September 25, 2016
Vin Scully\’s retirement has afforded me the opportunity to avoid the madness that is the American socio-political arena…Vin\’s final Dodger broadcast, replete with Charlie Culberson\’s dramatic walk-off homer to clinch the Western Division Title, gave me strength to endure the debate the following night…
If God is male, and spoke English, I would expect him to sound exactly like Vin Scully. Many articles ago, I suggested that Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey of the Detroit Tigers also sounded like God — but since my departure from Michigan in 1984 (when the Tigs beat the Padres in the World Series) I\’ve not heard their voices…so it\’s been Vin\’s honey-coated voice that has provided my Summer canopy for 31 years now.
Whenever the wife complains that I am watching (or listening) to the Dodgers — I tell her that God is talking to me: she never appreciates the magnitude of my comment (or Vin\’s commentary for-that-matter).
Win-or-lose, Vin makes connecting with the Dodgers a pleasurable, meaningful and satisfying experience. For the duration of a game, or for the time I am listening to Him, Vin\’s voice brings me peace and fulfillment (even though he has been making some mistakes in his reporting the past 5-7 years). But we all know that God has made many mistakes over the course of human history — so a few reporting errors are no big deal.
There is something special about the voices of the great announcers: some unique characteristic that compels sports\’ aficionados to listen and enjoy. I have heard that Harry Caray had this quality — though I never really tuned into any of the teams he broadcast to confirm this. Bob Costas is definitely an excellent broadcaster and sports journalist — but his voice doesn\’t cause me to feel like Ernie\’s, Paul\’s or Vin\’s. Since I am only a-student-of-the-game-of-basketball — I can\’t comment on Chick.
And now I am pondering a Vinless Dodgers…the thought is frightening! Charlie Steiner has a cool tone and inflection — and definitely has potential to become a magical broadcaster for the Dodgers — but I always hear him with Rick Monday or Orel or someone else. I wonder what Charlie would be like flying solo?
Nomar is fun, but still has a long way to go. Ross Porter definitely has that voice, and seemed to be very knowledgeable about the game and players when he was with the Dodgers — but I gather he somehow ran afoul of Dodger management and is now broadcasting college games.
In a time where there is a dearth of heroes — Vin Scully stands head-and-shoulders above the few left. He may very well be the social conscience of greater Los Angeles. I reminded my sociology class of Max Weber\’s Charismatic Figure and that Vin is an example of-such-an-one — judging from the outpouring of love for Vin from around the country and the world of baseball. I\’m not sure a negative comment has ever been made about this Man (yes, I know he is not God — but I sure wish he was).
And so, it is with tears that I finish off this piece — realizing that at this moment-in-time, I have no one who will be able to pull my heartstrings for-6-months-each-year.
I wonder if the Queen knows of Vin? If He were a British broadcaster, I\’m sure he would have been knighted and referred to as Sir Vin!
Congratulations Vin and all the best — thanks for providing us all an oasis from chaos for so many years!