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Perfect Eloquence: An Appreciation of Vin Scully
A tribute to Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully in the words of writers, broadcasters, and others who knew him and celebrate him not just for his sixty-seven years calling games for the Dodgers but for his values, actions, and contributions away from the game.
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
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July 15, 2024
Growing up I had two dream jobs. One was marine biologist, which remains a dream because I am terrified of needles and the thought of giving animals shots squashed that idea. While swimming with whales and dolphins remains on my bucket list, suffice it to say I have not enjoyed an illustrious career studying these creatures. The other dream job that I still have visions of is sports broadcaster. In the 1980s, there were few opportunities for women in sports related jobs with Title IX being less than ten years old. The sports world had just gotten used to the idea of women as athletes, but as reporters, broadcasters, etc, no way. In the 1980s, the sports broadcasting profession was at a crossroads. I had the pleasure to listen to Harry Caray every day. Jack Buck and Ernie Harwell still called games on the airwaves. In high school, Doris Kearns Goodwin narrated segments of Ken Burns’ opus baseball. She is a premiere historian who also has been a baseball fan for her entire life, and her presence balanced out the men relating their love of baseball. I pivoted in wanting to be a historian as an adult and in a way I am, reading historical tomes and studying the past while I read. I still dreamed of working in baseball in some capacity. Goodwin learned her love of baseball from the best baseball storyteller of them all growing up listening to Dodgers games on the radio. Vin Scully began his career in 1950 and it would span sixty seven years and countless generations of fans from all walks of life, some of them listening to him and harbored dreams of becoming broadcasters. Following Scully’s death in 2022 at the ripe old age of ninety five, Tom Hoffarth decided to compile a book where a cross section of people would express their love for Scully the man and the broadcaster. The result is this project that was a labor of love for all parties involved.
Born on November 29, 1927 Vincent Edward Scully first learned his love of baseball by attending games at the Polo Grounds. If he collected bottles and turned them in for five cents a piece, he could collect enough to attend games for free at all of fifty cents for the price of admission. He sat in right field to watch Mel Ott because the slugger was a lefty as Scully was. Scully did not have his career set on one profession or another, although he came of age when teachers asked children to write about what they desired to be when they grew up. Sports broadcaster was not a profession most children dreamed of. Following an education at Fordham Prep and one year in the navy to serve his country at the end of World War II, Scully enrolled at Fordham University. He took courses in writing and the one course that shaped his career choice was titled eloquentia perfecta- perfect eloquence. At Fordham, he learned how to shape phrases and add words to color the dullness of the English language. He became the editor of the Fordham Times and played baseball and football for the school because that is what noble young men did at the time. Scully caught a break after graduation when the esteemed Red Barber assigned him to broadcast a college football game. He did a commendable job and returned the following week to call the Army-Navy game. By age twenty three, Scully joined Barber on Dodger radio broadcasts, establishing a name for himself in the broadcasting world. Little did anyone know at the time that this career that began in 1950 would span sixty seven years and surpass all of his peers; yet as a youngster, he already stood out in his profession.
If Hoffarth set out to memorialize Scully as a broadcaster, one could find his signature calls on both YouTube and MLB archives. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 when his career was only at its halfway point. This collection of essays is a testament of Scully as a man, a hall of fame person. Scully was a man of faith. A devout Catholic, he prayed mass weekly and was instrumental in setting up a weekly mass for players and team personnel at Dodger Stadium, always delivering the opening reading. His faith and star so strong, he was asked to record the rosary for a cd project, and this cd became a best seller. Scully would greet all people by name. He would call the sick and leave profound messages offering to pray on their behalf. He was notorious for his thank you note writing, from things as mundane as a plate of cookies to people honoring him in one capacity or another. One lady here covered the Dodgers in the 1980s when women were not yet accepted in sports journalism. She had been Scully’s Sunday school student, and he offered her more encouragement to stay on her job than her boss at the newspaper did. Across the board, people say that Scully was like a favorite uncle who they wish could come to their home on Thanksgiving. His personality was not an act; he was a man who had compassion for all people. It just so happened that he used skills that would have made him a good priest, and many in the religious community said that he would have been an excellent one, to tell stories. He never wrote a book or recorded his memories, but he told the story of baseball nightly. He also studied history and told life lessons, history, poetry, and countless anecdotes to his viewers. Even if one was not a fan of baseball, after listening to Scully, one could not help but hold an appreciation for both him and the game.
