OT: RIP Vin Scully
- Thread starter NUCat320
- Start date
I had an anthology, “The Greatest Baseball Stories Ever Told”, that had a transcription of his call of Koufax’s 1965 perfect game. Turns out, salon.com had the same.
Poetry.
Poetry.
A great story about one of the greatest baseball games ever. Bob Hendley, the Cubs pitcher, gave up only one hit, which did not figure in the scoring.
I grew up in Central New Jersey with a father, who loved baseball, having played in the Cubs farm system. I was able to watch the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies and occasionally even the Orioles, after their move from St. Louis. Mel Allen, Red Barber, and Vin Scully were household names but watching Mantle, Mays and Snider in their prime was a treat, At that time, I think Mel Allen was more famous than Vin Scully but Red Barber may have been the most enjoyable to listen to. Of course, all this changed when the Dodgers and Giants moved west
Baseball was the center of my universe in the 50's. My dad was unique in that he played the outfield left handed , the infield right handed but batted left handed. My dad built a backstop in our pasture and would pitch batting practice to me both right and left landed. When I graduated from HS and had not been accepted at any college, he wanted me to sign a minor league contract with the Braves or Phillies but NU came through in August before I turned 18
Baseball was the center of my universe in the 50's. My dad was unique in that he played the outfield left handed , the infield right handed but batted left handed. My dad built a backstop in our pasture and would pitch batting practice to me both right and left landed. When I graduated from HS and had not been accepted at any college, he wanted me to sign a minor league contract with the Braves or Phillies but NU came through in August before I turned 18
I never met Scully, but have heard from several of his typical way of greeting people in the pre-game press box feeding room. Whether you were a raw cub reporter or a local TV sports anchor, he would join you at the table and say, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Vin." And he'd remember your name from then on. Assuming he did that in every town, that's pretty impressive. His humility and pride in his work was unfeigned. A shame he was never in politics, for he'd have gotten my vote.
Nice touch by Cubs yesterday. For the stretch they pulled out tape of Scully doing "Take Me Out..." which he did shortly after Caray's death.