By USA Today.
In Vin Scully’s final inning of work after 67 years as a broadcaster, he urged his listeners to embrace their younger selves and moved to reassure them that although baseball will proceed without him in 2017, the game will still stoke enthusiasm “as winter turns to spring.”
Scully’s last game was a poignant one, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 to clinch the final National League wild card berth and a date with the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Scully grew up a New York Giants fan, idolizing slugger Mel Ott, and began his broadcasting career calling games for the Brooklyn Dodgers before moving with the club to Los Angeles in 1958. So his final home game — a Dodgers walk-off win to clinch the division — and final road game were equally poignant.
In his final inning and in a recorded send-off, Scully grasped the sense of seeming despair his fans expressed in person, at the stadium and through social media during his farewell season. With the Dodgers down to their final two outs Sunday, Scully invoked the words of journalist A.J. Liebling, whose heyday came toiling for The New Yorker as Scully grew up there:
“The world isn’t going backward,” Scully said, reciting Liebling’s words, “if you can just stay young enough to remember what it was really like when you were really young.”
With rookie Rob Segedin at the plate, Scully delivered his final bit of play-by-play:
“This crowd is ready to burst at the seams right now. Boy, 489 consecutive sellouts here at AT&T Park. OK, big pitch coming up, the 2 and 2 on the way, Romo deals. Slider, hit to left, coming over is Pagan. He puts it away, and the Giants are the wild card team.
“The city is going wild, appropriately enough, and they are heading for New York.”
After wrapping up the official inning and game totals, and noting that the game umpires, in a postgame salute typically delivered pregame, gestured to his booth one last time, Scully turned his standard sign-off into a permanent farewell.
“I have said enough for a lifetime, and for the last time, I wish you all a very pleasant good afternoon.”
The Dodgers broadcast followed with a Scully highlight reel, followed by a message that he recorded at AT&T Park before Sunday’s game.
“You know friends,” Scully began,”so many people have wished me congratulations on a 67-year career in baseball and they wished me a wonderful retirement with my family and now, all I can do is tell you what I wish for you.”
He then recited an Irish blessing he’s repeated often in this final year.
May God give you..
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Scully then signed off with reassuring and familiar words.
“You and I have been friends for a long time, but I know in my heart I’ve always needed you more than you’ve ever needed me. And I’ll miss our time together more than I can say.
“But you know what? There will be a new day and, eventually, a new year. And when the upcoming winter gives way to spring, oh, rest assured, once again, it will be time for Dodger baseball.
“So this is Vin Scully, wishing you a very pleasant good afternoon – wherever you may be.”
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