While Hoffarth’s goal was to paint a picture of Scully as a person, there are countless baseball anecdotes here as well. He came west with the Dodgers to Los Angeles and introduced Angelenos to the game of baseball. At the time he could list members of the 1955 world champion Brooklyn Dodgers as his friends and would always have a story to tell about all of them. His favorite was Koufax- any public speaking engagement, he would have a Koufax story even when Koufax himself chose to stay out of the limelight. Vin Scully would craft the story of an inning, explaining every pitch and telling the story of the players and countless background information in between. He is best known for Koufax’s perfect game on September 9, 1965, which is available on YouTube, and Kirk Gibson’s improbable home run in the 1988 World Series. He could have retired after that moment and enjoyed a second career in some literary capacity or within the Catholic Church, yet he continued to broadcast for twenty eight more years, touching millions. Some might have heard him for the first time and desired to be a broadcaster when they grew up. Other astute fans would listen and note that they felt smarter after hearing his references to history and poetry. After 9-11, if someone heard Scully’s description of the pregame atmosphere, one would think that they were listening to the President address the nation. His rhetorical skills, his awareness of the moment, and his storytelling skills were second to none. It is little wonder to me that he would reach millions and touch them in one capacity or a other; thankfully Scully’s calling was to be a baseball broadcaster, and, as such, he had a hand in being on hand for countless signature moments of the 20th century.
Today Dodger games still begin with Scully proclaiming “good evening everyone. It is time for Dodger baseball.” The street coming into the ballpark is appropriately named Vin Scully Way. Neither of these do complete justice to a man whose career spanned generations of Americans. Growing up in the Midwest I listened to Cubs broadcasts. While Harry Caray was goofy, he did not paint a canvas the way Scully did. Thanks to MLB.tv, as an adult I could tune into Dodger broadcasts on nights when sleep could not come easy. Yes, there are other west coast teams and more compelling games, but none of those broadcasters could tell a story the way Scully could. His storytelling would put me in a positive mindset to sleep, and for the last eight years, I have struggled to find a west coast broadcaster who merits in comparison. That is because there are no broadcasters who compare to Scully, not now, not before. The words I write do not do as much justice as this beautiful compilation honoring him. Hoffarth notes that one day the entire broadcasting wing of baseball’s hall of fame should be renamed the Vin Scully Wing, as well as the award honoring each year’s broadcasting inductee. Hoffarth had to cap this book at nine innings although myriads more had Scully stories to tell. Hoffarth is sure that increased contributions would have only amplified the quality of this collection. I accede. Vin Scully was an American treasure, and this book only begins to do justice to his place in history.
4.5 stars
Born on November 29, 1927 Vincent Edward Scully first learned his love of baseball by attending games at the Polo Grounds. If he collected bottles and turned them in for five cents a piece, he could collect enough to attend games for free at all of fifty cents for the price of admission. He sat in right field to watch Mel Ott because the slugger was a lefty as Scully was. Scully did not have his career set on one profession or another, although he came of age when teachers asked children to write about what they desired to be when they grew up. Sports broadcaster was not a profession most children dreamed of. Following an education at Fordham Prep and one year in the navy to serve his country at the end of World War II, Scully enrolled at Fordham University. He took courses in writing and the one course that shaped his career choice was titled eloquentia perfecta- perfect eloquence. At Fordham, he learned how to shape phrases and add words to color the dullness of the English language. He became the editor of the Fordham Times and played baseball and football for the school because that is what noble young men did at the time. Scully caught a break after graduation when the esteemed Red Barber assigned him to broadcast a college football game. He did a commendable job and returned the following week to call the Army-Navy game. By age twenty three, Scully joined Barber on Dodger radio broadcasts, establishing a name for himself in the broadcasting world. Little did anyone know at the time that this career that began in 1950 would span sixty seven years and surpass all of his peers; yet as a youngster, he already stood out in his profession.
