Giants announcer Jon Miller declared Vin Scully’s call of Henry Aaron’s 715th homer, “…the greatest call in the history of baseball broadcasting”.
Aaron came to bat against Dodger lefty Al Downing in the 4th inning on April 8, 1974. Tied with Babe Ruth for the most home runs in baseball history, Aaron swung at the second pitch.
Vin described the action.
“Fastball there’s a high drive into deep left-center field. Buckner goes back…to the fence…it is gone!” Vin then stayed silent for 36 seconds as Aaron circled the bases.
Scully’s Dodger broadcasting colleague Ross Porter described the scene. “…this was a typical Vin Scully moment. When he called the home run and the ball had cleared the fence, he got up, left his desk, left the microphone, walked to the back of the booth in Atlanta, poured himself a glass of water, sat down, and continued the play-by-play.”
After taking a sip of the water, Vin returned to his chair and summed up the moment’s historical impact.
“What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol and it is great moment for all of us and particularly for Henry Aaron.”
Shown here is the most prestigious is the William J. Slocum Award awarded to Vin in 1995. Inaugurated in 1930, the honor was bestowed on no less than 50 members of the Hall of Fame. Recipients in the 1930s include the likes of Babe Ruth, John McGraw, Walter Johnson and Connie Mack.
Growing up in Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Scully was a Giants fan in his youth. His favorite player was Mel Ott who received the Award in 1942.
Legendary General Manager Branch Rickey received it for his work in developing the farm system with the Cardinals. Three years after he was so honored, Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to contract with the Dodgers to break the color barrier.
Some of the best players of the next three decades went to New York to receive the prestigious Slocum Award. The list includes Stan Musial (1962), Yogi Berra (1967), Al Kaline (1973), Willie Mays (1974), Carl Yastrzemski (1980), Johnny Bench (1984), Pete Rose (1986), Reggie Jackson (1988), Tom Seaver (1989), George Brett and Nolan Ryan (both in 1994).
That the greatest announcer in the history of sports received it is no surprise.
I don’t believe Aaron was underrated so much as he was or is under appreciated. The other HOF player who also comes to mind is Frank Robinson.
Surpassed Mays in virtually every offensive category. Should be called greatest living player when introduced.
He was a great one to be sure!
He was a consistent top performer and stayed injury free as well. Go Braves.
I read that Sandy Koufax, when asked about the best way to pitch to Hank Aaron, replied, “With nobody on base.”