By: Jessie Sha
Vin Scully, an American sports commentator, is well-liked because he was honest, idolized because he was reliable, and trusted because he hated phonies, frauds, and showboats as much as his fans did. Vin Scully’s act never went out of fashion because it wasn’t a real act, and it was never in fashion. What he carried out every night through more than six decades as the voice of the Dodgers, which really was the voice of baseball, was a clear, straightforward, report of what happened, while adding in a bit of wisdom. He is humble and never trumpeted his achievements or hyped up the action on the field.
However, Vin had a crazy ability to see big stuff coming. His call of Kirk Gibson’s World Series home run in 1988 is famous, but it’s what he said before the physically wrecked slugger’s mighty swing that reveals Scully’s magical connection with the game’s big moments: "All year long, they looked to him to light the fire, and all year long, he answered the demands until he was physically unable to start tonight,” Scully said. And then it happened, and Scully said only what was necessary: “High flyball into right field. She is gone.”
On his last broadcast, Scully told his audience: “You and I have been friends for a long time. But I know in my heart that I’ve always needed you more than you’ve ever needed me.” He left them with a prayer, that “God give you for every storm, a rainbow. For every tear, a smile.
For every care, a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share.” Now, people will honor him and his death at the age of 94.