Home for a Vin Scully ball (and an introduction)
 

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, so will start with an intro.

I am Vit-D. I am a small time collector of sports related items that I find cool. Mostly old baseball cards, but with some game used stuff as well. My favorite pieces of my collection are a game used SF Giants Juan Perez jersey from the 2014 NLDS and NLCS, a full (un-torn) ticket from the Kirk Gibson game, a card with piece of a HR ball from the year that Mark McGwire hit 70, and a UC Irvine Big West Basketball Championship ring (I am an alum.)

With that out of the way, one of the cool pieces in my collection is a game used ball from the final game of Vin Scully's announcing career. Not only that, but the ball was from the bottom of the 8th inning, and it was the ball that was hit for the final run and RBI that Vin ever called. Perhaps I am overrating the ball a bit, but I think it is an interesting piece, and perhaps the sort of thing that should be somewhere that people (especially Dodger Fans) could see it, rather than a bookshelf in my house.

If the right opportunity presented itself, I wouldn't mind considering the donation of this item to a museum or something like that, but I haven't been able to find the right place. I e-mailed the Baseball Hall of Fame, and they said that they were looking for things more closely tied to his career, but other than that, I have kind of hit a dead end.

I heard that this is THE place for vintage games used discussion. I realize this is totally vintage, but maybe you guys have some ideas?

Thank you in advance.

Thanks for your service


Great story behind ball

Welcome Vit-D. I would say the ball is an interesting item to us long time Dodger Fans.

3 of my best friends played Basketball @UC Irvine in the early 80's and I know they didn't win anything, LOL. I remember Chick Hearn doing one of their playoff games and they had the thrill of having Chick call their names.

Vinny called my name, "Tapia" in his last broadcast vs the Rockies. I never heard the "Raimel", only the Tapia part. I saved it in my archives.

So, send me the ball and I'll verify it for you.:D:D
;);)

Thanks for the generous offer to authenticate my ball! What is your address?

Just kidding....

Joking aside, the ball is actually already authenticated. I bought it directly from MLB.com and it has a sticker and everything.

Very Cool! have you tried contacting the Dodgers? They might be interested

Hi Vit-d,
Welcome to net54! I grew up in Tustin, which is pretty close to UCI, but instead went to CSUF.
I believe the OP's suggestion of contacting the Dodgers is a solid one.
It's been a while since I visited Dodger Stadium, but they must have a Dodgers Museum of sorts. Where better to reach a great sampling of Dodger fans?

Yeah, I think you guys are on to something. I attempted to contact the Dodgers through their main fan feedback email account. If anyone knows a better avenue to reach someone who may be able to “help” with this, please let me know. I will update everyone if something interesting happens, but I wouldn’t count on it!

If you tweet at them you may have a better chance of success and give it more visibility

I'm a CSUN alum, great school only took me 10 years to get through:D

VIT-D,

The Dodgers have a great museum on the club level that everyone can see and another down in the Dugout Boxes with all the silver sluggers, trophy's and other awards. Here's a pic I took with one of my grand kids on a recent visit to the Stadium of the Vin Scully exhibit. Your ball would look great there.

I have a particular fondness for the place as my dad worked on the original construction of Dodger Stadium in 1961-62 and we some how ended up with 20 chairs??? I have the last 2 here in my home office. If the Dodgers don't want it, we might reconsider the next best place which could be right there for the ball of the week???

La times
 

this is in the Times today in case you missed it?

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story...sports-history

Vin Scully voted Biggest Icon in LA Sports History.

His final words are quoted.

“You know, friends, so many people have wished me congratulations on a 67-year career in baseball, and they’ve wished me a wonderful retirement with my family, and now, all I can do is tell you what I wish for you. May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow; for every tear, a smile; for every care, a promise; and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life seems, a faithful friend to share; for every sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer. You and I have been friends for a long time, but I know, in my heart, I’ve always needed you more than you’ve ever needed me, and I’ll miss our time together more than I can say. But, you know what, there will be a new day, and, eventually, a new year, and when the upcoming winter gives way to spring, ooh, rest assured, once again, it will be time for Dodger baseball. So, this is Vin Scully wishing you a pleasant good afternoon, wherever you may be.”

Very Timely, indeed!

Absolutely awesome!! Love Vin Scully. :D

Does anyone have an idea who I would (or could) contact with the Dodgers in an attempt to donate that baseball? I tried the generic “contact us” email, and sending out a tweet, but no response.

I know a couple of Dodger employees to contact about this. If you want to post a picture of the ball and the MLB certification, I will pass it along to them to see if they are interested. I know they are space constrained at the Stadium regarding how much they can put on display, but they do have that Vin Scully display already set up, and your ball could fit in nicely. I think your offer is very generous, and if they are interested, I'll arrange for you to get in contact with them.

Thanks for that offer. I sent you a private message. Please let me know if it did not go through

Love Vin; baseball isn't the same without him. Or without, er, games. I got this directly from him at a behind the scenes visit to the stadium with Don Newcombe.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...t%20Scully.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...damandnewk.jpg