On April 18, 1950, Hall-of-Fame broadcaster and icon Vin Scully began his career as the announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The game involved the Dodgers facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Park, with Don Newcombe making the start.
Brooklyn suffered a 9-1 loss, with their only run scored coming via Jackie Robinson after the Phillies held a comfortable lead. Although Scully’s career started with a loss, everything he has done since is considered a win for not only the Dodgers franchise, but also all of Major League Baseball.
Scully began his broadcasting career at the age of 22. He took over full-time with the Dodgers when Red Barber left the organization to join the New York Yankees’ broadcast team after the 1953 season.
And Scully of course accompanied the organization when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. He went on to receive several awards and honors over his career, including Elysian Park Avenue being renamed to Vin Scully Avenue.
During his tenure, Scully was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He’s earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and received the Sportscaster of the Year Award on multiple occasions.
In 2014, Scully was recognized by former MLB commissioner Bud Selig with the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award. Before the start of the 2016 season, Scully announced that his 67th year would be his last as a broadcaster.
The final game he called at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 25, 2016, ended in a walk-off home run off the bat of Charlie Culberson in the 10th inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies, clinching the NL West in the process.
Scully enjoyed retirement with his family and only occasionally returned to Dodger Stadium. Once was to participate in the ceremony to induct Jaime Jarrín into the Ring of Honor, and another was when the Dodgers unveiled the logo for the 2020 MLB All-Star Game.
Scully passed away Aug. 2, 2022.
Vin Scully calls first Dodgers game in L.A.
Also on this day in Dodgers history — April 18, 1958 — the team defeated the San Francisco Giants, 6-5, at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum in their first game since moving from Brooklyn.
The game was started by Carl Erskine, a Brooklyn Dodgers legend who passed away April 16, 2024.
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