Home opener just not the same without Vin Scully
LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw being ill on opening day last week in San Diego and exiting after three innings was one thing.
But legendary Vin Scully, the Hall of Fame voice of the Dodgers since 1950, sitting out the home opener on Tuesday with a bad cold?
That was something else entirely.
"Everyone knew," Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier said. "It's not a fun day when Vin is not announcing opening day."
It was only the second opener ever missed by Scully, who is starting his 63rd season in the Dodgers' booth. The only other time he wasn't around was in 1977, when he had to miss an opener to be in Augusta, Ga., back when he was broadcasting The Masters.
"I just hope he gets well soon," outfielder Matt Kemp said. "1977? That's a long time, man. That's a long streak."
Someone teased Kershaw, that maybe he was the one who passed a bug to Scully.
"I hope I didn't give it to him," the poor kid said, looking stricken.
"He's one of the best parts of opening day for us and for the fans," Kershaw added.
All around the ballpark, from the Vin Scully Press Box to the concourses to the Dodgers clubhouse, things just weren't the same.
"Hopefully," Ethier said, "he'll have a speedy recovery and we'll see him back at the ballpark tomorrow. Or Thursday or Friday."
But legendary Vin Scully, the Hall of Fame voice of the Dodgers since 1950, sitting out the home opener on Tuesday with a bad cold?
That was something else entirely.
"Everyone knew," Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier said. "It's not a fun day when Vin is not announcing opening day."
It was only the second opener ever missed by Scully, who is starting his 63rd season in the Dodgers' booth. The only other time he wasn't around was in 1977, when he had to miss an opener to be in Augusta, Ga., back when he was broadcasting The Masters.
"I just hope he gets well soon," outfielder Matt Kemp said. "1977? That's a long time, man. That's a long streak."
Someone teased Kershaw, that maybe he was the one who passed a bug to Scully.
"I hope I didn't give it to him," the poor kid said, looking stricken.
"He's one of the best parts of opening day for us and for the fans," Kershaw added.
All around the ballpark, from the Vin Scully Press Box to the concourses to the Dodgers clubhouse, things just weren't the same.
"Hopefully," Ethier said, "he'll have a speedy recovery and we'll see him back at the ballpark tomorrow. Or Thursday or Friday."
