Dodgers players grateful for their time with Vin Scully – Press Telegram

SAN FRANCISCO — At the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game at Oracle Park, the San Francisco Giants informed the crowd of the death of Vin Scully, offering a brief tribute to the legendary broadcaster on the stadium’s scoreboard.

It was one last game between the Dodgers and the Giants for Scully to get closure.

“You know, it was the Dodgers,” Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said. “Growing up in Southern California, it didn’t matter where you were if you heard that voice on the radio or on TV, you knew the Dodgers were on the road. I think there are a lot of heavy hearts here tonight hearing that news, but also very grateful and grateful that I had the opportunity to come here and play in this organization and get to know him. And come to consider him a friend.

“It’s a rough night.”

During his 67 seasons as the Dodgers announcer, Scully called 18 no-hitters. One of the last was Clayton Kershaw’s in 2014.

“He was the best he’s ever been,” Kershaw said of Scully. “Just when you think about the Dodgers, there’s a lot of history here and a lot of people that have come through. It’s just a franchise with history. But it almost starts with Vin, honestly.

“In terms of the history of our organization, Vin has been through it all. Just such a special man. … Just a tremendous life and legacy that he’s led and grateful that I got to know him.”

For players who grew up in Southern California like Turner and Austin Barnes, Scully already made an impression on them before they reached the big leagues.

“I grew up watching him, listening to Vin,” said Barnes, who grew up in Riverside. “The way he called games, it made you feel at home, like he was in your living room. … It’s kind of like my childhood, growing up, hearing him call baseball games, the way he talked about baseball.

“I think he made my debut, I think my first hit. That’s something I’ll always remember. I got to meet him, talk to him a few times too, just tell him how important he was to me and how special he was to my childhood and my family, really. I mean, we all grew up listening to Dodger baseball and listening to the games he called. … He’s almost part of our family.”

Turner recalled meeting Scully for the first time as a visiting player with the New York Mets.

“I was with the Mets in town playing the Dodgers and he came down to the visiting clubhouse to say hello,” Turner said. “He told me he was a fellow redhead and we redheads have to stick together.

“I thought it was crazy that Vin Scully came into the clubhouse to meet me and say hello. That’s something I’ll definitely never forget.”

Yasiel Puig was among the former Dodgers who took to social media to express their appreciation Tuesday night as news of Scully’s passing spread.