Vin Scully Salute at Dodger Stadium: “He loved the game of baseball”

Vin Scully, the legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who died Aug. 2 at the age of 94, was remembered at a tribute Friday at Dodger Stadium as a towering but humble figure whose work transcends the team stretched out and became part of the fabric of baseball.

“He wasn’t just a Dodger — he loved the game of baseball that we all love and care about,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during the memorial ceremony that preceded the Blue Crew’s home game tonight against the San Diego Padres.

“Vin, you will be missed,” Roberts said from the field, surrounded by team members. Some players wore special hats adorned with the image of an old-fashioned microphone with wings.

“We love you. We will think of you every day. Every game we come here to, every fan that shows up at Dodger Stadium, there is a reason you will always be remembered. You will always be with these five words: It’s time for Dodger baseball,” Roberts said.

Roberts instructed the 50,000 spectators in the stadium to stand and shout those five words loud enough for Scully to hear the game begin from his seat in the “blue sky.” The fans committed themselves, many of them with tears in their eyes.

Roberts also had Dodgers announcers Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser unveil a larger banner that hung below the picture booth of the broadcast booth that read, “We’ll miss you, Vin.” This was a nod to a similar banner that Scully revealed on his last night in the cabin on September 24, 2016. This sign read, “I’ll miss you Vin.”

The welcome included a video highlighting Scully’s extraordinary life and 67 seasons with the team. It included several clips from Scully’s 2016 retirement ceremony, when he assured fans baseball would return in the spring, even if someone else was on the mic.

The emotions of the moment were evident in the faces of players and fans alike, who elevated Dodger Caps to the rare public figure universally revered and respected.

“You and I have been friends for a long time,” Scully said in that authoritative but reassuring tone that informed and entertained generations of baseball enthusiasts.

“There will be a new day and a new year. When the coming winter gives way to spring – huh-ho – rest assured, it’s time for Dodger baseball.”

darling @TheVinScully,

I just hope this video did you justice. You will never be forgotten, best rip ever 💙🙏🏾🐐pic.twitter.com/AzFrKYsXOj

— Erick (@MrErickVazquez) August 6, 2022