If Hoffarth set out to memorialize Scully as a broadcaster, one could find his signature calls on both YouTube and MLB archives. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 when his career was only at its halfway point. This collection of essays is a testament of Scully as a man, a hall of fame person. Scully was a man of faith. A devout Catholic, he prayed mass weekly and was instrumental in setting up a weekly mass for players and team personnel at Dodger Stadium, always delivering the opening reading. His faith and star so strong, he was asked to record the rosary for a cd project, and this cd became a best seller. Scully would greet all people by name. He would call the sick and leave profound messages offering to pray on their behalf. He was notorious for his thank you note writing, from things as mundane as a plate of cookies to people honoring him in one capacity or another. One lady here covered the Dodgers in the 1980s when women were not yet accepted in sports journalism. She had been Scully’s Sunday school student, and he offered her more encouragement to stay on her job than her boss at the newspaper did. Across the board, people say that Scully was like a favorite uncle who they wish could come to their home on Thanksgiving. His personality was not an act; he was a man who had compassion for all people. It just so happened that he used skills that would have made him a good priest, and many in the religious community said that he would have been an excellent one, to tell stories. He never wrote a book or recorded his memories, but he told the story of baseball nightly. He also studied history and told life lessons, history, poetry, and countless anecdotes to his viewers. Even if one was not a fan of baseball, after listening to Scully, one could not help but hold an appreciation for both him and the game.
While Hoffarth’s goal was to paint a picture of Scully as a person, there are countless baseball anecdotes here as well. He came west with the Dodgers to Los Angeles and introduced Angelenos to the game of baseball. At the time he could list members of the 1955 world champion Brooklyn Dodgers as his friends and would always have a story to tell about all of them. His favorite was Koufax- any public speaking engagement, he would have a Koufax story even when Koufax himself chose to stay out of the limelight. Vin Scully would craft the story of an inning, explaining every pitch and telling the story of the players and countless background information in between. He is best known for Koufax’s perfect game on September 9, 1965, which is available on YouTube, and Kirk Gibson’s improbable home run in the 1988 World Series. He could have retired after that moment and enjoyed a second career in some literary capacity or within the Catholic Church, yet he continued to broadcast for twenty eight more years, touching millions. Some might have heard him for the first time and desired to be a broadcaster when they grew up. Other astute fans would listen and note that they felt smarter after hearing his references to history and poetry. After 9-11, if someone heard Scully’s description of the pregame atmosphere, one would think that they were listening to the President address the nation. His rhetorical skills, his awareness of the moment, and his storytelling skills were second to none. It is little wonder to me that he would reach millions and touch them in one capacity or a other; thankfully Scully’s calling was to be a baseball broadcaster, and, as such, he had a hand in being on hand for countless signature moments of the 20th century.
Today Dodger games still begin with Scully proclaiming “good evening everyone. It is time for Dodger baseball.” The street coming into the ballpark is appropriately named Vin Scully Way. Neither of these do complete justice to a man whose career spanned generations of Americans. Growing up in the Midwest I listened to Cubs broadcasts. While Harry Caray was goofy, he did not paint a canvas the way Scully did. Thanks to MLB.tv, as an adult I could tune into Dodger broadcasts on nights when sleep could not come easy. Yes, there are other west coast teams and more compelling games, but none of those broadcasters could tell a story the way Scully could. His storytelling would put me in a positive mindset to sleep, and for the last eight years, I have struggled to find a west coast broadcaster who merits in comparison. That is because there are no broadcasters who compare to Scully, not now, not before. The words I write do not do as much justice as this beautiful compilation honoring him. Hoffarth notes that one day the entire broadcasting wing of baseball’s hall of fame should be renamed the Vin Scully Wing, as well as the award honoring each year’s broadcasting inductee. Hoffarth had to cap this book at nine innings although myriads more had Scully stories to tell. Hoffarth is sure that increased contributions would have only amplified the quality of this collection. I accede. Vin Scully was an American treasure, and this book only begins to do justice to his place in history.
4.5 stars
April 2, 2024
It’s difficult to add any more praise and adulation for Vin Scully that hasn’t already been said, but this book by Tom Hoffrarth does just that. Scully was the broadcasting voice of the Dodger, covering them both in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, for 67 years. Imagine doing a job you love, with millions listening to you, for that long. Whether you are a big fan of the Dodgers or know practically nothing about baseball, the chance to meet or talk to Scully was a memorable moment for those lucky enough to do so. This book is a collection of stories from people of all walks of like who were able to do so.
