LA Dodgers: Looking back on some of the most memorable Vin Scully calls
![LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Retired Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, right, hugs Los Angeles Dodgers Spanish language broadcaster Jaime Jarrin during a pregame ceremony inducting Jarrin into the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdodgersway-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2022-2F08-2F1043452674-850x560-499d381dc62fb258ae5ad7639e632af7.jpg)
Vin Scully spent 67 seasons with the Dodgers, calling games, telling us stories, and talking of cotton candy clouds. He’s had so many memorable calls, it’s impossible to count.
Starting his career in 1950 with the Dodgers in Brooklyn and ending it in 2016 with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Scully has broadcasted thousands of games. I was lucky enough to be in the crowd at Dodger Stadium for his last game in LA. Let’s just say there was crying in baseball that day!
When I hear anything Scully has broadcasted or narrated, it still pulls at my heartstrings. The way he called a game is a thing of beauty and it even made non-baseball fans adore him, simply because of his way with words. My best friend, who isn’t even into baseball, knows who Vin was and was actually the first person to text me when the legendary broadcaster recently passed.
When the news broke of his passing, I couldn’t believe it. It was a notification on my phone that I didn’t believe I had received. Without even knowing Vin Scully, it felt like I knew him and that he was my friend and my Dodger Grandpa. He had that way about him … simply with the way he talked to us during games. The world was lucky to have had him as long as we did and my condolences go out to all of his loved ones.
Although it’s definitely a task to narrow all of Vin’s amazing broadcasts/calls down to just a few memorable ones, I’m going to try!
These will be in no particular order, because, let’s face it, they’re all gold.
Sandy Koufax’s Perfect Game (September 9, 1965)
As a Dodgers fan, I have a list of current and former Dodgers I’d like to meet. I had the pleasure of meeting Tommy Lasorda at a spring training game years back. Incredible.
Sandy Koufax, one of the all-time Dodger greats, is on the list of people I’d like to meet as well. Watching the ceremony for the unveiling of his new statue at Dodger Stadium, I could just tell how loved Koufax is among those who know him. Clayton Kershaw even got a little emotional when he was speaking about what Koufax means to him.
Hearing Scully, the best broadcaster ever, call Sandy Koufax’s perfect game is a thing of beauty. I’m so happy that this audio exists and we could hear Vin talking about how Koufax threw so hard that he lost his hat. Scully is so descriptive, it’s like we were at the game with them in 1965.
After Koufax finished the perfect game, Vin took a step back and let the crowd noise be heard. He was so good at doing that in the right moments.
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Kirk Gibson’s HR in 1988 World Series (October 15, 1988)
I was just a baby when this game was played, so I don’t remember it, although I’m sure I watched it with my family.
Even just the thought of me being able to hear Vin call this game as a baby makes me smile. This brings us arguably two of the most iconic things that Vin has said, which are widely known across all of baseball.
The first being Scully saying, “High fly ball into right field — she is goooone!” followed by Scully then saying, “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”
There’s a cool backstory to Gibson coming out to play in this game that I absolutely love hearing and here’s Vin telling that story:
Hi everybody. As promised, here’s a quick story about Kirk Gibson’s utterly surprising World Series home run back on October 15, 1988. @23KGibby @Dodgers @MLB pic.twitter.com/NjFc6BEq1E
— Vin Scully (@TheVinScully) October 15, 2020
A story within a story. Scully’s impact was so far beyond the game, which makes him the undisputed best, and this moment marked by him is absolutely iconic.
Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run to Pass Babe Ruth (April 8, 1974)
Vin was right (of course) — this was an absolutely marvelous moment! Hank Aaron broke the home run record of another baseball great and, as Vin said it, “At ten minutes after nine, in Atlanta, Georgia, Henry Aaron has eclipsed the mark set by Babe Ruth.”
Hitting his 715th home run, Aaron received a standing ovation from the crowd in Atlanta and after reaching home plate, was greeted by his parents. What a sweet moment in baseball to be able to share that with his family; you could just see the joy on everyone’s faces!
Seeing the other players’ reactions to Aaron hitting his record-breaking home run is heartwarming as well. Moments like these are bigger than what team you’re on or root for, and listening to Vin talk about it, you can hear his joy and happiness, which is why he was a legend outside of the Dodgers’ booth.
Aaron went on to hit 755 total home runs in his career and that record was held by him for an amazing 33 years. Arguably one of the best to ever play the game, it’s no surprise that he was able to accomplish this feat, and he’s likely thankful Scully was on the mic for the epic achievement.
Clayton Kershaw’s No-Hitter (June 18, 2014)
You know that list I mentioned earlier of current and former Dodgers players I’d like to meet? Well, Clayton Kershaw is at the top.
Kershaw is definitely one of my favorite players; he has so much talent and does so much good off the field as well. He recently hosted his annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose event on Aug. 8 at Dodger Stadium.
Nonetheless, I remember watching Kershaw’s no-hitter and being on the edge of my seat because I was so nervous. I’m still pretty salty about the fact that this outing could have and should have been a perfect game, but a no-hitter is obviously a great accomplishment for any pitcher.
Listening to Vin call Kershaw’s no-hitter and seeing the joy on the Dodgers players’ faces as well as the AJ Ellis/Clayton Kershaw embrace is one of my favorite moments in a game that I’ve seen live. Also, can we talk about how cute he and his wife are together?! Seeing her in the seats with a big smile on her face, so proud of her hubby … adorable!
Vin calling it all just made the no-hitter and all the moments of celebration that much more legendary.
The banner that the Dodgers unveiled underneath Vin Scully’s press box earlier this month says it best:
A message from Dodger Stadium to Blue Heaven. pic.twitter.com/R5H5aUNfn3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 6, 2022
I miss you already, Vin, and I always will.