BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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Date of Hearing: August 2, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM, AND
INTERNET MEDIA
Kansen Chu, Chair
ACR 195
(Holden) - As Introduced June 14, 2016
SUBJECT: Vin Scully.
SUMMARY: This measure would recognize the legendary career of
Vincent Edward "Vin" Scully. Specifically, this resolution makes
the following findings and declarations:
1. Vincent Edward "Vin" Scully was born in the Bronx, New
York City on November 29, 1927. At an early age, Vin Scully
became fascinated with football broadcasts on the radio and
decided that he wanted to become a sports announcer.
2. After serving in the United States Navy for two years,
Vin Scully began his career as a student broadcaster and
journalist at Fordham University. While at Fordham, Scully
played outfield for two seasons on Fordham's baseball team
and called baseball, basketball, and football games for the
university's radio station.
3. Vin Scully was recruited in 1949 by Red Barber, the
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sports director of the CBS Radio Network, for the network's
college football coverage. In 1950, Scully joined Hall of
Fame announcers Red Barber and Connie Desmond as part of
the Brooklyn Dodgers' broadcast team, only a year after
graduating from Fordham. In 1953, Scully replaced Barber
for the 1953 World Series coverage. At the age of 25,
Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World
Series game, a record that stands to this day.
4. During the 1954 season, Vin Scully became the Brooklyn
Dodgers' principal announcer. Scully announced Dodger games
in Brooklyn until 1957. After the club moved to Los Angeles
for the 1958 season, Scully quickly became popular in
southern California.
5. In his illustrious career, Vin Scully has worked with
many accomplished broadcast partners, including Jerry
Doggett, Ross Porter, Don Drysdale, Sonny Jurgensen, Alex
Hawkins, George Allen, Jim Brown, John Madden, Hank Stram,
Pat Summerall, Curt Gowdy, Ken Venturi, Ben Wright, Brent
Musburger, and Sparky Anderson. Scully has worked for major
broadcast networks, including CBS, ABC, and NBC, covering
Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and
the PGA Tour.
6. In 1982, 32 years after he first became a Dodger
broadcaster, Vin Scully reached the pinnacle of his
immaculate career in baseball when he was inducted into the
Broadcaster's Wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame as
a Ford C. Frick Award recipient. In addition to this award,
Scully has received a Lifetime Achievement Sports Emmy
Award for sportscasting as well as multiple other lifetime
achievement awards and hall of fame inductions relative to
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broadcasting and sportscasting.
7. On September 5, 2014, Bud Selig presented Vin Scully
with the Major League Baseball Commissioner's Historic
Achievement Award, which was created to recognize
accomplishments and contributions of historical
significance to the game of baseball. Scully was the 14th
recipient and second nonplayer to receive the award, after
Rachel Robinson.
8. The California Sports Hall of Fame inducted Vin Scully
in 2008. On May 11, 2009, Scully was awarded the Ambassador
Award of Excellence by the Los Angeles Sports and
Entertainment Commission. Scully has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, has the press box at Dodger Stadium
named on his behalf, served as Grand Marshal for the 2014
Tournament of Roses Parade, and has had Elysian Park Avenue
renamed to Vin Scully Avenue in his honor.
9. Vin Scully hosted President Ronald Reagan during the
1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Scully has also
hosted the charity event "Scully and Wooden, For the Kids"
with legendary University of California, Los Angeles
basketball coach John Wooden, an event that benefited the
Pediatric Cancer Programs at Mattel Children's Hospital
UCLA and pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital
Los Angeles and City of Hope. Scully has participated in
multiple events with ThinkCure, the Dodgers' charity
organization that raises funds to promote collaborative
research to cure cancer.
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10. Vin Scully's descriptions of baseball games have
thrilled fans for years. Scully's 67 seasons with the
Dodgers is the longest time any broadcaster has been with a
single team in professional sports history. Scully is known
for his smooth and lyrical voice, vivid and descriptive
style, and ability to weave anecdotes between his
play-by-play of the ballgame. Scully's signature
introduction to Dodger games is beloved by Dodger fans
across California: "It's time for Dodger baseball!"
11. Vin Scully and his wife, Sandra, reside in Los Angeles.
12. The Legislature recognizes the legendary career of
Vincent Edward "Vin" Scully, the embodiment of the artistic
spirit of California and further resolves that the Chief
Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to
the author for appropriate distribution.
EXISTING LAW: There is no existing law.
FISCAL EFFECT: None. The Legislative Council has keyed this
Resolution non-fiscal.
COMMENTS:
According to the author, "This resolution honors Vin Scully, a
living legend, as he finishes his 67 year broadcast career. Mr.
Scully has entertained generations of Los Angeles Dodger fans
and is synonymous with baseball in Los Angeles. ACR 195
recognizes Mr. Scully's many career accomplishments and thanks
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him for his 67 years behind the microphone and contributions to
the lives of millions of California baseball fans."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
There is no support on file.
Opposition
There is no opposition on file.
Analysis Prepared by:Dana Mitchell/Jenesie Habeil / A.,E.,S.,T.,
& I.M. / (916) 319-3450
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