Spring Is in the Air

The signs are all around you. Leaves on the trees have started to pop. Aqua blue skies form the backdrop over an eye pleasing green diamond, spotted with bases so white they glow against the brown clay of the infield. Listen carefully and you will hear the melancholy sounds of baseball on the radio. . . "Two and two to Harvey Kuenn, one strike away. Sandy into his windup, here's the pitch: Swung on and missed, a perfect game!"

For millions of fans spring rings in The National Pastime; baseball. A time of renewed hope and fresh starts. The season officially kicked off Sunday, April 5, 2015, 7:05 pm (CST) with the Chicago Cubs battling the St. Louis Cardinals at historic Wrigley Field on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Don't be fooled though, it's the magic of radio that still captures the vivid detail and excitement of a game.

"He has done it four straight years, and now he caps it: On his fourth no-hitter he made it a perfect game."

Vin Scully 2002 @Dodger Stadium, Photo by; Patrick Ball

With 162 games to play, 30 teams step confidently into opening day with renewed hope.

Is this year "Next Year" for the Cubs?

Yes, every baseball fan has their special team. In California alone we have five teams to choose from: The Los Angeles Dodgers, Angels of Anaheim, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics. Each storied franchise has it’s own spring traditions.

I’ll admit my spring ritual is to begin the season listening to games on the radio with play-by-play announcer Vince (Vin) Scully broadcasting. Now in his 66th season with the Dodgers! The longest tenure of any broadcaster with a single team in professional sports history.

Vin Scully began his career as a student broadcaster and journalist at Fordham University. In 1950, Scully joined Red Barber and Cornelius (Connie) Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers radio and television booths at Ebbets Field. When Barber got into a salary dispute with World Series sponsor Gillette in 1953, Scully (along side Mel Allen) took Barber's spot for the World Series. At 25, Scully became the youngest man to broadcast a World Series game (a record that still stands).

Red Barber left the Dodgers after the 1953 season to work for the New York Yankees. Scully became the Dodgers principal announcer. Vin Scully announced Dodger games in Brooklyn until 1957 when the club moved to Los Angeles.

“The rest is history.”

Are you ready for the 2015 season? Today with the magic of the iPhone, Android phone, iPad, computer, or yes an ole’ fashioned transistor radio - fans of the game can experience the melodic cadence of baseball from anywhere. Tune to your favorite local radio station or download MLB.com At Bat® and enjoy.

So, join me if you like. Beginning Opening Day, Monday, 1:10 p.m. (PST), from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. the magical voice of Vin Scully will once again fill the air waves.

"Clayton Kershaw has faced nine batters, retired all nine, while striking out five. If he keeps getting outs, that will be the main part of the story, unless somehow the Rockies get off the floor."

Spring is in the air.

Comments

Patrick Ball said…

Shocking news Vin Sculley passes away on August 2, 2022. His stories on the radio made baseball live for so many. He will be deeply missed.

August 2, 2022 at 8:45 PM

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