That is why this book is not only such a joy to read but is also one that must be given credit for accomplishing a difficult task – namely to share insights into the man that were not already shared either during his last year of broadcasting in 2016 or after his death in 2022. By interviewing various people – from fans to baseball personnel to other celebrities – Hoffrath was able to compile a great selection of stories on many different aspects of Scully’s life. To a person, everyone that Hoffrath gathered information from said the same thing about Scully – that he treated them with kindness, listened to them and expressed sincere pleasure in meeting them.
This went well beyond his broadcasting excellence. Many of the stories were about Scully’s faith and how that shaped his personality and how he interacted with people. While the book stayed away from politics unless the person sharing the Scully story mentioned it, his leanings in that topic were shown. But even then, if the person had a different viewpoint than Scully, it didn’t affect the kindness and grace they showed in their feelings on him. That was very refreshing given today’s landscape.
Of course, there is baseball and Scully broadcasting moments in the book as well, but they were not the biggest takeaways from the book. Whether your favorite call of Scully’s was his description of the perfect game by Sandy Koufax in 1965, his description of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run (my personal favorite) or the miraculous home run by Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series, fans of the sport and of Scully will not only recall those great moments, but they may also learn more about the man himself. Hoffrath deserves a lot of praise for being able to not only collect all these wonderful stories, but also weave them together in a great book that does justice to one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
That is why this book is not only such a joy to read but is also one that must be given credit for accomplishing a difficult task – namely to share insights into the man that were not already shared either during his last year of broadcasting in 2016 or after his death in 2022. By interviewing various people – from fans to baseball personnel to other celebrities – Hoffrath was able to compile a great selection of stories on many different aspects of Scully’s life. To a person, everyone that Hoffrath gathered information from said the same thing about Scully – that he treated them with kindness, listened to them and expressed sincere pleasure in meeting them.
This went well beyond his broadcasting excellence. Many of the stories were about Scully’s faith and how that shaped his personality and how he interacted with people. While the book stayed away from politics unless the person sharing the Scully story mentioned it, his leanings in that topic were shown. But even then, if the person had a different viewpoint than Scully, it didn’t affect the kindness and grace they showed in their feelings on him. That was very refreshing given today’s landscape.
Of course, there is baseball and Scully broadcasting moments in the book as well, but they were not the biggest takeaways from the book. Whether your favorite call of Scully’s was his description of the perfect game by Sandy Koufax in 1965, his description of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run (my personal favorite) or the miraculous home run by Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series, fans of the sport and of Scully will not only recall those great moments, but they may also learn more about the man himself. Hoffrath deserves a lot of praise for being able to not only collect all these wonderful stories, but also weave them together in a great book that does justice to one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
March 18, 2024
An incredibly researched collection of essays from a broad cross section of devoted fans. Moving and inspiring in all the best ways.
Vin Scully was more than a legend and an icon. He was an American hero. To faithfully serve 67 years in any job is an astounding accomplishment. To do it with grace and humility while being the best in your profession? Simply amazing.
Vin Scully was more than a legend and an icon. He was an American hero. To faithfully serve 67 years in any job is an astounding accomplishment. To do it with grace and humility while being the best in your profession? Simply amazing.
May 28, 2024
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, broadcaster Vin Scully was one of the most important figures not just to baseball but to the medium as a whole. In terms of longevity, mastery of his craft, and personal integrity, there will never be another Vin. Here, Tom Hoffarth compiles a number of brief tributes to Scully following his death in August 2022.
Probably the most amazing aspect of Perfect Eloquence is the wide swath of individuals that Vin touched emotionally over his broadcasting career. These aren’t just “baseball insiders” presenting tributes, but rather people from all walks of life. Each section of the book focuses on a particular theme (broadcasting style, religion, general composure, baseball stories, off-the-field life, etc.) but all the tributes tend to gravitate towards the same theme: Vin’s impeccable character and his ability to be a constant baseball companion to generations of fans through his anecdotes and historical tales.
Truth be told, the harmoniousness of the snippets here are actually why I settled on a 4/5 rating (would be 4.5 if able). By about halfway through Perfect Eloquence, you’ll begin to realize that each individual here is saying basically the same thing in a slightly different way: struggling to put into words just what exactly Vin meant to them. While not a fault of anyone and if anything a true testament to Vin’s character, it does make for a reading experience that is pretty much the same from beginning to end—the only difference being the figures paying the tributes.
Overall, though, Vin Scully deserves a book like this after his passing, if only to allow the figures within it to cathartically memorialize him for a wider audience who likely had similar experiences when it was “time for Dodger baseball”.
