Weeks removed from retiring after 67 seasons in the broadcast booth, Vin Scully returned to Dodger Stadium on Oct. 21, 2016. The public appearance was Scully’s second since he signed off for the final time.
He was on hand for Game 5 of the 2016 National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. While it was not to join the FOX broadcast of the game, Scully instead delighted the crowd from a suite at Dodger Stadium.
Prior to every home the team bestows either a special guest or lucky winner with the opportunity to announce, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” With Scully present, he naturally did the honor himself, much to the delight of fans.
#ITFDB pic.twitter.com/9XC6GBWRbx
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2016
Throughout the time leading up to his retirement, Scully maintained the fanbase and Dodgers franchise would move on just fine without him. That of course was a testament to Scully’s humble nature, but overlooked the fact he’ll forever be revered.
The Dodgers honored Scully in May 2017 by adding him to the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor. A plaque with his last name and microphone is now affixed along the railing of the suite level, and a microphone was added to the Retired Numbers plaza on the top deck at Dodger Stadium.
Elysian Park Avenue was also renamed to Vin Scully Avenue in 2016 in recognition of his contributions with the Dodgers over the years.
While he’s enjoyed spending time with his wife, Sandi, and family as a whole during retirement, Scully has returned to Chavez Ravine for special occasions. One was to induct Jaime Jarrín into the Ring of Honor, and another came as emcee of the event to unveil the 2020 MLB All-Star Game logo.
Scully began his remarkable tenure with the Dodgers organization at just 22 years old. He eventually supplanted Red Barber, who left to become the New York Yankees’ play-by-play broadcaster in 1954.
Scully was on the call for countless moments in Dodgers and professional sports history and earned several awards throughout his career. Among those was the the Ford C. Frick Award in 1982 and Scully was the 14th recipient of the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award in 2014.
In December 2016, Scully was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest-ranking award a civilian can receive.
