There is nowhere that you can go to in the continental United States and find someone… anyone who has never heard of Vin Scully – the man who is not only ‘The Voice of the Dodgers’ but who has also been proclaimed ‘The Voice of Baseball.’

On Thursday morning, Scully, who will celebrate his 86th birthday on November 29, was named as the Grand Marshal of the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade which, of course, will be held on January 1, 2014 in Pasadena, California. And while this is fantastic news and a well-deserved honor for the best there ever was, it bares the burning question…

What took so long?

Vin Scully will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade. (Photo credit – @VinScullyTweet)

When you consider that the 2014 Rose Parade with be the 125th such parade (which began on January 1, 1890), Vin Scully has been around for all but 38 of them – and they’re just getting to him now?

Nonsense!

There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Scully, arguably the most humble human being who ever lived, would ever say one word to anyone about being snubbed as the grand marshal of the oldest and most famous parade in the entire country (sorry Macy’s). And knowing Vin Scully as we all do, it is entirely possible that he may have been invited to be the grand marshal but may have turned it down. (If anyone has any personal knowledge of this, please comment below). But I sincerely believe that he was never even asked, or voted upon, or however they decide who the grand marshal will be.

In true Vin Scully-style, the 85-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster expressed his gratitude for his selection.

“I am deeply humbled and greatly honored to be the Grand Marshal of the 125th Rose Parade,” Scully said on Thursday morning in front of Tournament House in Pasadena. “I look forward to sharing this wonderful moment with my wife Sandi and the millions who will be watching.”

Vin’s wife Sandi accompanies her loving husband everywhere, including his press conference on August 23 when Scully announced that he would be returning for an unprecedented 65th season as the Dodgers broadcaster in 2014. She will be by his side on New Years day. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

One of the more prestigious honors of being the Rose Parade Grand Marshal is that Scully will flip the ceremonial coin at the 100th Rose Bowl Game.

When you look at the long list of the former Rose Parade Grand Marshals it is a very formidable list that includes former Presidents of the United States, motion picture and television celebrities, astronauts, humanitarians, professional athletes (including Jackie Robinson posthumously in 1999),  heroes (such as Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III – the Hudson River hero pilot), and a wide variety of other national heroes and notable people. But it also includes Kermit the Frog and Mickey Mouse.

Are you kidding me? Kermit the Frog comes in ahead of Vin Scully? Again, I say nonsense.

But alas, it is done – the Tournament of Roses Association got it right and has named the most beloved man in Southern California as the Grand Marshal of the most beloved parade in the country, and all is well – finally.

Scully will now share the honor of being a Rose Parade Grand Marshal with his good friend astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, who was the parade’s Grand Marshal in 1999 along with Jackie Robinson (posthumously). (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Happy New Year!