Probably the most amazing aspect of Perfect Eloquence is the wide swath of individuals that Vin touched emotionally over his broadcasting career. These aren’t just “baseball insiders” presenting tributes, but rather people from all walks of life. Each section of the book focuses on a particular theme (broadcasting style, religion, general composure, baseball stories, off-the-field life, etc.) but all the tributes tend to gravitate towards the same theme: Vin’s impeccable character and his ability to be a constant baseball companion to generations of fans through his anecdotes and historical tales.
Truth be told, the harmoniousness of the snippets here are actually why I settled on a 4/5 rating (would be 4.5 if able). By about halfway through Perfect Eloquence, you’ll begin to realize that each individual here is saying basically the same thing in a slightly different way: struggling to put into words just what exactly Vin meant to them. While not a fault of anyone and if anything a true testament to Vin’s character, it does make for a reading experience that is pretty much the same from beginning to end—the only difference being the figures paying the tributes.
Overall, though, Vin Scully deserves a book like this after his passing, if only to allow the figures within it to cathartically memorialize him for a wider audience who likely had similar experiences when it was “time for Dodger baseball”.
May 8, 2024
There are people in your life that when you hear their name you can automatically hear their voice. Whether they are a politician, radio DJ, actor or in this a case a sports broadcaster. This is the case with Vin Scully who announced many sports but is synonymous with the Dodgers a Major league baseball team. He started with the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn in 1950 and continued to be their announcer for 67 years that included 20 no hitters and three perfect games. I recall listening to many of his broadcast on tv and radio but the one that really stood out for me was his call of Kirk Gibsons world series walk off home run and yes i went back and watch the whole nine-minute video just to relive it. It is impressive to realize that with today's two or three announcers to a game Vin did his on is own. Besides understanding how well informed he was to keep a game flowing. Amazing to read how so many people he was a mentor to or advised or just when out his way to make them feel like they were the center of attention. This a different style of book were the author relays the stories of so many people from all walks of life and their encounters with maybe arguably the greatest sports announcer of all time. This is the type of book were you can read it all the way through or a few stories at a time but either way you will not be disappointed.
January 14, 2025
What a tribute to the best broadcaster ever in baseball. I found myself nodding along to a lot of the sentiments and thoughts of the contributors of this book. Not much more can be added. Vin was simply the best!
December 8, 2025
A great series of essays about Vin Scully. Full review later.
October 28, 2024
WOW!
A phenomenal book.
This is my favorite book of the year from the structure of it.
I found myself smiling often from the people talking about the late great Vin Scully.
It’s composed of essay with colleagues, friends, and fans with lasting words about the voice of the Dodgers.
Though he was great at his job, people spoke more about him as a person and his presence on a day to day basis for those people he encountered.
He was a man of faith and family. He made sure those around him knew this about him in every single interaction. He made people feel as if they knew him as well. Always shining the light away from himself and onto them.
There were funny stories, touching moments, and observations from afar, but it encapsulates the great man that Vin Scully was.
His preparation was unmatched but he had an easiness about his approach to the job and was masterful with words and sentence structure.
He was the voice of the Dodgers and might possibly be the voice of baseball.
PURE EXCELLENCE.
A phenomenal book.
This is my favorite book of the year from the structure of it.
I found myself smiling often from the people talking about the late great Vin Scully.
It’s composed of essay with colleagues, friends, and fans with lasting words about the voice of the Dodgers.
Though he was great at his job, people spoke more about him as a person and his presence on a day to day basis for those people he encountered.
He was a man of faith and family. He made sure those around him knew this about him in every single interaction. He made people feel as if they knew him as well. Always shining the light away from himself and onto them.
There were funny stories, touching moments, and observations from afar, but it encapsulates the great man that Vin Scully was.
His preparation was unmatched but he had an easiness about his approach to the job and was masterful with words and sentence structure.
He was the voice of the Dodgers and might possibly be the voice of baseball.
PURE EXCELLENCE.
April 8, 2024
First off, thank you University of Nebraska Press/NetGalley for providing this book for me to review.
A few months ago, I was on a YouTube binge of classic MLB moments when I saw one that stuck out. It was Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, and I remember very clearly how the camera suddenly panned to a man with a limp. That man was Kirk Gibson, someone who had helped my Tigers win the World Series in 1984. During this famous call, he had been swaddled with leg injuries, but that didn't stop hitting him from a walk-off home run against Dennis Eckersley.
