When the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that broadcasting icon Vin Scully would return in 2016 for his record 67th season, little did we know there would be more news. In a press conference on Saturday, Scully told reporters that next season will likely be his last.
“I would say realistically — and I don’t want any headlines — but I would say next year would be the last one,” Scully said. “How much longer can you go fooling people? I would be saying, `Dear God, if you give me next year, I’ll hang it up.’ ”
Scully will turn 88 years young in November so he knows he can’t keep broadcasting forever. Vin has reduced his schedule in recent years from doing home games and the West Division to home and just San Francisco. And it appears that Scully may cut back even further in 2016. But as we anticipate saying goodbye to Vin next season, Scully said he took more time than usual to make his decision on whether to return, but he got encouragement from all people his own doctor:
“My doctor said to me, `Do you enjoy doing what you’re doing?’ I said, `I love it.’ `Do you still do it reasonably well?’ `I love it.’ `Then why would you give it up?’ I said, `Well, because I know I’m coming …’ `No,’ he said. `You retire and a year from now you’ll be an old man.’ And that kind of scared me a little bit.”
Well, we should all thank Vin’s doctor for telling him to come back in 2016.
It’s amazing to look back at Vin’s career and note that he began with the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn in 1950 and called their only championship in 1955. He moved with the team to Los Angeles and five more championships including several more on CBS Radio and NBC.
It’s sad to note that the end for Vin will come in 2016, but it’s also comforting that he’ll be going out on his own terms unlike many others who have never had the chance.
Vin won’t want a huge farewell, but you know that the Dodgers and their fans will want to say goodbye and show their appreciation for his 67 years of service to the team.
