Happy Vin Scully Day!

It's good to be governor.

Per a press release:

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), in his capacity as Acting Governor, issued a proclamation today declaring July 8, 2016 as “Vin Scully Day” in the State of California to honor the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer.

Below is an excerpt of the proclamation:

It is Vin Scully’s style that has made him one of the best – if not the best – sports broadcaster of all time.  Chicago Tribune columnist Phil Rosenthal described the Scully story as about how “preparation, hard work, humility, unadorned precision – and knowing when it’s best not to speak at all – can make you better.”

Knowing when to let the roar of the crowd tell the story is a Scully trademark. When injured Kirk Gibson pinch-hit a walk-off home run against the Oakland A’s in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Scully paused for 68 seconds as the fans cheered while Gibson hobbled around the bases. Scully resumed his commentary with the memorable observation: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”

On the air, Vin Scully is the voice of optimism. He is humorous, lyrical, and even tender. His antidotes are perfectly fitted to what’s happening on the field.  Even in defeat, his dulcet tones comfort the most sorrowful Dodger fan.  In addition to calling over 9,000 Major League baseball games, Scully has broadcast 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games.

As he nears his announced retirement at the end of this season, I urge all Californians to take time to appreciate the treasure that is Vin Scully as not just an announcer but, as former baseball Commission “Bud” Selig put it, “the embodiment of the goodwill that our game inspires” and a reminder of why baseball is “forever the national pastime.”

In honor of this occasion I made a couple of fantasy Baseball cards of Vin Scully.  You can see them at the very top.  For both cards I used photographs originally taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.

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