Golden voice, golden man

For our Boys of Summer—the fading L.A. Dodgers—it’s almost time to sadly invoke that old bromide, “Wait ‘till next year.” But for our Voice of Summer—the incomparable Vin Scully—that saying is cause for celebration. Scully has announced he’s returning for another year, his 62^nd with the Dodgers, dating back to the Brooklyn days.

For me, and millions of you, his voice has been an uplifting summer soundtrack for decades—musical in its rhythm and lyrics.

In junior high, I remember carving out the pages of one of my dad’s books (a prized book, it turns out) so I could hide a transistor radio and listen in class to Scully call the ’63 World Series. Of course, I got caught—with no regrets.

Years later, as a new UCLA grad, I wrote to Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley offering my services in the booth alongside Vin. Mr. O’Malley wrote back saying thanks, but that the broadcast team was in good shape.

Then, in my early 50s, I had the honor of interviewing Scully on radio station KPCC for 30 minutes. I’d ask a question and off he’d go—eloquent, funny, profound.

Yes, here in Los Angeles we’re facing serious social and economic problems. But it’s good to know that, like in so many years past, one transcendent man will be there to provide comforting continuity amid the changes and challenges.

Posted 8/26/10