Vin Scully was one of the most iconic baseball broadcasters ever, having spent a remarkable 67 years as the lone Dodgers sportscaster on radio and television. He was known for his distinctive voice, lyrical style, and signature introduction to Dodgers games: “It’s time for Dodger baseball! Hi, everybody, and a charming good (afternoon/evening) to you, wherever you may be.” He died on August 2, 2022, at the age of 94.
Early Life and Education
In the Bronx, New York, on November 29, 1927, Vincent Edward Scully was born. His biological father died of pneumonia when he was four, and his mother later married an English merchant sailor named Allan Reeve. He grew up in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and attended Fordham Preparatory School. At age eight, he developed a love of baseball when he saw the results of the second game of the 1936 World Series and felt sympathy for the defeated New York Giants. He worked various jobs as a teenager, including delivering beer and mail, pushing garment racks, and cleaning silver in the basement of the Pennsylvania Hotel.
He graduated from Fordham University in 1949 with a degree in English. He was a member of the university’s radio station WFUV and called football and basketball games for the Fordham Rams. He also sang in a barbershop quartet and wrote for the school newspaper.
Broadcasting Career
Scully began his professional broadcasting career in 1950 when Red Barber, the legendary sportscaster for the Brooklyn Dodgers, hired him. He became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game in 1953 at age 25. He moved with the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958 and became their sole announcer in 1964. He called some of the most memorable moments in baseball history, such as Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Hank Aaron’s 715th home run in 1974, Kirk Gibson’s walk-off homer in the 1988 World Series, and Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter in 2014.
In addition to Dodgers baseball, Scully also worked for CBS Sports from 1975 to 1982 and NBC Sports from 1983 to 1989. He covered various sports, such as football, golf, tennis, and boxing. He called several Super Bowls, Masters tournaments, Wimbledon championships, and Olympic games. He also narrated documentaries and commercials.
He was scully retired from broadcasting after the 2016 season at age 88. His final game was on October 2, 2016, between the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. He received numerous tributes and honors from fans, players, teams, and fellow broadcasters throughout his career and after retirement. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 from President Barack Obama.
Personal Life and Death
Scully was married twice. His first wife was Joan Crawford (not to be confused with the actress), whom he married in 1957. They had three children: Michael (who died in a helicopter crash in 1994), Kevin, and Erin. Joan died of an accidental overdose of medication in 1972. Scully remarried in 1973 to Sandra Hunt, with whom he had two more children: Catherine and Todd. Sandra died of ALS in 2021.
He died on August 2, 2022, at his Hidden Hills, California home. He was surrounded by his family and listening to a Dodgers game on the radio. The cause of death was not disclosed. His five children, 21 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren are still alive.
Vin Scully Net Worth
Vin Scully had an estimated net worth of $25 million at his death. He earned an annual salary of $3 million from his broadcasting contract with the Dodgers. He also made money from endorsements and appearances.
Height
Vin Scully was 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters).
Career Highlights
Here are some of the career highlights of Vin Scully:
- I called more than 9,000 games for the Dodgers over 67 seasons.
- I called a record 28 World Series games.
- I called a record 25 All-Star Games.
- I called four perfect games (Don Larsen’s in 1956, Sandy Koufax’s in 1965, Tom Browning’s in 1988, and Dennis Martinez’s in 1991).
- I called 23 no-hitters.
- He called the first coast-to-coast televised baseball game in 1951.
- He called the first televised game from Japan in 1956.
- He called the first televised game from Australia in 2014.
- Received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
- He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1982.
- Received the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award from MLB in 2014.
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2016.
- He had his microphone logo retired by the Dodgers in 2016.
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