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Vin Scully: 50,000 fans scream ‘it’s time for Dodger baseball’ in tribute to legendary broadcaster

The LA Dodgers paid tribute to legendary broadcaster Vin Scully Friday night at Dodgers Stadium in the first home game since his death.

Scully was the longest-serving single-team broadcaster in sports history, spending 67 years in the stand as the voice of the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. He died Tuesday at the age of 94.

The ceremony began with the Dodgers and Padres lined up on the baseline before a moment of silence was observed for Scully.

Viewers were directed to turn to the Dodger Vision where a music video, narrated by Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner, commemorating Scully’s life and career was shown.

The clip ended with photos of Scully performing throughout his life as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The camera turned to the fans, some with tears in their eyes.

A bouquet of white and blue flowers hung next to a plaque bearing her name on the bleachers, while the same icon – her name above a microphone – was painted on the mound.

Dodgers players then gathered on the field as head coach Dave Roberts took the microphone to praise Scully’s character, integrity and class before leading Dodger Stadium through his five most iconic – “It’s time for Dodger baseball”.

He said: “Vin hated the spotlight on him, well it’s going to be very uncomfortable for him because right now right now he really deserves it.”

“Vin was a man of character, integrity, class, a true gentleman. He wasn’t just a Dodger, he loved the game of baseball that we all love and care about.

“Six years ago we saw an in-depth video of Charlie winning the division for the Dodgers. It was Vin’s last game at Dodger Stadium, so it couldn’t be more fitting.

“And that night, that day, Vin had hung a banner under her stand that said, ‘I’m going to miss you, Vin.’ So tonight, Joe (Davis) and Orel (Hershiser) will give us all the immense pleasure of unveiling a new banner.’

“And that night, that day, Vin had hung a banner under her booth that said, ‘I’m going to miss you, Vin.’ So tonight, Joe (Davis) and Orel (Hershiser) will give us all the immense pleasure of unveiling a new banner.’

The couple lifted the blue curtain to reveal a banner reading the words “Wine – We will miss you” on a white banner under their former stand.

‘Vin, you will be missed. We love you. We’ll be thinking of you every day, every game we attend and every fan that shows up at Dodger Stadium, there’s a reason you’ll be remembered. You will always be tied to these five words – It’s time for Dodger baseball.

“So now 50,000 Dodgers fans are on their feet, three in number, shouting as loud as they can so Mr. Vin can hear us from blue skies.”

Scully worked as the Dodgers’ play-by-play broadcaster from 1950 until 2016, when he retired.

He was hired to broadcast Brooklyn Dodgers games when he was 22, and at 25 he became the youngest person to ever broadcast a World Series game.

The Dodgers will also honor Vin Scully with a commemorative patch on their uniforms for the remainder of the season.

The black patch has a blue border with a microphone in the center and the word “Wine” inscribed above it in white text.

On Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, a tribute was paid to Scully on the big screen at Oracle Park. The Dodgers also held a minute’s silence in his honor.

At Dodger Stadium, where Vin Scully Avenue is located, flowers, candles and handwritten messages were laid by fans who took time to remember the man their team has described as “in many respects, the heartbeat of all of Los Angeles.”

Along Hollywood Boulevard, tourists and locals alike stopped by Scully’s flower-studded star on the Walk of Fame.

Los Angeles City Hall was lit in blue on Wednesday night. ESPN2 also re-aired Game 1 of the 1988 World Series featuring Scully’s memorable call on Kirk Gibson’s home run that led the Dodgers to a victory over the Oakland Athletics.

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