September 25th, 2016 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka I admit it, I am a sentimental sort; or as my mom used to say of me as a youngster “You cry when the toast lands jelly up.” But for the most part and as Tom Hanks professed to us in the 1992 hit comedy A League of Their Own, “There’s no crying in baseball.”
As much as I hate to say it, Tom Hanks – who himself occasionally shows up for games at Dodger Stadium – was wrong. Dead wrong, in fact. And though the five-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Oscar winner was not at Friday night’s emotional farewell ceremonies for retiring Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, had he been, he undoubtedly would have shed a tear or two – or, in my case, a river of tears.
Although I’d like to say that I kept it together, when I looked around at my fellow Left Field Pavilion season-ticket-holder brothers and sisters and noticed a lot of wet eyes – not to mention the frequent shots of weeping fans up on the giant video boards – I absolutely lost it; especially when actor Kevin Costner, also a two-time Oscar winner, gave his absolutely phenomenal speech. And though I was able to (somewhat) hide behind the viewfinder of my camera, even that couldn’t hide my sniffles and occasional body tremors.
Why all of this sentimental nonsense?
Because the mere thought of Dodger games without Vin Scully behind the microphone or in front of the television camera is, quit frankly, absolutely terrifying; this regardless of how many times Vin has reassured us that the game will go on without him. Of course it will, just as it has for 147 years. But who is going to share those precious personal stories about every player and the wonderful memories that no one – absolutely no other person on the planet – can or will ever be able to share the way that Vin Scully has done for 67 glorious years.
Like I said … terrifying.
Having been blessed – and make no mistake about it, it is indeed a blessing – to be able to cover quite a few Dodger games for ThinkBlueLA from the (appropriately-named) Vin Scully Press Box for the past five seasons, I have come to know both Vin and Sandi Scully quite well. But even as such, I still get as giddy as a teenage girl with a new cell phone every time Vin addresses me by my first name. I certainly understand that Vin makes every single person he has ever met feel special and that it is always about them and not himself, but this is a very special gift that I will cherish so very very much until my final breath.
Yes… there IS crying in baseball.
…and it’s not because the toast landed jelly up.
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Kevin Costner’s message was indeed phenomenal. It is about the best I have ever heard. He certainly used Vin’s style to honor him. WOW!
The Dodgers do a wonderful job in honoring folks. The whole hour or so was very well done as well as all the other ways to honor and thank Vin. He seemed in awe that his name would be on the playing field.
haha, it would’ve been classic if Tom Hanks was there and caught crying on camera
I think I will miss Vin’s story telling a lot when I’m watching games. When he tells the stories of years ago it brings back memories of my own young lifetime.
There are only a few times I can remember hearing Sandy Koufax speak, and having him at this ceremony speaking his words of appreciation for Vin Scully was awesome!
Costner knocked it out of the park with one of the greatest baseball speeches ever given (I shed tears as well), and Scully was his usual unassuming and humble self… and did we expect otherwise? Not a chance. The mold was broken when Vin Scully was born.
And sadly, on this day, we also have tears of a different nature. For one last time, Vin Scully, as he has done countless many times before, will help us heal during yet another tragedy in life and in baseball.
Rest in peace, #16
Dodger games without Vin?
With him when we lose we still win!
His career? Unsurpassed.
In my heart he will last
When the memories all come flooding in.
Quite simply put…….The greatest experience of my life!!! How fortunate I was able to do this weekend. So much to soak in!
I woke up yesterday morning to the news of Jose Fernandez. How sad I was to see someone so young and so full of life pass on so early. I certainly made a point to say prayers for Jose and his family at Mass. As the day went on, I was looking forward to Vin’s last game at Dodger Stadium. As the game wound down, I was wearing my Corey Seager #5 jersey and hoping for one more from the rookie, and was not disappointed by the hit or the description by Vin. What a tribute to Vin in the way the Dodgers came back to win. With a Charlie Culberson HR no less. How many young men have had their moment immortalized with a HR described by Vin Scully, but none as much as this one. Charlie Culberson will forever be that Dodger that will never be forgotten. It may not be as dramatic as Kirk Gibson’s HR, but nevertheless all Dodger fans will remember the last HR Vin described at Dodger Stadium, and who hit it. I know that Vin Scully will be announcing the games in SF, but it will not be the same. I do not know if anyone wears (or has worn) the #67, but that number should be retired in honor of Vin’s 67 years with the Dodgers.
As high as I was after that game, I quickly learned of the passing of Arnold Palmer. It was truly an historic day in the Sports world. I will miss all three, two legends and one perhaps on his way. A day I will never forget, and yes I did cry for all three events.