When the Los Angeles Dodgers come to the Stadium for a three game series in September, it will be without Bronx native Vin Scully. 2016 is the legendary announcers last season at the microphone, and the Yankees invited him to attend with a little help from a legend of their own. Former Yankee and Dodger skipper Joe Torre personally extended the invitation when he was out in Cali for an event for his Safe at Home Foundation.
“While I was out there, which I do every time I’m in town, I go up and see Scully, chat with him. My daughter taught me Instagram, so I said during this trip, ‘Can I take a picture with you and post it?’ Scully said ‘I’d be happy to.’ That’s what we did,” says Torre. “I delivered the invitation personally. Jason Zillo asked me the best way to do it, as far as trying to get him, and I said, ‘I’ll go up and ask him.'”
However, the always humble Voice of the Dodgers declined.
“Scully was touched,” Torre adds, “and he certainly understood, but again, it goes back to he doesn’t want anybody to fuss over him.”
In an age of yearlong goodbye tours, grand gestures and gift giving, Scully takes his own path.
“I thought that was extremely thoughtful that the Yankees would love it if I came to the games. But I don’t want to fall into a trap, like I’m a rare Stradivarius and I’m taking it on tour,” says Scully. “Although I appreciate it, I’m really not inclined to take a bow.”
Yankees media relations chief Jason Zillo says the invitation remains open should the 88 year old change his mind. And, should he want to call the game? “Nothing is off the table,” says Zillo.
“He’s a special individual, God love him,” Torre says of Scully. “He’s very humble. Everybody wants him to go here, there, everywhere because of his last season. He just doesn’t want to be made a fuss over.”
