Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully announced tonight that, “God willing,” he will be returning to the broadcast booth in 2016 for his 67th season as the voice of the Dodgers.
OFFICIAL: It’ll be a very pleasant 2016. Vin Scully to return for his 67th season. pic.twitter.com/i2WrutItRO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2015
Prior to today’s game at Dodger Stadium between the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, Cubs manager Joe Maddon visited with Scully in the press box. After the visit, ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers sent out two tweets:
Vin Scully asked to meet w Joe Maddon just to say hello and talk some baseball. Maddon went up to the pressbox to hang w Vin — Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 29, 2015
Maddon said there should be an announcement tonight re Vin coming back for another season or retiring
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 29, 2015
This caused some stress among Dodger fans, which was relieved a little bit with Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register tweeted an update:
Scully divulged The Decision to Joe Maddon, who wouldn’t give it up: “He’ll announce it tonight. I was happy about what he said.” — Mark Whicker (@MWhicker03LANG) August 29, 2015
The Dodgers didn’t make the fans wait too long for the announcement. After Clayton Kershaw struck out Miguel Montero to end the top of the second inning, Jimmy Kimmel appeared on the Diamond Vision screens at Dodger Stadium and broke the news:
hang on for the announcemnt….made by Jimmy Kimmel using signboards on the videoboard…”Vin..will…be.back,..for 1 more year…(at least
— Mark Whicker (@MWhicker03LANG) August 29, 2015
Vin waves to crowd, which is giving close to standing ovation…PA system plays “Dancing In The Street” — Mark Whicker (@MWhicker03LANG) August 29, 2015
Once again, it is a happy day for Dodger fans, who voted the “Most Memorable Personality” in Dodger history — 39 years ago. Scully, who will turn 88 just after Thanksgiving, was trained by fellow legend Red Barber. Barber, who passed away nearly 23 years ago, was the broadcaster for the first televised game in Major League history in 1939. Eleven years later, Scully, the 22-year-old redhead out of Fordham University, joined Barber in the Dodgers booth, where he has been ever since.
And where he will be, again, in 2016.
UPDATE: Here is video of Kimmel’s announcement:
Official in-stadium video announcing Vin Scully’s return, featuring Magic Johnson and Jimmy Kimmel, via @MLB https://t.co/YM09xuPfoa
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 29, 2015
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