When Vin Scully’s passing was announced during Tuesday’s Dodger game, along with millions of others, I felt as if I ‘d lost a family member. Touching tributes have been pouring in from around the world. I just wanted to add my own small note.
Anyone who’s a Dodger fan is a Vin Scully fan. He was the face and the voice of the team. The legendary broadcaster was one of my idols. Hearing him say, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,” always made me smile.
Many years ago, my late brother Stan, a television director in San Francisco, had the joy and privilege of working with Vin at a Giant’s game. What struck Stan was his ease at broadcasting.
Vin Scully was known for his storytelling. My brother said what amazed him was that Vin would be chatting with him during a break, turn around to announce the game, then turn back and pick up right where he’d left off without missing a beat.
I’d always been excited to catch glimpses of him in the announcers’ booth when I paraded around the warning track during the annual pups in the park event at Dodger Stadium. Then, thanks to Charley and Elbee, I had the chance to meet him in person.
I was walking with the dogs at an upscale mall in 
Calabasas, when, to my delight, Vin came walking out of a store. As soon as he spotted them, I heard that familiar voice say, “Will you look at that!” For a groupie like me, it was a surreal moment.
ELBEE It’s probably totally inappropriate to comment here, but she really owes me for that one.
While he waited for his family to come out of the store, we talked dogs and Dodgers. He was even nicer than I’d hoped he’d be.
This week, during all of the accolades, I heard so many people refer to his incredible sixty seven years in the broadcast booth, beginning with the Brooklyn Dodgers. They shared fond memories of listening to him on the radio in his early days.
It brought me back to when I was a little girl in Syracuse, New York and my dad had baseball games on in the car. We didn’t have our own team, so he could easily have been listening to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
At the time, I was not really a fan so it seemed like background noise with a lot of static. Now to think that I may have heard that familiar voice all of those years ago takes my breath away.
Vin, you touched so many lives without taking credit for it. Your grace, your kindness and your humility are an inspiration. This Dodger fan thanks you.
