O’Malley: Vin was Dodgers’ greatest asset in LA

LOS ANGELES — He has known Vin Scully for the legendary broadcaster’s entire 67-year career, was Scully’s employer for three decades, and they were roommates on a goodwill trip to Japan when Dwight Eisenhower was president.

So Peter O’Malley knows the man as well as anyone, and he explained why Scully became the voice of the franchise and an icon in this city.

Farewell, Vin Scully Justice: Scully hits all the right notes in farewell Cut4: Everything you wanted to see, hear from Vin’s last home game Scully’s 10 greatest calls Scully happy riding off into retirement Scully pens heartfelt letter to Dodgers fans Best moments from Scully’s pregame ceremony Enjoy Scully’s funniest calls Vin Scully: Broadcasting Royalty Watch: Vin Scully More Vin Scully coverage ¬Dodgers set plan to celebrate ScullyStars turn out to honor ScullyRoberts gets turn in Vin’s boothRoberts gets turn in Vin’s boothScully’s humility big part of legacyRespect mutual between Scully, umpiresScully describes Beatles’ escapeScully calls Dodgers-Giants dustupScully calls two games at onceScully shares six fantastic stories

“In a word, Vin is genuine; that’s the perfect word,” said O’Malley, who was in the front row of dignitaries during the stirring pregame ceremony on Scully Appreciation Night. “Genuine, that is Vin, through and through. It’s the way he is with work and the way he is with fans.

“There’s no baloney there. He’s very sincere, very thoughtful, and I think that’s one of the reasons he’s so popular. It’s not just his talent behind the microphone, but it’s the person that he is. He’s a genuine good guy. I can’t think of anyone more genuine, and that comes through in his work, or if you just met him in the elevator. That’s him, and people see that and know that.”

And O’Malley, having been president for nearly three decades of the club his family owned for nearly a half-century, credits Scully for helping make the Dodgers what they became.

“Having Vin communicate to the public for 200 days or 100 days or whatever — he was the most important piece to the Dodgers’ puzzle, ever since we came to L.A.,” said O’Malley. “He was our spokesperson, even more than managers Walter Alston or Tommy Lasorda. No one was more important to our acceptance when we arrived, and no one has been more important since, than Vin.”

If a man is judged by the company he keeps, consider the company Scully keeps.

“The thing I treasure most is that I call him …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com