MLB teams
Doug Padilla, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Vin Scully talks schedule for last year behind microphone

MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants

LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has announced his last call, at least on television, saying he intends to finish his legendary career with the Dodgers' season-ending three-game series at San Francisco.

Scully, who is entering his 67th season behind the microphone for the Dodgers, has said this would likely be his final season, but he sounded certain about that this weekend at the team's annual FanFest.

Scully's participation in road games has been limited in recent years, but the trip to the Bay Area is not the only one on his itinerary. He said he intends to call games at San Diego and the two-game May series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. He does not intend to work outside California.

"[I was] a kid who was born and raised in the streets of New York, who grew up literally and figuratively in the Polo Grounds and was a rabid Giants fan. I confess that. It's good for the soul," Scully said. "I think I would love to finish in a game between the Dodgers and Giants. God willing it will work out. We'll see, but the best-laid plans of mice and men usually go up in smoke."

The Dodgers' final three games are scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at AT&T Park.

Scully said he would be willing to call games on the radio if the Dodgers advance to the postseason, though reluctantly.

"When you get to the playoffs, you are allowed to do radio. We can't do any television, and I always feel funny when we do have the playoffs because Rick [Monday] and Charley [Steiner] do such a great job all year on radio, and I feel that it's unfair that I go in and do six of the nine innings," Scully said. "But maybe, because it is the last year, I would go in and do the playoffs. But I don't think I would do the World Series. I think folks would say thank you and goodbye."

Scully has always been modest, and that was evident with the recent decision of the Los Angeles City Council to rename a street after the broadcaster. Vin Scully Avenue will replace Elysian Park Avenue, leading commuters directly into Dodger Stadium from Sunset Boulevard.

"I [was] reluctant to have a thing like that done, but for the people that come here often, it would be like a hello as well as a goodbye," Scully said. "And I guarantee you, I'm a realistic man, that it will be only a few years that people will be driving in, looking up and say, 'Who was Vin Scully?' I'm not saying that for anybody to react, but it will happen, sure."

Scully said he hopes another name will be put into the spotlight for future generations to remember.

"I do hope and pray that someday the name O'Malley will be involved," Scully said. "[Former Dodgers owner] Walter O'Malley took a big gamble. He took his team out of Brooklyn. He brought his team here to play in a track stadium [the Los Angeles Coliseum] that was made fun of all throughout baseball.

"Then, through his efforts, he built Dodger Stadium, brought the team here, gave a World Series win in '59 and again in '63. For me, I didn't have anything to do. I just came here and blabbered away. But some day I pray that his name will be attached somewhere on this campus."

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