Giants fans help retiring Scully go out in style
SAN FRANCISCO — Vin Scully signed off for the last time at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, ending 67 years behind the mic for the Dodgers.
After pinch-hitter Rob Segedin flied out to left field to end a 7-1 loss to the Giants at AT&T Park, Scully spotted the umpires bidding him farewell from the field.
Scully, 88, closed his broadcast by telling viewers, “I have said enough for a lifetime, and for the last time I wish you a very pleasant good afternoon.”
Scully’s final day before retirement started with morning Mass in the ballpark, part of his usual Sunday routine. He then headed for his booth. In his initial comments to listeners, Scully made no mention of his impending retirement. But as the game progressed, he said he’d “miss our time together more than I can say.”
Later, as he explained his lifetime love affair with baseball, he told viewers, “I hope I’m not interrupting (the game) too much.”
Fans in the sellout crowd turned to look up at Scully during a standing ovation and held signs as a Scully video on the scoreboard welcomed fans shortly before the first pitch. Scully politely declined any kind of on-field celebration offered by the Giants.
San Francisco then jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first.
“Just as it has been for two years, the Dodgers are in trouble at AT&T Park,” Scully said. “The sun has broken through the clouds, and it is shining on the Giants for the moment.”
He handled the Giants’ broadcast in the third inning, then said while San Francisco fans might consider it no big deal, it was for him, noting his appreciation of the thoughtful gesture.
Giants CEO Larry Baer and Willie Mays presented a plaque to Scully before the top of the fourth, and Scully apologized for coming back tardy to the broadcast. “There’s a game going on,” Scully said, “Thank you, Larry.” He went on to express his gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Giants all weekend to him and his family.
Mike Krukow and the other Giants broadcasters told Scully how much they loved him and led “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in the adjoining booth from Scully during the seventhinning stretch.
Scully got on his feet in the booth next door and sang along. He laughingly shouted Dodgers instead of Giants during the portion of the song that says “root, root, root for the (home team).”
In the sixth, amid all the reflection and fanfare, Scully reminded his audience he was supposed to be handling play-by-play. “It has been a party, a retirement party,” he said, “and it has been marvelous.”