In the fall of 2016 the Dodgers opened a Division Series in New York. The Mets would close it, in the 3-game minimum. With little to do, a reporter checked the subway map and rode out to where he thought Ebbets Field had stood. There was a sign for the “Jackie Robinson School,” but no other real commemoration that there might have been a ballpark, right there.
Fantastic tribute, Mark. He was the voice of my youth. Whether it be transistor radio under the pillow, or the family listening on the patio on a Sunday afternoon. Fire up some Farmer John wieners!
Vin was the essence of journalism, too. Like you mentioned, he was respectful of the opposition and leaned to the Dodgers.
Vin guided me as a writer, broadcaster and in college athletic communication. And this priority of being centrist focused isn’t shared by many peers, coaches or bosses/athletic directors, which is sad and myopic.
Unfortunately, what sells in nearly every other market is something else. Cheerleader broadcasters, partisan whiners and hometown shills. Here I may be biased: but many other team broadcasters really hate the Dodgers.
We were spoiled by Vin.
Lastly, what really struck me about Vin was his restraint. He rarely criticized players, coaches, video review or umpires. In his 65 year career he had more baseball knowledge than anyone.
Yet he would interject his opinion. While I WANTED his opinion, he played it down the middle.
I remember growing up in Wisconsin with Bob Uecker on my grandmother's radio, whenever the Brewers were playing. He narrated big portions of my life, it seemed. There was something more visceral about games on the radio, with our imaginations ramping up. Sadly, I only got to enjoy Vin Scully when he did national TV broadcasts. I am not sure I ever got to listen to him live on the radio, but I imagine he was the J.R.R. Tolkien of sports broadcasting, except he was creating a more vivid real world adventure as it unfolded. And what a voice, the nourishing serenade of a friend. Thanks for this wonderful remembrance!
Thank you for quite a tribute to Vin.
Very well done, Mark, as usual.
"[T]he smile in his voice."
I never thought of it that way, but yes. Great description. The bounce in his step was in his voice.
Vin was what spring and summer sounded like. (And just occasionally happened to work Octobers.)
Excellent
Excellent work, Mark. Vin was a master who painted oral masterpieces of nouns and verbs and adjectives. Yours served his quite well.
Amazing remembrance, Whick. Thank you.
Beautiful column, Mark.
You nailed it Mark. Thxs for the heart-felt tribute to a gentle man who helped generations create and hold on to so many memories.
Just tone-perfect. Thank you.
Fantastic tribute, Mark. He was the voice of my youth. Whether it be transistor radio under the pillow, or the family listening on the patio on a Sunday afternoon. Fire up some Farmer John wieners!
Vin was the essence of journalism, too. Like you mentioned, he was respectful of the opposition and leaned to the Dodgers.
Vin guided me as a writer, broadcaster and in college athletic communication. And this priority of being centrist focused isn’t shared by many peers, coaches or bosses/athletic directors, which is sad and myopic.
Unfortunately, what sells in nearly every other market is something else. Cheerleader broadcasters, partisan whiners and hometown shills. Here I may be biased: but many other team broadcasters really hate the Dodgers.
We were spoiled by Vin.
Lastly, what really struck me about Vin was his restraint. He rarely criticized players, coaches, video review or umpires. In his 65 year career he had more baseball knowledge than anyone.
Yet he would interject his opinion. While I WANTED his opinion, he played it down the middle.
Rest In Peace: gentleman.
Terrific column, Mark. Makes me wish I had listened to him more.
I remember growing up in Wisconsin with Bob Uecker on my grandmother's radio, whenever the Brewers were playing. He narrated big portions of my life, it seemed. There was something more visceral about games on the radio, with our imaginations ramping up. Sadly, I only got to enjoy Vin Scully when he did national TV broadcasts. I am not sure I ever got to listen to him live on the radio, but I imagine he was the J.R.R. Tolkien of sports broadcasting, except he was creating a more vivid real world adventure as it unfolded. And what a voice, the nourishing serenade of a friend. Thanks for this wonderful remembrance!