I’m a huge fan of Marty Brennaman, the longtime radio voice of the Reds. Many of my childhood memories center around listening to Marty and Joe Nuxhall on the radio, describing the action at Riverfront Stadium. We would sit on the front porch nearly every night to listen, or my brothers and I would play wiffle-ball in the front yard while the game was on the radio in the background.
I always enjoyed when the Reds went on trips to the west coast, because I would lay in bed until one or two in the morning, listening to the ballgames. As far as I was concerned, no one could paint a picture like Marty Brennaman, and I remain a devoted fan.
However, last year I was able, through the magic of the internet (and MLB.TV) to watch some L.A. Dodger games, and thus, listen to Vin Scully broadcast. Only one word can describe Scully’s talent: wow.
I’ve never heard anything like Scully. Even in the twilight of his career, he remains a joy to listen to. This year, I’m going to get the MLB Extra Innings package, mainly to watch the Reds. But I’ll definitely be able to enjoy Scully some more this year, and I’m looking forward to it, even though I couldn’t care less about the Dodgers.
I mention Scully because Eric Neel has this wonderful post about Scully over at The Baseball Analysts. It’s a good tribute to a great broadcaster.
And I think Marty has agreed on many occassions that there is no better talent than Vin Scully. I live in LA and tune in to Dodger games all the time to listen to him. It doesn’t matter that he reads off stat sheets for every player so you know how Daryl Ward fares against lefties on Tuesdays when the temperature is cool but humid. This gets old, but he could be talking about the effects of soil saturation on earthworm reproduction and it would sound good.
And then Rick Monday takes over and you want to shoot yourself.
Somewhere in the early days of my introduction to baseball, there was Red Barber who was a warm and wonderful commentator. I had nothing to compare him to. Then came Vinny. From then on (it must have been the mid 50’s) to present day, I have never stopped learning about life, the game and the wonderful humor Vin Scully brings to the
listeners every time he sits behind the mike. For this fan, the season doesn’t start until the first time I hear his familiar voice welcoming me. Over the years Vin has been there for me and feels not unlike a member of our family.
Happy Birthday, Vinny!
So many of the baseball announcers today can’t hold a candle to Vin Scully. They talk too much, they don’t say enough and they think they are comedians. I pity that day when Scully decides to stop what he obviously loves doing.