six on the homestand that starts tonight, seven from September 19-25, and the final three at AT&T Park.

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