Vin Scully

Vincent Edward Scully (born November 29, 1927 in The Bronx, New York) is an American sportscaster, known primarily as the play-by-play voice of Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games.

Career in Brooklyn

Scully began his career as a student broadcaster at Fordham University. While at Fordham, he helped form its FM radio station, sang in a barbershop quartet, played center field, got a degree, and sent about 150 letters to stations along the Eastern seaboard. Scully ultimately got only one response, from CBS radio affiliate WTOP in Washington, which made him a fill-in. He was eventually recruited by Red Barber, sports director of the CBS Radio Network, for its college football coverage. Scully impressed his boss with his coverage of a gridiron match from frigid Fenway Park in Boston, despite having to do so from the stadium roof (expecting an enclosed press box, Scully had left his coat and gloves at his hotel, but never mentioned his discomfort on the air).

Related Topics:
Fordham University - FM - Center field - Eastern seaboard - CBS - WTOP - Washington - Red Barber - College football - Fenway Park - Boston

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Barber mentored Scully and told him that if he wanted to be a successful sports announcer he should never be a "homer" (openly showing a rooting interest for the team that employs you), never listen to other announcers, and keep his opinions to himself.

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In 1950, Scully joined Barber and Cornelius (Connie) Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers' radio and television booths. When Barber got into a salary dispute with World Series sponsor Gillette in 1953, Scully took Barber's spot for the Fall Classic. At the age of 25, Scully became the youngest person to ever broadcast a World Series.

Related Topics:
Radio - Television - Gillette

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Barber left the Dodgers after the 1953 season (to work for the New York Yankees). With Desmond often sidelined due to problems with alcoholism, Scully eventually became the team's principal announcer.

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Scully called the Dodgers' games in Brooklyn until 1957, after which the club moved west, along with the Giants — becoming the first two Major League baseball teams west of St. Louis.

Related Topics:
Giants - Major League baseball - St. Louis

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