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That Time of Year

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Catchers are squatting, and pitchers reporting - you be of good cheer.  “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

 Hah, you thought it was Andy Williams singing about Christmas.  Nope, for millions of baseball fans Spring Training rings in The National Pastime. A time of renewed hope and fresh starts. The season (for me) officially kicks off Monday, April 4, 2016, 7:05 pm (PST) with the Los Angeles Dodgers battling the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

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

 Is this year "Next Year" for the Cubs? Ok, I’m a die hard Cubs fan at heart. Did anyone catch Bill Murray playing the 2016 Pebble Beach ProAm wearing Cubs golf slacks? John Daly would have been proud. 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 my iPhone with play-by-play announcer Vince (Vin) Scully broadcasting. Now in his 67th season with the Dodgers! The longest tenure of any broadcaster with a single team in professional sports history. So let's check the schedule at MLB.com to see when my favorite teams are playing at home, that's a must.

Did you know, 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 1953 World Series. He became the Dodgers principal announcer. At 25, Scully became the youngest man to broadcast a World Series game (a record that still stands).

 Vin Scully announced Dodger games in Brooklyn until 1957 when the club moved to Los Angeles. He is the only announcer to handle play-by-play and color analysis in the broadcast booth.

 Listen carefully and you will hear exciting replays of baseball history 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!" One of Vince Scully's most famous calls.

 Are you ready for the 2016 season? Today with the magic of the iPhone, Android phone, tablet device, computer, or yes an ole’ fashioned transistor radio - fans of the game can experience the melodic cadence of baseball from anywhere. I delight in listening to Spring Training games to get an idea of who was traded to what team. Tune to your favorite local radio station or download MLB.com At Bat® and enjoy.

So, join me if you like. Opening Day, Monday, 7:10 p.m. (PST), from Petco Park in San Diego, CA. when the magical voice of Vin Scully will once again fill the air waves.

On second thought, maybe we should be singing the 1962 Danny Kaye song, "So I say D - I say Do - Dod - Dodg - Dodgers - team - team - team, Oh . . . "

Yes, it’s that wonderful time of year!
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