San Francisco honors a Dodgers legend
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SAN FRANCISCO -- The Dodgers-Giants rivalry is one of the most storied in professional sports. It’s a rivalry that has existed over decades, expanding from one coast of the country to the other.
Last October, the two fierce rivals met in the postseason for the first time in history, playing one of the most competitive and intense five-game series in recent memory. If you grew up in Los Angeles, you’re taught to dislike the Giants. The opposite rings true if you’re a Giants fan in the Bay Area.
But there are certain things -- and people -- that transcend a rivalry even as heated as the one the Dodgers and Giants have established. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully, who died on Tuesday at age 94, certainly falls into that bucket.
• Baseball world mourns loss of Vin Scully
After showing a touching tribute on the video board after Tuesday’s game, the Giants continued to honor Scully’s life on Wednesday. Both full rosters lined up down the first- and third-base lines to watch a four-minute video from Scully’s last broadcast, which took place on Oct. 2, 2016, at Oracle Park. The video was followed by a moment of silence.
“It’s a big loss for baseball,” said Giants pitcher and former Dodger Alex Wood. “I was lucky enough to get to know Vin for two years when I was in L.A. before he retired. I don’t think there’s ever been anybody like him, and there probably won’t be anyone like him ever again. … Really, really sad news, and a big loss for baseball, having him pass away -- but what a life.”
Before becoming the voice of the Dodgers in 1950, Scully grew up a Giants fan while both organizations were still in New York. His last tweet was wishing Hall of Famer and Giants legend Willie Mays a happy birthday. Nobody called more games between the two organizations than Scully.
"Vinny was a great announcer,” Mays said in a statement. “I met him in Brooklyn in 1951 at the ballpark, Ebbets Field, with Leo Durocher and Jackie Robinson. What a nice, nice man. He did his job and all the ballplayers loved him. He will be greatly missed.”
The respect for Scully in both organizations is much bigger than the rivalry on the field. After finding out the news of Scully’s death, Giants president Larry Baer rushed down to the broadcast booths at Oracle Park, telling announcers they wouldn’t show anything on the video boards until after the game.
“I think people around here in the Bay Area and across the country can appreciate what Vin Scully meant to the game,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler. “Just as importantly, I think he made one of the most impactful broadcasting marks on the industry ever. We lost a great one.”
The Dodgers added a shoulder patch to their uniforms to honor Scully on Wednesday, and there is a tribute planned for their next game at Dodger Stadium, Friday against the Padres.