Major League Baseball (MLB) lost a giant on Tuesday, announcing the death of legendary Los Angeles Dodgers sports commentator Vince Cooley at the age of 94.
“He was the face of the Dodgers and more. He was their conscience, their poet laureate, capturing their beauty and documenting their glory, from Jackie Robinson to Sandy Coufax, Gibbs to Clayton Kershaw,” the Dodgers said in a Tuesday night announcement. “Vin Scully is the heart of the Dodgers and, in many ways, the heartbeat of Los Angeles.”
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Carsten praised Scully as an “icon” and “one of the greatest voices in all of sports.”
“He was a giant, not only as a broadcaster, but as a humanitarian. He loved people. He loved life. He loved baseball and the Dodgers. He loved his family. His voice will always be heard and Always etched in our minds. I know he is looking forward to joining the love of his life, Sandy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time. Will really miss Vin.”
– Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2022
Scully’s death comes more than a year after his longtime wife Sandra died from her battle with ALS.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 for his years of sports broadcasting.
Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief of Breitbart News, praised him for “bringing personality, class and respect for tradition to America’s pastime and to the broadcasting industry itself,” and recalled what Andrew Breitbart loved about him.
“Vin Scully is like family to the countless Los Angeles people he will never meet. Andrew Breitbart, the biggest Scully fan I know, once joked to me that he sometimes feels like he’s connected to the famous Dodgers The broadcaster is closer than his own father – that’s because Andrew loves his father,” Alex Marlowe said.
“Personally, I heard his voice growing up more than any adult who wasn’t my parents. I know our experiences were not uncommon. He brought to America’s pastime and the broadcasting industry itself individuality, class and respect for tradition,” Marlowe added. “Anyone who is the best in the world at what they do deserves recognition, but Vin has an extra on the hearts of Breitbart News Dodgers fans (and perhaps especially our CEO and President Larry Soloff) special status. We salute you, Vin Scully, for all the memories.”
