Los Angeles Dodgers players, the coaching staff, and front office gathered in center field prior to Friday’s series opener with the Chicago Cubs to pose for the annual team photo day.
However, this year’s rendition carried special meaning as it’s the organization’s last with Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully. With that, the Dodgers used the opportunity to honor Scully by printing cutouts of Scully’s face and distributing them to everyone in the photo.
Scully took the gesture in good stride, even if it was more of the unwanted extra attention he asked not to receive.
Since announcing his intention to retire after the 2016 season, Scully has been honored by a street renaming, the scheduling of Vin Scully Appreciation Night, and more.
A popular tradition of sorts that’s been established is umpires, opposing players and managers making their way up to the press box to visit with the 88-year-old during their final visit to Dodger Stadium.
Earlier this month Boston Red Sox designated David Ortiz, who is also retiring at the end of the season, met with Scully. The Red Sox presented Scully with a framed photo of himself prior to throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park, and the program from the first game he called at the iconic stadium.
More recently, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon and catcher David Ross made their way up to the broadcast booth. It carried special meaning for Ross, who was drafted by the Dodgers in 1998.
Ross debuted with the club in 2002, and spent parts of three seasons playing for the Dodgers. He gifted the iconic voice of the franchise a ’67’ from the Wrigley Field scoreboard and a Dodgers flag that hung at the Cubs’ home stadium.
