Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Vin Scully Told a Story of the Day He Wore a Dodger Uniform, Once Upon a Time


This might very well be the greatest Vin Scully story I have ever heard.

For those of you who do not have SportsNet LA yet, I figured I would transcribe what I thought was the best moment from tonight's opening presentation of the new Dodger channel.

It was from the "Access SportsNet: Dodgers" show, and a group of their broadcasters interviewed Vin Scully.

Orel Hershiser asked the following question:
"What is it like to have never put the Dodger uniform on, but to be the most famous Dodger ever?"
In classic Vin style, he deflected any notion that he's the most famous, and instead recounted a story I had never heard him tell.
Well, um... Number 1, I'll pass on that most famous Dodger, but actually I did put the uniform on, once.

We were in Chicago for a series, and for whatever reason we weren't broadcasting... and Tommy Lasorda said to me "have you ever watched a game from the dugout?"

And, I said, "no."

And, he said, "well, we have a uniform, you can sit in the dugout with us."

I said, "I'll go, but you must ask the umpires, and if they agree, cause I don't want them looking over and throwing me out of the game."

So, the umpires said yes, I put on a uniform, snuck in to the dugout, sat down with the cap pulled over my eye, and I figured no one knows except the team.

And, at the bottom of the 1st inning John Vukovich, God rest his soul, the 1st base coach of the Cubs, is running across towards the box.

And, as he goes by the dugout he hollers, "Vinny!"

And, I'm startled.  And, he throws a ball, and I catch the ball.  And, written on the ball, it says:

"If a fight breaks out, I want you" ... And, it's signed by Don Zimmer...

I look over and all the Cubs are falling on the floor, so it was the worse kept secret.

So, I did wear one Dodger uniform, once upon a time.
Awesome!

Pic at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014

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3 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this. LOVE it. Mr. Scully is the best ever.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for transcribing this, esp. because I'm one of the many without the channel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a story that had to be told, and I think far too many fans missed it because of this cable negotiation.

    My main wish is that a photo turns up showing Vin in that Dodger uniform. Please, oh please, let there be a photo of that somewhere.

    ReplyDelete

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