With the close of every NCAA basketball season, comes the beginning of every baseball season. For us this means spring, warmer days, hot dogs, (or Dodger dogs if you're like me) and all of the sounds that go with Americas pass time. Baseball has a very unique soundtrack. There is the unmistakable sound of a bat connecting with a ball on the "sweet spot." There's the organ playing as it crescendo's towards the cries of "CHARGE!!!" The 7th inning stretch and 50,000 fans singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Even the nonsense mumbles of heckling fans as they try to disrupt a player, or get under the skin of an umpire...."Heeeey batter batter batter, SWING!!" Or, "Get off your knees blue, you're blowing the game!" Baseball is full of great sounds, but the best sounds are in the voices.
In Philadelphia, fans will tell you about Harry Kalas and his "outta here" phrase uttered after every home run. He was a Phillie from '71 until his death in 2009...38 years. In Detroit, they'll tell you about Ernie Harwell. Ernie was a Tiger for 42 years. The Tigers replaced Ernie one year, but the outcry from his fans forced the Tigers to bring him back the following season. He retired in 2002, and died just last year. On the north side of Chicago, it's all about the gruff, sometimes mumbled sounds of Harry Caray. Caray was loved by Cubs fans maybe more than they loved their own players. From his home run call, "It might be, it could be, IT IS!! A home run!!" to the now famous tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from the broadcast booth along with the fans of Wrigley..."and uh 1, and uh 2, and uh...." And even though John Sterling provides Yankee fans with his signature "Thaaaaaa, Yankees WIN!" I think the voice most remembered by NY fans will be the one that came from public address announcer Bob Sheppard. Sheppard was the PA man from '51-2007. His calming, melodic voice was loved not only by fans, but by the Yankee players he introduced. So much so, that Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter has a recording of Sheppard's voice introduce him to this day. Sheppard died in 2010 at the age of 99.
For me, and just about every Dodgers fan out there, the voice of baseball has always been Vin Scully. Vin has been a Dodger for 62 years, going all the way back to the Brooklyn Dodgers days. He has been there for every one of their World Series titles. His voice has been part of some of the most historic games in baseball. Bill Buckner in '86...."Behind the bag!!" Sandy Kofax perfect game in '65. Hank Arron breaking Babe Ruth's Home Run record in '74. And of course, Kirk Gibson and "The Natural" moment of his career, the Game 1 home run in the bottom of the 9th in the '88 World Series. But Vin is more than that. His voice coming from another room where the TV or radio is on is as familiar as your Grandfathers voice calling out your name. It's soothing, comforting, and unmistakable. No one can paint a picture better than Vin. You will know exactly how the sky looks, the shape of the clouds, and how cute the little girl in the front row is, all dressed up in her dodger gear, watching the game from the safety of her daddy's lap. He can tell stories from baseballs past, and seems to have enough knowledge to fill hours of broadcast time. But he also know the enormity of "the moment." Several times in his career, he has been praised for knowing when to sit back, be quiet, and let the sights and sounds of that moment tell their own story.
Baseball has a wonderful soundtrack. It's one I look forward to every Spring. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe Vin is on, and I have some listening to do.
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