The annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game gives the best players in the sport a chance to showcase their skills on the same field. For the fans, it’s multiple days’ worth of excitement and festivities, with the Home Run Derby also being a big draw.
Last year the Los Angeles Dodgers were represented in the Midsummer Classic by Adrian Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, Yasmani Grandal, Clayton Kershaw and Joc Pederson. Gonzalez, Grandal, Kendrick, Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Corey Seager, Justin Turner and Chase Utley were named to the 2016 All-Star Game ballot when voting opened last month.
With this being Vin Scully’s 67th and final season in the broadcast booth, there’s been a groundswell of support for the Hall-of-Famer to be included by FOX to call the All-Star Game in San Diego.
No matter how strongly people may wish for that to come true, it doesn’t appear it will become a reality as Scully declined the invitation to call the game, according to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated:
On behalf of his network, Zager told Scully that Fox Sports would accommodate him however he wished, whether that was calling one inning, the entire game or even being a guest in the booth. “I told him, ‘Look, everyone would love to have you as part of the All Star Game,’” Zager said. “Anything you would want to do, we will make it happen.”
Scully was very appreciative, according to Zager, but he declined the invitation.
The news hardly comes as surprise when taking into account the 88-year-old Scully has stressed time and time again he does not want the spotlight on him this season. He also politely rejected an invitation from the New York Yankees to call a game when the Dodgers visit Yankee Stadium in September.
While he doesn’t wish to receive any notoriety, Scully was honored with the renaming of Elysian Park Avenue that runs from Sunset Boulevard to Dodger Stadium Way. Additionally, the Dodgers added Vin Scully Appreciation Day, set for September 23, to their 2016 promotional calendar.
