Fifteen years ago, I wrote one of my favorite-ever stories—my love letter to the greatest announcer of them all, the poet laureate of baseball, Vin Scully.
For a young man with a single mom growing up in Glendale California, I was able to witness Vin Scully for 35 years. My friends and I would close our parking kiosk booth, gain sneak in through the field box gates, and sit in the front row on many many summer nights with our transistor radios close at hand. Listening to Vin Scully were some of the most magical moments I’ve ever had in my life. In fact, my very first date with my wife of 47 years was to Dodger Stadium.
Damn, Joe. Wet eyes. Again. And memories. Of driving the 101 N in the golden light of the setting summer sun. And, as you described, As that blue sky lightens whitens. With Vin on the radio.
At the end of his search I think Vin learned what anyone who travels abroad can tell you: you can’t see the Statue of Liberty if you’re not standing in NY.
Los Angeles … it is distinctly and uniquely, an American creation. A Huge Blinking Billboard seen even from darkened shores, saying to all with most hopeful dreams, in the brightest and most colorful of lights, “America!”
1. Joe, (I’m mouthing the words with him now) is maybe my favorite line you've ever written.
2. Having lived through a natural disaster in my small town 10 years ago...If you want to help financially, burning your money would be as effective as donating to the Red Cross. Please find a local relief organization. UMCOR is also a good alternative.
Born in NYC; grew up on LI. (Post 1957.) Moved to San Diego after college. Moved to San Francisco six years later. To say that I was bred, raised and trained to root against the Dodgers would be an understatement.
I moved to LA for a job in 2003. The one thing....the one thing... that made me happy about it: I knew that I could listen to Vin Scully during my summer evening commute.
Joe, this classic piece on Vin, brought tears to my old Dodger eyes. What a gift we had listening to him all those years. I still miss his voice and his ability to paint a picture while letting the game breathe.
When I went to college, I no longer lived in Cubs TV territory, so my parents got me a SiriusXM Radio and subscription so I could listen to their games … I listened to so much more of the Dodgers with Vin on the call and I am so incredibly fortunate and thankful for that.
Thank you, Joe. I remember being in LA for a business trip in the 80's or 90's. It was a beautiful summer night and I listened to Vin on the radio in my rental car. It doesn't get much better than that. He was the king of baseball announcers.
“The goose bumps,” he says. “They always come back.”
As mine so often do when I read your writing, Joe. Thank you.
Mention of Mulholland Drive, as in the film by David Lynch, who passed away today :(
For a young man with a single mom growing up in Glendale California, I was able to witness Vin Scully for 35 years. My friends and I would close our parking kiosk booth, gain sneak in through the field box gates, and sit in the front row on many many summer nights with our transistor radios close at hand. Listening to Vin Scully were some of the most magical moments I’ve ever had in my life. In fact, my very first date with my wife of 47 years was to Dodger Stadium.
Wonderful
Damn, Joe. Wet eyes. Again. And memories. Of driving the 101 N in the golden light of the setting summer sun. And, as you described, As that blue sky lightens whitens. With Vin on the radio.
At the end of his search I think Vin learned what anyone who travels abroad can tell you: you can’t see the Statue of Liberty if you’re not standing in NY.
Los Angeles … it is distinctly and uniquely, an American creation. A Huge Blinking Billboard seen even from darkened shores, saying to all with most hopeful dreams, in the brightest and most colorful of lights, “America!”
1. Joe, (I’m mouthing the words with him now) is maybe my favorite line you've ever written.
2. Having lived through a natural disaster in my small town 10 years ago...If you want to help financially, burning your money would be as effective as donating to the Red Cross. Please find a local relief organization. UMCOR is also a good alternative.
Beautiful story Joe. One small correction: Vin grew up in Washington Heights in Manhattan.
Perfect
Brilliant! :-)
I shed a tear or two 15 years ago the first time I read this and again today. Beautiful piece Joe, the only sportswriter who makes me cry!
Born in NYC; grew up on LI. (Post 1957.) Moved to San Diego after college. Moved to San Francisco six years later. To say that I was bred, raised and trained to root against the Dodgers would be an understatement.
I moved to LA for a job in 2003. The one thing....the one thing... that made me happy about it: I knew that I could listen to Vin Scully during my summer evening commute.
I miss him.
In a way, Los Angeles has never been a place, as such, more a shared idea and ideal, where everyone can find their place.
This is you at your best, Joe. Keep telling stories.
Joe, this classic piece on Vin, brought tears to my old Dodger eyes. What a gift we had listening to him all those years. I still miss his voice and his ability to paint a picture while letting the game breathe.
Thanks for re-posting it. ❤️
When I went to college, I no longer lived in Cubs TV territory, so my parents got me a SiriusXM Radio and subscription so I could listen to their games … I listened to so much more of the Dodgers with Vin on the call and I am so incredibly fortunate and thankful for that.
Thanks for sharing this Joe!
Thank you, Joe. I remember being in LA for a business trip in the 80's or 90's. It was a beautiful summer night and I listened to Vin on the radio in my rental car. It doesn't get much better than that. He was the king of baseball announcers.