For those who continue to wonder, ask and perhaps even beg: No, Vin Scully has no desire to be part of any sort of broadcast of the Dodgers’ upcoming World Series.
“I honestly don’t feel I belong there and I would not want anyone to think I was eager for a spotlight,” the retired Hall of Fame broadcaster said via email Friday morning.
Scully, who has made several early appearances at Dodger Stadium in a private suite during the National League Division Series and Championship Series, often seen with his wife Sandi, added that he is “trying to keep a low profile” this postseason when asked about media interview requests.
Had an amazing dream that I watched a @Dodgers playoff game last night with Vin Scully. Oh wait… it happened!! pic.twitter.com/FrJFD8aIjk
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) October 7, 2017
A couple of fan-based online petitions have already launched trying to coax the soon-to-be 90-year-old back in some capacity after he served 67 years as the voice of the Dodgers. “Bring Back Vin Scully to Call the World Series” is one at GoPetition.com; “Bring Vin Scully back for the World Series 2017” is at ThePetitionSite.com.
Going back to 2014, Scully has resisted overtures to be part of national broadcast spotlight games. As he said about a ’14 All-Star game appearance: “To be honest, I’m not interested in doing it any more. I’ve done enough of them. I’d feel like an intruder, really.”
Scully also declined last fall to rescind his retirement on the final day of the regular season to join the radio-only Dodgers’ broadcast team during the playoffs.
Fox is broadcasting the World Series, starting Tuesday and Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
Fox play-by-play man Joe Buck said Friday about a Scully appearance: “I swear on my late father, to have Vin come do some of the series with us and in my place would be an honor. If someone can hypnotize him and make him say ‘yes,’ I will drive and pick him up myself. He knows I feel this way, as does Fox and he continues to say no, unfortunately.”
After Thursday’s Game 5, Scully posed for a photo with his wife and daughter Cat celebrating the Dodgers’ advancing to the World Series with a photo Cat tweeted out.
Dodgers2017🎉💙 pic.twitter.com/4O0WgeFYRm
— Cat Scully (@cattherealtor) October 20, 2017
Scully does have a public appearance planned soon: The Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California, which had him tour four locations last March, has an encore performance for Scully on Nov. 4 in Pasadena.
