Vin Scully to be honored with leadership award

LOS ANGELES - When you talk about leaders and those at the top of their game, there is one voice who stands alone.That voice of Hall of Fame magnitude belongs to Vin Scully, who just completed his 63rd season behind the microphone for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scully began broadcasting for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and he has never missed a season, holding the record for the longest tenure of any broadcaster with a single professional sports team. Scully's golden voice and charismatic attitude have earned him the privilege of being presented with the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation's Allan H. "Bud" Selig Executive Leadership Award at the Foundation's 10th annual "In The Spirit of the Game" Sports and Entertainment Spectacular at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on Jan. 12. Scully, 85, will be presented with the award by its namesake, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig. The Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation has helped baseball scouts in need due to job loss, illness or financial hardships over the past nine years through the success of the annual "In the Spirit of the Game" Sports and Entertainment Spectacular. The gala is annually attended by 1,500 guests, including many prominent figures from the world of sports, entertainment and media. Dennis Gilbert heads the foundation that has raised in excess of $1 million to support scouts in need. Scully grew up in New York, and became fascinated with the world of broadcasting at a young age. After serving two years in the United States Navy, Scully attended Fordham University where he became a student broadcaster, journalist as well as a baseball player. After working for CBS Radio, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcasting team with the legendary Red Barber. Just three years later, at 25 years old, he became the youngest man to broadcast a World Series game. Scully became the main broadcaster for the Dodgers and moved with the team to Los Angeles and has never left. Scully has been awarded numerous honors for his eloquent voice and genuine love of the game. In 1982, The National Baseball Hall of Fame awarded him the Ford Frick Award. The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association has named him National Sportscaster of the Year three times (1965, 1978, 1982) and he has been awarded the title of California Sportscaster of the Year 29 times. He was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. In that same year, the American Sportscasters Association named him the Top Sportscaster of All-Time. Vin Scully's voice has become an important part of Dodger Baseball and his famous game introduction, "It's time for Dodger Baseball", has become a fan favorite. Scully was named the Most Memorable personality in L.A. Dodgers history in 1976. The event has honored many legendary baseball Hall of Fame players, managers, scouts, coaches and executives, including Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken, Jr., Tony LaRussa, Robin Roberts, Tom Seaver, Joe Garagiola Sr., Robin Yount, Jim Fregosi Sr. as well as Goose Gossage, Whitey Herzog, Eric Gagne, Curt Schilling, Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch, the Boone Family, the Brett family, the Alou family, the Manny Mota family, the Lachemann family, Major League Baseball executive Pat Gillick, the Boeckmanns, the late Laura Ziskin, legendary baseball scouts George Genovese, Dave Garcia, Hank King, Gene Bennett, Mel Didier, Epy Guerrero, Moose Johnson, Lenny Yochum and the late Bob Zuk. Past attendees include: MLB Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig, Rod Carew, Tommy Lasorda, Arte Moreno, Jerry Reinsdorf, Lew Wolff, Mark Attanasio, Brady Anderson, Bret Saberhagen, Chase Utley, Darrell Evans, Don Newcombe, Barry Zito, Joe Borchard, Jerry West, Alyssa Milano, Don Johnson, Tom Arnold, Jane Seymour, James Keach, Michael McDonald, Donnie Most, Mary Hart and Kenny Loggins. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available to the public by calling (818) 224-3906.

********** Published: November 1, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 29