Los Angeles Dodgers honor Vin Scully with pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts ended a pregame ceremony honoring broadcaster Vin Scully by working the gang via a refrain of Scully’s well-known line, “It is time for Dodger baseball.”

Scully, who referred to as Dodgers video games for 67 years and retired in 2016, died Tuesday at age 94.

“It speaks to how a lot love the Dodger household has for Vin,” Roberts mentioned. “It was a particular second.”

Behind a phenomenal blue sky, there was a second of silence at Dodger Stadium on Friday for the lovable Scully, adopted by a video narrated by Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner and accompanied by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole’s memorable model of “Someplace Over the Rainbow.”

Scully as soon as described a phenomenal evening as “a cotton sweet sky with a cover of blue.” He was the soundtrack of baseball video games for generations of Dodgers followers and a masterful storyteller.

Roberts mentioned Scully would not have appreciated all the eye.

“Vin, as he is trying down on us proper now, effectively, he hated the highlight on him,” Roberts mentioned. “Nicely, that is going to be a really uncomfortable second proper now, however he deserves it. Vin was a person of character and integrity and sophistication, a real gentleman. He wasn’t only a Dodger. He cherished the sport of baseball that all of us love and care about.”

Dodgers and San Diego Padres gamers stood alongside the first- and third-base strains through the ceremony. Los Angeles’ uniforms featured a round patch on the sleeve with a microphone under the identify “VIN.” The identical brand was painted onto the again of the pitcher’s mound. Highlights of Scully’s profession have been performed all through the sport.

A few of Scully’s belongings, together with his World Collection rings, shall be featured on the stadium this season. The “Welcome to Dodger Stadium” signal outdoors the ballpark was engulfed with playing cards, flowers and tokens of affection from a whole lot of followers.

When Scully referred to as his final recreation at Dodger Stadium in 2016, he had a banner that hung from his sales space that learn: “I will miss you.”

Scully advised the gang he wanted them excess of they wanted him. His final go to to Dodger Stadium was June 9, 2021.

Later through the ceremony, the Dodgers gathered on the mound for a photograph with the printed sales space within the background. There was a brand new banner, unveiled by broadcasters Joe Davis and former Dodger Orel Hershiser, that learn, “Vin, we’ll miss you.”

Followers gave a standing ovation when the video concluded with an image of Scully waving from the sphere with a rainbow behind him.

“He is the connection, the material from the followers to the group,” Roberts advised followers through the ceremony. “Gamers change; groups are totally different. However he was the one fixed. And so each evening, whenever you activate the sport, listening to his voice was constant. And he was the conduit for a lot of to share tales, paint footage and name a ballgame.”

The umpires gathered at dwelling plate and appeared as much as the printed sales space and tipped their caps in honor of Scully. Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin, who by no means had the chance to fulfill Scully, did the identical from the mound.

“Having the ability to have the beginning in the present day on the primary day again with the ceremony, simply needed to indicate my appreciation for Vin,” Gonsolin mentioned.

The Dodgers gained 8-1.

The Related Press contributed to this report.