Vin Scully says he's OK with adding a protege to Dodgers booth

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Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully looks over Dodger Stadium before a game on July 3, 2012. Scully has worked as an announcer for the Dodgers organization for more than six decades. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully, with wife Sandi at his side, waves to the crowd during a ceremony honoring the Dodgers broadcaster before the game Sept. 23, 2016, at Dodger Stadium.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully and Hall-of-Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax embrace during the pregame ceremony honoring the Dodgers broadcaster on Sept. 23, 2016.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts (30) joins MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, right, in presenting a check to Vin Scully to be donated to the Dodgers broadcaster’s favorite charity during a pregame ceremoney Sept. 23, 2016.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully speaks to family, friends and fans during a pregame ceremony honoring the legendary Dodgers broadcaster Friday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans wipe away tears during the pregame ceremony honoring Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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A fan holds a letter from Vin Scully that was given out before the Dodgers game on Friday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully stands in front of street sign marking “Vin Scully Way” at the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Vero Beach, Fla., in 1985. (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully with Jerry Doggett in the announcer’s booth at Dodgertown during spring training in Vero Beach, Florida on April 8, 1985.

(Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully, center, poses for a photo with Dodgers pitching greats Don Drysdale, left, and Sandy Koufax during spring training in Vero Beach, Fla., in 1985. (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully speaks to Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser, left, as Dodgers outfielder Kirk Gibson listens during a November 1989 charity benefit. (Steve Lowry / Associated Press)

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Vin Scully sits in the broadcast booth at Dodger Stadium in September 1999. Scully’s talents have landed him speaking roles in several baseball-themed movies and television shows. He even served as a game show host. (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)

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From left, longtime Kings announcer Bob Miller, legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn and Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully talk before a show for Fox Sports in December 2000. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully has broadcast Dodgers games since before the team moved to L.A. in 1958.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully speaks during manager Joe Torre’s introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium in November 2007. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully acknowledges the crowd after receiving a standing ovation before a game between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox at the Coliseum in March 2008. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully listens to legendary UCLA coach John Wooden at an interview in June 2008. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully announces, “It’s time for Dodgers baseball,” before the team’s season opener against the San Francisco Giants in April 2009. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Hall of Fame Dodger announcer Vin Scully before the start of a Dodgers - Reds game at Dodger Stadium on August 22, 2010.

(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully looks at a Sandy Koufax bobblehead doll while in the broadcast booth on Aug. 7, 2012. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully acknowledges the cheers of the crowd during his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium on July 25, 2013. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Vin Scully waves to fans as he rides in a car with his wife, Sandra Hunt, while serving as the 2014 Rose Parade Grand Marshal. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Dodgers announcer Vin Scully takes the stage to speak about his decision to come back for a 66th season in the broadcast booth during a news conference at Dodger Stadium on July 30, 2014.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Vin Scully is applauded on the field at Dodger Stadium, by family members, as he is recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as the “longest tenured sports team employee” on September 23, 2015.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Steve Dilbeck

Nov. 2, 2014 12:24 PM PT

Maybe it seems a tad late in the game for this, though that doesn’t mean it’s too late.

Giants broadcaster Jon Miller suggested to The Times’ Bill Shaikin that the Dodgers should hire a young broadcaster whom Vin Scully could mentor as his eventual successor, much as Red Barber had once done with Scully.

In every game Scully broadcasts for the Dodgers, of course, he currently goes all nine innings alone. That doesn’t mean, however, Scully would be against Miller’s suggestion.

“Not at all,” Scully said.

Scully said he had actually once made a recommendation for such a role, but the unnamed broadcaster received an attractive national offer and had a wife who seemed less than eager to move to Los Angeles.

And though careful to say choosing his eventual successor would not be up to him, but to the team, he’s also not keen on eventually retiring without the Dodgers having a successor in mind.

“I would hope something would be developed for the future,” Scully said. “I wouldn’t want to leave them in the lurch.”

Scully turns 87 at the end of the month, but has announced he will return for the 2015 season. Each year he makes a decision about returning, though next year will see him cut further down on his road trips.

Originally Scully said he would not make any road trips next season that weren’t down the freeway to Anaheim, but now says he will include games in San Francisco against the World Series champion Giants.

Scully was fresh out of college when Barber took him under his wing to help with his radio broadcasts of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. Barber -- like Scully -- was a proponent of one voice in the booth, so Scully initially did the third and seventh innings.

“He wanted me to succeed,” Scully said. “He worked me hard. He really got on me.”

After four seasons, Barber left to broadcast the Yankees and Scully became the team’s lead broadcaster. At age 26. Next season will mark his 66th consecutive season with the Dodgers, the longest run with one team in sports broadcasting history.

Scully said he would not be opposed to giving up a couple innings to a young buck, mentoring him much as Barber had once done to a red-headed kid born in the Bronx.

Vin Scully says he’s OK with adding a protege to Dodgers booth

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