T.J. Simers of the LA Times writes that the Dodgers are asking their season ticket holders to fill out a seemingly pointless survey, in which they grade one of the greatest announcers of all-time Vin Scully:
On a scale of 1 to 5, “They wanted my opinion of Vin Scully in the following eight areas: 1. Knowledge of baseball; 2. Knowledge of Dodgers organization; 3. Objectivity; 4. Accuracy of calls; 5. Storytelling ability; 6. Focus on the game; 7. Style; 8. Overall performance.
“This is like polling Catholics about Mother Teresa’s work,” he said. “This is Vin’s 62nd year behind the microphone in a broadcasting career that no one will ever emulate. Is this portion of the survey really necessary?
When Simers emailed the Dodgers about Scully’s job security, a team spokeman predictably responded Scully’s job “is his as long as he wants it.” Frankly, I’m surprised Scully hasn’t been given the keys to that entire organization, yet.
You know the whole “What if Mike Vick was ___ ?” bit that went on Thursday? Well, I feel like we could definitely have some fun with this one, too: “Asking the fans to rate Vin Scully is like polling ____ about _____.” (Feel free to leave your best in the comments).
Interestingly enough, AA’s inbox received an email at the end of July from non-season ticket holder John asking us to add VIN SCULLY to the list of AWFUL ANNOUNCERS. My first thought was to simply respond “no,” but the email was well-written, thoughtful, and (sigh) his opinion, so instead I decided to respond respectfully.
While we received permission to post it as a dissenting opinion on a subject I always thought had unanimous benediction, we wound up not posting it because the JMMT was drawing to a close and it just felt too… random.
But I guess now – while Dodgers season ticket holders mull over how they’ll evaluate Scully – is as good as any to finally present the other side that actually exists:
AA Team:
Good day. Love your website; check it every day for the latest. Keep up the great work.
Regarding Vin Scully, the longtime voice of the Dodgers: first I must say that he is truly a hall of fame announcer and should be commended for his 60 years of baseball announcing. However, at this point in time I think it’s time for Vin to call it a day.
As a diehard SF Giants fan, I eagerly tuned in to Monday night’s MLB Network Extra Innings telecast of the Giants/Dodgers game. If only one feed is available, you don’t know until the game comes on the air which team’s feed you will receive. Instead of the excellent team of Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, I was forced to listen to nine innings of Vin Scully. The entire game, one announcer, no analyst.
Vin no longer announces the game, he tells stories. He thinks his melodic, dulcet tones and old school vocabulary add to the viewing of the game. Nothing could be further from the truth. I tune in to watch a baseball game. I want to hear current information and statistics that will help me learn more about the teams and perhaps anticipate specific developments within the game.
I do not want to hear a five-minute dissertation on what happened in a minor league game when an ambidextrous pitcher faced a switch-hitter. I don’t want Vin to read player’s biographies from the media guide. I don’t care who first wore batting gloves. Tell me about this team, these players and what they are doing this season, this month, this week.
Vin is 86 years old and when announcing night games he begins to “sundown”, mispronouncing player’s names, repeating information he has delivered earlier in the game, and detracting from the presentation.
I found myself muting the sound and watching the game in silence. Not so bad, but a good analyst will give you information and observations that add to your enjoyment of the game and enhance your understanding of it. Krukow provides that on nearly every Giants telecast I receive and it is a real treat.
I am a mid-fifties boomer and a lifelong baseball fan, so this is not a youth-driven rant against an old guy. You guys provide a service and an outlet for big-time sports fans who despise poor announcing. That’s me in a nutshell.
Thanks for listening.
John
[LA Times]
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