However, the thing I remember the most from that was the call by the announcer who was Vin Scully. I don't know why either, maybe it was how he used vivid language or how he let the crowd speak. However, that stuck with me permanently, and I decided to read this book because of it.
Now with the book. This was a beautiful book, and it perfectly encapsulated his life and how he affected people's lives perfectly. It covered everyone from professors to other announcers. I found it interesting how many generations were featured in this novel and spoke of him; Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all spoke of him fondly. I found the unique style of chapters in this book interesting, and I felt that the author hit the perfect length in chapters and interviews to keep the reader hooked.
Even if you never heard of Vin Scully, I would recommend this book to anyone, as he was someone whose faith, kindness, and humility touched everyone. The interviews beautifully touched on every aspect of his personality, and if anything, I could feel the spirit of Vin coming to me from the book.
A few months ago, I was on a YouTube binge of classic MLB moments when I saw one that stuck out. It was Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, and I remember very clearly how the camera suddenly panned to a man with a limp. That man was Kirk Gibson, someone who had helped my Tigers win the World Series in 1984. During this famous call, he had been swaddled with leg injuries, but that didn't stop hitting him from a walk-off home run against Dennis Eckersley.
However, the thing I remember the most from that was the call by the announcer who was Vin Scully. I don't know why either, maybe it was how he used vivid language or how he let the crowd speak. However, that stuck with me permanently, and I decided to read this book because of it.
Now with the book. This was a beautiful book, and it perfectly encapsulated his life and how he affected people's lives perfectly. It covered everyone from professors to other announcers. I found it interesting how many generations were featured in this novel and spoke of him; Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all spoke of him fondly. I found the unique style of chapters in this book interesting, and I felt that the author hit the perfect length in chapters and interviews to keep the reader hooked.
Even if you never heard of Vin Scully, I would recommend this book to anyone, as he was someone whose faith, kindness, and humility touched everyone. The interviews beautifully touched on every aspect of his personality, and if anything, I could feel the spirit of Vin coming to me from the book.
May 13, 2024
For any Dodger fan, listening to Vin Scully was more than just hearing about what the Dodgers were up to on that particular day. No, it was about how Vin made you feel about the baseball game taking place in front of him. From his opening greeting to his marveling at the feats taking place on the diamond, he made you feel like a friend, and it was something special In this amazing collection of 67 essays about the great broadcaster, Tom Hoffarth has assembled a who’s who of Los Angeles and national personalities to recount their love for Vin Scully. It is an appreciation not just of the gentleman who called Dodgers games for an astonishing 67 years, but it is also a reminder of how lucky we all were to have a friend like Vin. Through his call of the game, you felt his insight, his compassion, his empathy. You could feel his enthusiasm and his love of the people who surrounded him. These essays will sharpen your memories of Vin and will give you that feeling of sitting back on a warm summer day listening to the Dodgers wherever you may be.
October 21, 2024
I loved Vin Scully and I loved this book. With his resonant baritone, his endless ability to find precisely the right story in baseball history or deep statistic from that sport, he will forever be missed by Dodgers fans (and beyond!). He also broadcast number of classic World Series on television including that magical call of Kirk Gibson's home run.
Like Vin himself, this book - a tribute - is perfectly thought out and prepared. It is separated into nine innings ("chapters") that each feature a theme or feature of Vin's personality that his friends and colleagues wanted to share their thoughts on. There 64 different writers, including Bob Costas on the Craft of Broadcasting, Family and Faith by Steve Garvey, the Voice of a Storyteller by current Dodgers and Fox Sports play by play broadcaster Joe Davis, Humility and Sincerity by Orel Hershiser, Building Connections by Al Michaels, Kindness and Friendship by LA area Hall of Famers for broadcasting - Jamie Jarrin and Bob Miller, History and Patriotism by Joe Buck and Commissioner Bud Selig, Celebrity and Fame by Bryan Cranston and Harry Shearer, Inspiration and Influence by LA broadcasters Tom Leykis, Jim Hill, John Ireland, and Jon Weisman.
All told, these 64 mini essays all taught me something I thought I knew already. Do yourself a favor: if you are Dodgers fan, this is essential reading. If you are a baseball fan, you will also find some revelatory stories of the most iconic broadcaster in the history of the game and will come to learn about one of the most beloved sports icons ever.
