Dodger Thoughts

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By Jon Weisman

Stevie Nicks said she was backstage Thursday during the Los Angeles Dodger Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala when she began to think about time. Nicks started performing with Mick Fleetwood nearly 50 years ago, and the years were something to contemplate.

And then her thoughts turned to Vin Scully, the night’s honoree whom the members of Fleetwood Mac met before their performance began, and his 67 seasons of service to the Dodgers, and she was blown away.

Nicks then dedicated the ballad “Landslide” to the Dodgers’ Hall of Fame announcer.

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older too

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From 2015 …

— Jon Weisman

Originally published July 4, 2016

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Vin Scully and a montage of baseball history meet the memorable James Earl Jones monologue from “Field of Dreams” in the above video.

— Jon Weisman

Originally published May 26, 2016

Vin Scully is the subject of an eloquent cover story by Tom Verducci for Sports Illustrated that you can see here.

— Jon Weisman

Originally published May 10, 2016

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By Jon Weisman

Baseball legend Willie Mays turns 85 today. Mays was always a favorite of Vin Scully, and Scully taped a birthday greeting that is more than just platitudes — it’s a celebration of greatness.

Scully’s praise for Mays is for good reason, and not just for his legendary catches. If you haven’t looked at Mays’ stats recently, or recollected anything beyond his 660 home runs, take a moment to refresh.

Originally published May 6, 2016

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During the top of the second inning Saturday, Vin Scully announced he had researched all things beards. Well, pull up a chair indeed …

— Jon Weisman

Originally published May 1, 2016

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This clip includes the fantastic experience of Vin Scully reading a grocery list, and it’s like a melody (as if you expected otherwise). His pronunciation of “bologna” will surprise no one who grew up on his Farmer John commercials.

– Jon Weisman

Originally published April 17, 2016

By Cary Osborne

Minutes before he took the field on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium for the Dodgers’ Vin Scully tribute, Dodger legend Maury Wills reflected on a gift given to him from the Hall of Fame announcer. It’s a gift that has stayed with the 1962 National League MVP for more than 50 years.

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By Jon Weisman

In a breathtaking experience that traversed Dodger history from Don Newcombe to Clayton Kershaw, Vin Scully received an emotional tribute before the first pitch of his final Opening Day at Dodger Stadium as the team’s broadcaster.

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Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

At the end of the street formerly known as Elysian Park Avenue, we witnessed today what happens when an unstoppable force meets a moved city.

In the driveway of his home away from home at Dodger Stadium, a broadcaster without equal acknowledged the formal dedication of Vin Scully Avenue, thanking the grateful fan base that has hung on his words since 1950.

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In just under the wire before an expected Sunday rainstorm, it was a whale of a day at Dodgers FanFest (presented by State Farm), with activities and athletes galore.

As usual, no one set the tone better than Vin Scully, who took the FanFest stage and told the story above.

— Jon Weisman

Originally published January 30, 2016

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Ultimately, when the big moment came, it came in an instant.

By a 12-0 vote, the Los Angeles City Council approves a motion to change the name of Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue. 

Then, we are silent, because as we have been taught, there are times when it just makes the best sense to let the crowd speak for itself.

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