I respect Scully's longevity and popularity. Unmatched in American broadcasting and I seriously doubt anyone else will ever come close. He knew how to spin a yarn, describe a game, and get out of the way at a critical moment. Scully had a keen sense of when to let the crowd noise tell the story. Bravo! People loved him. Everything I read indicates Vin Scully was a professional, friendly, and gracious to fans and fellow broadcasters.
On the other hand...
Scully insisted on working alone, even though fans enjoy the banter between a quality play-by-play announcer and a color commentator. In a PBS interview, Scully said his solo act wasn't ego driven. He likened it to going to buy a car and having the salesman talk to someone else, with the customer just overhearing the conversation. Scully said he wanted to talk directly to the listener. OK, I get some of that, but I still like two voices. I remember all those wonderful summer nights with Whitey and Harry doing the Phillies games, and Phil and Bill on the Yankees broadcasts.
Vin Scully was on his way to becoming the top NFL broadcaster at CBS. The network realized it had a huge potential star in John Madden. The network tested Madden with Scully and with Pat Summerall. Scully kept Madden on a short leash. Summerall let Madden run, and was better at setting up the former coach. CBS went with Summerall, and they became one of the most successful broadcast teams in TV history. For my money, they were better than the Monday Night Football booth with Gifford, Meredith, and Cosell. Bottom line: Scully need to talk less and be more of a team player.
It seems to be a pattern. Let's take you back to the last year of NBC's baseball contract in 1989. Joe Garagiola stepped aside and Tom Seaver followed him in to the "Game of the Week" booth on Saturday afternoons. Seaver, at the same time, was also working Yankees' broadcasts on WPIX. Night and day. On WPIX, Seaver was informative, charming, funny, and engaging. Seaver, working with Scully at NBC, reminded me of a "speak only when you're spoken to" arrangement. It wasn't a good listen.
When all is said and done, there are far more positives than negatives. Vin Scully left his mark on baseball, and on America. I doubt there will ever be another like him.