Like Vin himself, this book - a tribute - is perfectly thought out and prepared. It is separated into nine innings ("chapters") that each feature a theme or feature of Vin's personality that his friends and colleagues wanted to share their thoughts on. There 64 different writers, including Bob Costas on the Craft of Broadcasting, Family and Faith by Steve Garvey, the Voice of a Storyteller by current Dodgers and Fox Sports play by play broadcaster Joe Davis, Humility and Sincerity by Orel Hershiser, Building Connections by Al Michaels, Kindness and Friendship by LA area Hall of Famers for broadcasting - Jamie Jarrin and Bob Miller, History and Patriotism by Joe Buck and Commissioner Bud Selig, Celebrity and Fame by Bryan Cranston and Harry Shearer, Inspiration and Influence by LA broadcasters Tom Leykis, Jim Hill, John Ireland, and Jon Weisman.
All told, these 64 mini essays all taught me something I thought I knew already. Do yourself a favor: if you are Dodgers fan, this is essential reading. If you are a baseball fan, you will also find some revelatory stories of the most iconic broadcaster in the history of the game and will come to learn about one of the most beloved sports icons ever.
March 4, 2024
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Perfect Eloquence” is a Vin Scully tribute book. The author of this book has stories about the master storyteller Vin Scully. Most of these stories are ones I didn’t know - from acts of kindness Mr. Scully did out of the ballpark to Mr. Scully being, well, a gentleman and being so incredibly kind in general. One of the things I so enjoy about Mr. Scully is that seemingly no one has ever said a bad word about him - such a rarity. As a huge SF Giants fan, I’ll admit to loving our current broadcasters - but it didn’t dawn on me that Mr. Scully announced solo - so when he was talking about the game or telling his stories, he really was talking to you - the listener, not a partner in the booth with him. I’ll be honest - the reason I requested this book was because Vin Scully was one of my son’s favorite announcers and I know my son would’ve wanted to read this book. This was an amazingly touching tribute to an amazingly sweet and generous man - both on and off the diamond.
“Perfect Eloquence” is a Vin Scully tribute book. The author of this book has stories about the master storyteller Vin Scully. Most of these stories are ones I didn’t know - from acts of kindness Mr. Scully did out of the ballpark to Mr. Scully being, well, a gentleman and being so incredibly kind in general. One of the things I so enjoy about Mr. Scully is that seemingly no one has ever said a bad word about him - such a rarity. As a huge SF Giants fan, I’ll admit to loving our current broadcasters - but it didn’t dawn on me that Mr. Scully announced solo - so when he was talking about the game or telling his stories, he really was talking to you - the listener, not a partner in the booth with him. I’ll be honest - the reason I requested this book was because Vin Scully was one of my son’s favorite announcers and I know my son would’ve wanted to read this book. This was an amazingly touching tribute to an amazingly sweet and generous man - both on and off the diamond.
April 23, 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. Scully is an historical figure and a broadcasting legend. I grew up not liking him. You see, he was the radio and TV play by play guy for the hated LA Dodgers, the main NL West Division rival for my beloved Cincinnati Reds. As a Reds fan, I felt morally obliged to dislike the silky voice and the stories that were sports adjacent.
As I entered adulthood, my disdain for the Dodgers has waned, and I grew to appreciate Scully's voice. After he passed, I read some wonderful tributes to him and decided to find out more about him .
This is a wonderful tribute to a man that excelled in his job and from all accounts treated all those he came in contact with as Imago Dei, people he treated with respect, love, humility and grace. The humility in which he carried himself is truly extraordinary. The gift he had for loving those around him - even when he was just around them for a few brief moments - is truly extraordinary.
There are lots of takeaways within these pages. Strongly recommend the book.
As I entered adulthood, my disdain for the Dodgers has waned, and I grew to appreciate Scully's voice. After he passed, I read some wonderful tributes to him and decided to find out more about him .
This is a wonderful tribute to a man that excelled in his job and from all accounts treated all those he came in contact with as Imago Dei, people he treated with respect, love, humility and grace. The humility in which he carried himself is truly extraordinary. The gift he had for loving those around him - even when he was just around them for a few brief moments - is truly extraordinary.
There are lots of takeaways within these pages. Strongly recommend the book.
