Recalling a letter from Dodgers broadcaster Scully

The letter changed my life.

In 1958, when I was 13, the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

That season, the roster included guys named Snider and Hodges and Drysdale and Roseboro. I loved them all. But, for me, one Dodger stood head and shoulders above the rest: a guy named Scully.

Vin Scully became my hero — for life.

After 67 masterful seasons in the broadcast booth, the 88-year-old Dodger announcer will hang ‘em up in just a few short weeks. I’ll miss him. Boy, is that an understatement!

Those first few seasons in L.A., I listened to virtually every Dodger broadcast. Now, in his final campaign, I’ve taken to watching as many telecasts as possible. I want to remember.

One night during the 1958 season I nearly burned down our Costa Mesa house. I spirited a vacuum tube radio beneath my bedcovers and fell asleep listening to Vinny call the action. I awoke at 1 a.m. My covers were scorched, there was a horrible odor and my radio was a melted heap.

Mom was livid.

During the first few seasons my dad took us to games at the Coliseum and later Dodger Stadium. Like hundreds of fans, I took my transistor to listen to Vinny’s play-by-play. I kept one eye on the field and the other on the press box.

On July 21, 1960, when I was 15, I wrote Vinny a letter. It said: “Mr. Scully, I want to be a broadcaster like you. What do I need to do?” I also had the cheek to ask if I could visit him in the press box.

Five days later he composed a response on a manual typewriter.

I’ve always treasured that response but, for 40 years or so, I thought I’d lost it. Then, in 2012, my wife and I renovated our guestroom and removed boxes from a closet.

There, in mint condition, was Scully’s reply.

“Dear Jim,” he began.

“Many thanks for your kind and thoughtful letter of the 21st of July. From reading your background, I would say that you are definitely following the right course for a career in broadcasting. I would certainly continue as you have been doing and then I would definitely plan on attending college when the time comes.”

He was the first person to encourage me to go to college.

“Unfortunately,” Scully continued, “there is no set way to success in broadcasting but I would think that you should attend a college or university that features an FM or campus radio station. I would vary my activities while at college so as to be as fully equipped as possible upon graduation.

“Participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible and I am sure that in time, with your natural desires and proper training, you will reach your chosen goal in the broadcasting field.

“I regret to say that because of lack of space, we are unable to have visitors in our broadcasting booth. I trust you will understand. Again, my best wishes for your future success.

“Sincerely, Vin Scully.”

Wow!

Then, a postscript.

In my original letter I’d enclosed a school picture of myself. I pointed out that, like Vin, I had freckles.

“P.S. — I am enclosing your picture which is certainly a good one and I am sure you would like to keep it. You certainly beat me in the freckles department!”

My sophomore year at Costa Mesa High I wrote an essay about Vin for my English class. I mentioned my dream of becoming a broadcaster. Providentially, my English teacher was assigned press box supervision duties for Mesa’s football games the next fall. He invited me to be P.A. announcer. I was thrilled.

I took Vin’s advice and became the first member of my family to graduate from college. I never joined him in the broadcast booth, but I embarked upon a career that could not have been more fulfilling.

I was hired by my alma mater, Orange Coast College, in 1971 as director of community relations. For 21 seasons I was the P.A. announcer for Pirate football games. I retired in 2008 after 37 years with the college. The press box was named in my honor.

Scully taught me about grace. As OCC’s PR director, I frequently spoke to community groups. I endeavored always to conduct myself in the manner of my mentor.

Congratulations, Vin, on your incredible career. Thanks for taking time to respond to a 15-year-old’s missive.

You changed his life.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.