Baseball's Class Act -- the Yankees-Dodgers and Vin Scully

As a lifetime Dodger fan dating back to the early 1950s when they were still in Brooklyn, N.Y., I never thought I would thank the Yankees for anything, but I do, indeed, pay tribute to them for coming to Los Angeles recently to play our Dodgers.

Their presence, as the historic gold standard for Major League Baseball, enriched this city more than anyone will fully appreciate. Not only did they give the surging L.A. baseball franchise a serious test of its new found swagger, but they also allowed our iconic play-by-play broadcaster, Bronx-born Vin Scully, to remind us why he's one of the best sports broadcasters.

“On Saturdays, when the Dodgers are in town, Father Raymond makes a short drive to the stadium to celebrate Mass for staff and players.

Players like Loretta, along with Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre, take turns as lector. There are other famous regulars among the Dodger congregation, too, including noted sportscaster Vin Scully... For those needing the sacrament of reconciliation, Father Raymond is there for that as well.”

From here: http://204.144.14.20/x22062.xml

That man brought me a love for the game — that, and the Pirates/Yankees World Series in 1960. The very next spring, I happened to catch a Braves/Dodgers game on KFI. Back then, we could get KFI (LA) clear as a bell at night in Eastern Arizona.
Vinny and Jerry Doggett were just holding court, describing the action as Hank Aaron, Billy Bruton, Wes Covington, Eddie Matthews, Joe Adcock, Del Crandall, Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette made their moves. I remember the Dodgers, too; but they were good for other reasons, pitching mostly. But Vin could absolutely paint a picture with words, and above all, inflections of voice.
I was hooked on baseball then, and have been ever since.
I cannot say enough about my admiration for this special guy. May he live forever.

Some information:

Brooklyn Dodgers in Their Original Voices Paperback
by Vince Scully (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Brooklyn-Dodgers-Their-Original-Voices/dp/0966418107

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=vince+scully+brooklyn&qpvt=vince+scully+brooklyn&FORM=IQFRML

http://www.bing.com/search?q=vince+scully+brooklyn&form=MSNH14&pq=vince+scully+brooklyn&sc=0-16&sp=-1&qs=n&sk=&ghc=1

Red Barber, Connie Desmond, Vince Scully

Red Barber overheard young Scully on the Fordham radio station, and the rest was history.

1950 Giants-Dodgers 4/22
Called by Red Barber and Connie Desmond

Brooklyn comes back from a 5-1 deficit to win the game in the eighth inning.

NY N 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 - 6 8
BRO N 0 1 0 0 4 1 0 1 x - 7 7

George Alvin Helfer (26 September 1911 - 16 May 1975) was an American radio sportscaster.

Nicknamed “Mr. Radio Baseball”, Helfer worked six World Series, ten All-Star Games, and regular season broadcasts for several teams (among them the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers and Oakland Athletics) and the Mutual network

Helfer was reunited with Barber (who often addressed him on-air as “Brother Al”) on the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasts in 1939. They worked together until 1941,

He rejoined the Dodgers for their last years in Brooklyn,

I heard them all.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.