Vin Scully was honored with the Icon award at the ESPYs on Wednesday night, and he got a hero’s welcome from Bryan Cranston and the rest of those assembled in Los Angeles.
Scully was his classic self on Wednesday, gracious and kind as his famous voice echoed out once more in front of the best athletes on the planet. Cranston introduced Scully with an emotional speech honoring Scully in his retirement after more than six decades broadcasting in baseball. He then introduced Scully after a video honored some of his most famous calls, including Hank Aaron’s record-breaking home run, his call of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in the World Series, and his call of Kirk Gibson’s “impossible” World Series home run.
Scully got a standing ovation, then got to utter his famous “Hi everybody and a very pleasant good evening to you,” one final time.
“You know I said that for about 65 years, but I last said it in October when I retired,” Scully said. “And I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to hear it one more time.
Scully was particularly touched that Cranston would fly out to introduce him, saying he’s a “such a wonderful human being.” Scully added “I don’t have a relative in the world that would make that kind of trip,” then talked about how he fell in love with baseball and how his career started.
It’s honestly just nice to hear Scully’s signature voice again, and Cranston truly seemed to be excited about honoring the broadcast legend. And the retired broadcaster showed he still had a gentle touch with words.
“God gave us memories so we can have roses in December,” the ever-eloquent Scully said. “In the December of my years I have collected so many roses. And cherished each and every one of them. And you give me a rose tonight to join my collection for all those years. I am humbled. I am honored. And I know another thing: my work was never, ever a burden. I consider it always a blessing.”
Scully is a sports icon in so many ways, and it was wonderful to see him appropriately honored and to see him in classic form one more time.