June 2, 2025
I am a die hard Cubs fan. We have our share of HOF broadcasters like Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray and Pat Hughes. But none of them carry the aura and mystique of Vin Scully. I was not able to fall asleep listening to his broadcasts as a kid as so many contributors in this book did. However I certainly appreciated any interviews he gave the Chicago media when the Cubs played the Dodgers and of course his national post-season broadcasts. Still vividly remember his call of Kirk Gibson's homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. But baseball and broadcasting aside, the overwhelming take away from this book for me was the man's decency and humanity. What a gentleman!
March 14, 2025
A very moving tribute to the icon of play-by-play sports announcers. Growing up, after the Dodgers came to LA, I could listen to theDodger games at night and enjoyed listening to Vin. I had dreams of playing MLB as a kid growing up. My dad was a baseball fan and helped me a lot towards that goal. What this book brings out about Vin was his gentlemanly conduct towards others, his insatiable reading of many things, his knowledge of history and most of all his devotion to his religion. This book is a good read for baseball fans.
August 27, 2025
This hit the sweet spot for me. The title clearly states what this is ‘An Appreciation’, so for the most part it is all sunshine and love, but it captures so much heart that it does not matter that outside of one or two submissions it is not terribly objective. I love LA, I have been there four times and have absolutely loved each of them, and I am looking forward to the next time. On a personal level, when I moved to Indiana after high school, my parents got me a portable satellite radio to listen to the Cubs, but Vin drew me in. I listened a lot, but not enough. Thank you Vin!
April 14, 2025
These essays about Vin Scully were fun to read. I could hear Vin's voice so clearly in my mind when I read quotes from him. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because it was somewhat redundant. Many essays covered the same information-- his Catholic faith, his gifted story-telling, his humility. Still a great read for any baseball fan.
May 20, 2024
A tribute to Vin Scully. Bite-sized vignettes, lots of photos.
June 21, 2024
Maybe a bit too much discussion of Catholicism for those of us who don’t believe in transubstantiation, but otherwise very enjoyable.
August 9, 2024
A moving and meaningful tribute to an iconic baseball announcer and extraordinary person. If you have ever had the thrill of listening to a Scully broadcast this is a book to read and enjoy.
September 8, 2024
A book every Dodgers fan should take the time to read. The book is a true appreciation for how Scully changed the game for many hearts.
Including mine.
Including mine.
March 27, 2025
Wonderful tribute to a true gentleman from baseball!
68 rabid fans and friends of Vin Scully share their heart warming memories of Vin … broadcaster and human extraordinaire,
68 rabid fans and friends of Vin Scully share their heart warming memories of Vin … broadcaster and human extraordinaire,
July 2, 2025
No spoilers: Everyone knows Vin was an amazing broadcaster and human. Great to hear so many more great stories about him. Recommend to any baseball fan.
November 3, 2025
Millions of people around the world listened to Vin Scully as he masterfully wove stories into his calls of Dodger games. Similarly, Perfect Eloquence weaves stories of Vin Scully's life together to paint a portrait of the man behind the mic.
Hoffarth's work is a fantastic collection of stories about Vin Scully's reach and impact on baseball fans, Southern Californians, and society as a whole. The stories come from a range of individuals: friends, former players, fellow sportscasters, and individuals who felt some kind of connection to Vin - possibly without ever even having met him. The stories, loosely grouped into "innings" of Vin's life, come together to give the reader a fascinating and awe-inspiring look into Vin's life. His reach and impact made him much more than the voice of Dodger baseball.
In my opinion, the Perfect Eloquence is preferable to traditional biographies. The short stories build upon and reinforce Vin's character to give the reader a full picture of the man.
I would recommend this book to any sports fan - especially Dodger's fans!
Hoffarth's work is a fantastic collection of stories about Vin Scully's reach and impact on baseball fans, Southern Californians, and society as a whole. The stories come from a range of individuals: friends, former players, fellow sportscasters, and individuals who felt some kind of connection to Vin - possibly without ever even having met him. The stories, loosely grouped into "innings" of Vin's life, come together to give the reader a fascinating and awe-inspiring look into Vin's life. His reach and impact made him much more than the voice of Dodger baseball.
In my opinion, the Perfect Eloquence is preferable to traditional biographies. The short stories build upon and reinforce Vin's character to give the reader a full picture of the man.
I would recommend this book to any sports fan - especially Dodger's fans!
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