"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened."
That's right folks, the impossible has happened. Vin Scully is calling it a career.
After 67 years behind the mic, Scully has called more than half of the games the Dodgers have ever played in a 100+ year history.
On Friday, before the team took on the Colorado Rockies, 67 years of gratitude, generosity and dedication poured over onto the field as the city of Los Angeles said goodbye to the greatest broadcaster in the history of sports.
The pregame tribute to Scully started promptly at 6:30PM as the Dodgers aired a video tribute on their two big screens honoring Scully. The short film was narrated by the great Bob Costas and featured congratulatory words from Kobe Bryant, Kirk Gibson, Magic Johnson, Al Michaels, and more.
Immediately following, Dodgers radio announcer Charley Steiner introduced the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, the commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred, Dodgers chairman, Mark Walter, Sandy Koufax, Clayton Kershaw, Spanish Language broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, and Kevin Costner. Finally, Scully and his wife Sandi were introduced.
After a three-minute standing ovation for Scully, those aforementioned people who were present on the stage, delivered speeches for Scully.
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The greatest of all time. #VIN pic.twitter.com/3cJDaQkBp1 — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2016
Garcetti got the ceremony going by presenting his first key to the city during his tenure as Mayor to Scully.
Manfred presented Scully with a check for $50,000 from MLB in Vin Scully's name to the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
The Dodgers then played a clip of Scully's greatest call, as voted on by the fans, the walk-off home run by Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
The No. 1 call. #VinTop20 pic.twitter.com/HrsQJdEthJ — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2016
Steiner said it best about the call, "Nineteen words that will last as long as baseball has been played."
Dodgers chairman Mark Walter then stepped up to the microphone and announced that Scully would enter the Dodgers ring of honor located in the left field foul pole area next season.
Next was Koufax, who said he was more nervous than any time he played on the field, and told a story about Scully going to church to pray before every World Series game he ever called. Koufax mentioned that he didn't pray for the Dodgers to win, or for certain players to play well, but simply prayed for heroes, not goats on the field.
Kershaw then took the microphone on behalf of the Dodgers team and simply said, "Thank you."
"Thank you. After we're gone from this game, we'll always have your voice." ~ Clayton Kershaw — Vin Scully (@VinScullyTweet) September 24, 2016
Finally came Costner who brought everyone in attendance to tears, including the media in the press box and those watching at home.
Video: Kevin Costner on the legacy of Vin Scully https://t.co/LALAYtBvbs pic.twitter.com/B3jvqVYi7i — Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 24, 2016
Costner called Scully, "The Chosen One," and said that "The game will not lose its way, but it loses its perspective, a singular voice."
As the Field of Dreams soundtrack played in the background Costner continued with these gems:
"You tricked us into thinking you were a sports announcer. When really, you were a poet."
"When we were at a loss for words, you were the Norman Rockwell, painting us the clearest of pictures."
"Shame on us if you ever have to pay for another meal in public again."
"You're our George Bailey, and it has been a wonderful life."
Finally, Scully himself was introduced to the crowd who roared to life with excitement and gratitude.
"Oh, it's just me," said Scully smiling.
He started his speech by saying, "Welcome to my Thanksgiving."
"Welcome to my Thanksgiving." -#VIN pic.twitter.com/B6rwpXnfkl — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2016
He went on to thank everyone, from every player who ever put on a uniform, to the media and sportswriters, to his family and finally the fans.
"When you roar, when you cheer…for a brief moment, I am 8 years old again," he said.
He told the sold-out crowd that he's going to spend time with his wife, children and many grandchildren in retirement and said, "I am going to try and live."
�� #VIN pic.twitter.com/G8MbDwOkuc — MLB (@MLB) September 24, 2016
After Scully sat back down, out of the dugout came the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra led by John Williams, one of the most storied film composers ever. He played a rousing rendition of the national anthem, and then Scully stepped back to the mic to unearth his historic words that will live on forever, "It's time for Dodger baseball."
From one #legend to another - John Williams conducts an #EPIC rendition of the national anthem in LA https://t.co/TAuLSMimSg #vinscully — Anthony Wiktor (@creativeanthony) September 24, 2016
After another standing ovation from the crowd, Scully left the field down a blue carpet, surrounded by the current Dodger players. Now that's a way to go out.
#VIN. �� pic.twitter.com/VeiaDhZ5eI — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2016
Thank you, Vin.