Vin Scully, RIP -- August 3, 2022

I was sad to learn that Vin Scully has died. Scully was a fan of the New York Giants.  Mel Ott was his favorite player.  In 1950, he began announcing Brooklyn Dodgers games.  After 67 seasons, he retired as announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Ironically, the last game of the Dodgers' season was against the San Francisco Giants, at Pac Bell Park.

I have always hated the Dodgers, but admired Vin Scully.  When I was young, I discovered that I could tune in Los Angeles AM stations at night, including KFI, which carried the Dodgers.  He also did the Game of the Week and sometimes the World Series. I liked his voice.  It was soothing. 

Vin Scully Retires -- October 2, 2016

Vin Scully was a fan of the New York Giants.  Mel Ott was his favorite player.  In 1950, he began announcing Brooklyn Dodgers games.  Today, after 67 seasons, he is retiring as announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Ironically, the last game of the Dodgers' season is against the San Francisco Giants, at Pac Bell Park.

I have always hated the Dodgers, but admired Vin Scully.  When I was young, I discovered that I could tune in Los Angeles AM stations at night, including KFI, which carried the Dodgers.  I like his voice.  It is soothing. I wish him well. 

The Giants have guaranteed at least a tie for the National League Wild Card.  They have beaten the Dodgers in the first two games of the last series.  There was a tie for the Willie Mac award, between Javier Perez and Brandon Crawford.  Both good choices.

Updated 9:00pm.  The Giants swept the Dodgers and secured the second wild card spot.  The Giants carried Vin Scully's call of the third inning.  They unveiled a plaque in the press box, marking the site of Scully's final broadcast.  Willy Mays stood with him. 

Mel Ott -- October 16, 2014

Inspired by the book Few and Chosen: Defining Giants Greatness Across the Eras by Giants great Bobby Thomson and Phil Pepe, I thought I would devote my nickname meme to Giants players for several months.

Mel Ott, "Master Melvin" was a slugging right fielder for the New York Giants.  He played for the Giants from 1926 to 1947.  He was the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs.  Many people said he took advantage of the short porch in right field in the Polo Grounds.  He managed the team from 1942 to 1948.  Sadly, he was the subject of Leo Durocher's famous statement which is remembered as "Nice guys finish last."  What Leo the Lip, then managing the Dodgers, said was “The nice guys are all over there, in seventh place.” 

===================

To quote Russ Hodges:  "The Giants win the pennant.  The Giants win the pennant.  The Giants win the pennant."   The Giants won the National League Division Series, beating the Cardinals 6-3 on a walk-off home run.  They will face the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.