May 2, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully at press conference to announce their sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Guggenheim baseball management team at Dodger Stadium. Image: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

When we watch baseball on television, the game is the most important part of the broadcast.  Almost as important is who is announcing the game from the booth.  If you have more than option, life is even better.  For example, if I am driving and the Yankees are playing the Mets and I have to choose radio teams, it’s a no-brainer.  I will be tuning in to the Met two man crew of Howie Rose and Josh Lewin.  And if the Diamondbacks are playing the Dodgers and MLB Extra innings is carrying the feed for both teams, you can be sure I will be listening to the one and only Vin Scully.

This is not meant as a slight to the Arizona duo of Daron Sutton and Mark Grace.   I happen to think they are very good at what they do.  They are entertaining but not silly.  They are knowledgeable about the game but are not condescending.  In short, watching a D-Back game with those two at the mikes is a quality experience.   But they are not Vin Scully. No one in baseball, heck no one in broadcasting is like Vin Scully.  He is a living legend, now in his 62nd year calling games for the Dodgers.  When men and women decide they want to enter the field of television or radio be it in sports or news, they should be forced to listen Scully’s work every day for at least a month.   He never tries to make himself a part of the game, he just calls the game.  Many announcers today would be well-served to follow Vin-Man’s lead.

As the season continues, I will try to make a point to catch at least one inning a game of each Dodgers game.  I am not a fan of those Boys in Blue, I just want to hear Vin Scully tell another story about Sandy Koufax, Duke Snider or  Steve Garvey.  One never knows if 2012 will be the finale on one of the most storied careers we will see in our lifetimes.

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