Vin Scully calls last Dodgers home game Sunday; USC experts discuss why baseball will never be the same

Vin Scully will call his last game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday after 67 years with the Dodgers, the longest tenure for a sports broadcaster with one team in history.

The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster, who is retiring at age 88, has been with the organization since 1950 — before the Dodgers moved from the East Coast to West Coast and took up residence in Chavez Ravine.

His play-by-plays, anecdotes and introduction before each game — “Hi everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you, wherever you may be” — will be missed by baseball fans from Los Angeles to Brooklyn and all cities in between.

In anticipation of the legendary announcer’s final game — he’ll travel to the Bay Area to call the Dodgers’ final series against the San Francisco Giants next week — USC experts discuss his legacy and memorable vocal style.

Vin’s legacy

“The business of baseball, as well as the brand of the Dodgers, have been immeasurably enhanced by Scully’s commitment to — and passion for — the sport. His transcendent impact on generations of Southern Californians will not be surpassed any time soon. We have been privileged to have this treasure alongside Dodgers’ fans for so many years.”

DAVID CARTER
Executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute and professor of sports business at the USC Marshall School of Business, who plans to attend Scully’s last home game at Dodger Stadium

Inspiring others

“Vin Scully once said that what he does to evoke the image of baseball is to make the ballpark atmosphere enticing. That really resonated with me.”

BRIAN LAURITZEN
KUSC producer, quoted in the Los Angeles Times on how Scully inspired his broadcasting style

The Vin Scully rhythm

“I hear boogie-woogie … It’s swinging; in every instance that I’ve heard, he’s always had swing to it … It’s just amazing how he stays in cadence … The reason we songwriters use a pattern is to make a song memorable. I think people remember these game moments because of Vin’s musicality.”

CHRIS SAMPSON
Vice dean of the USC Thornton School of Music’s Division of Contemporary Music, quoted in the Los Angeles Times

His voice is his instrument

“He’s not only giving color analysis, he’s giving a concert … The cords compress the air in a very natural fashion … there’s no muscling of the instrument. It’s just organic. It just flows through him.

“You’re dealing with a virtuoso instrument … I think Vin has an instinct to know that something’s about to happen … so he uses his musicality to build toward that moment. He almost kicks it into gear.”

JEFFREY ALLEN
Assistant professor of popular music at  USC Thornton, quoted in the Los Angeles Times