Playing in their first World Series since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers arranged for memorable ceremonial first pitches before Games 1 and 2 at Dodger Stadium. The series began with Jackie Robinson’s family taking the honor, and Vin Scully leading the way before Game 2.
When Scully was announced, the expectation was he would throw the first pitch. The retired broadcaster broke into a monologue, much to the delight of the crowd. As Scully stood on the mound, he noticed a catcher was not in place.
Out came Steve Yeager, a member of the 1981 championship Dodgers team. With a retired catcher in place, Scully began to windup before joking of suffering a rotator cuff injury. So he commissioned Fernando Valenzuela to carry out the duty.
The trio then gathered together to pose for photographs before Scully announced his famed, ‘It’s time for Dodger baseball!’
While Dodgers fans relish any moment that involves Scully, he deemed the on-field involvement the last of his career in an interview on the Petros and Money Show on AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
“I was honored to be involved and I was touched by the crowd. I did say to myself as I walked out and heard the crowd, ‘Pay attention and listen, because this really is your last hurrah.’ I don’t expect to be back out on the field or do anything like that every again. It was a remarkable conclusion to a career.”
Since retiring at the end of the 2016 regular season, Scully has attended multiple playoff games both last year and this October. He also was on hand for and among the speakers at the official unveiling of a Jackie Robinson statue.
Then in May, the Dodgers inducted Scully into the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor. He addressed the crowd from the field and as he’s done so often, thanked them for their support while saying he was not deserving of the honor.
Scully began his career while the organization was still in Brooklyn and he spent a record 67 years with the club.
