Dodgers Dugout: A statue? Solving the TV deal? How would you honor Vin Scully?

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell, and I'm wondering: If Vin Scully talks into a microphone, but 70% of Dodgers fans can’t hear it, does that mean he never spoke?

Honoring Vin Scully

A few newsletters ago, I asked you to send in your ideas on how the Dodgers should honor Vin Scully in what will be his final season. Here are some of your responses in this special Scully edition of Dodgers Dugout:

Ed Gallego: I think anything less than a statue would be a slight to, not just a great broadcaster, but a wonderful person and role model to players and fans alike. I’ve been dreading the day when I would no longer be able to hear that voice again.

Don Riley: First, I suggest a statue of Vinnie behind the home plate entrance of Dodger Stadium.  Second, to honor the Dodgers arrival in Los Angeles in 1957:  Let's give Vinnie a completely restored, 1957 Cadillac. Have it painted Dodger Blue, with red and white highlights.  Third, retire a uniform number in honor of Vin. 

Craig Holtz: A statute of Vin Scully sitting in a reporters booth. It would be up on a pedestal. Around the base of the statute would be numerous headphones which would play calls and stories by Vin Scully, from Sandy Koufax’s perfect game to Gibson’s home run to his timeless descriptions of players and events. This is something that fans would flock to, and in the future, parents could take their kids to tell and show them how great an announcer Vin Scully was, and what he meant to our enjoyment and education the game.

Curtis Emmanuel: 1. Allocate a key section of the stands and name it after Vin Scully. 2. Promote a Vin Scully Posse fan club (loyal Vin Scully group) who will have access to this section the stands at a reduction of the cost to other areas. 3. Provide Vin Scully T-Shirts to the VS Posse at a reduced cost. 4. Promote and secure same arrangement at other baseball stadiums.

Bruce Figoten: I think the Dodgers should honor Vin Scully by making a statue of him and having a "Vin Scully Day." They could also design a patch for the players to wear. 

Brian Perry: Win the World Series to entice him back for another season.

Joseph Sullivan: No fan would object to hearing his voice over the whole stadium on his final game. Preferably with all organ music from Nancy Bea. 

Sandy Maroney: Put a DVD with Vin calling the Kirk Gibson game (1988 Series Game 1) in a space capsule which might help to keep Vin's legacy alive for as long as there is an Earth left to live on.

Roland: Game jerseys with Scully and the No. 1 used in the last game of the season.

Joe Meehan: No better way to honor Vin than to win the World Series, and talk Fox into having him behind the mic instead of Joe Buck.

Daniel Ramey: They should rename Dodger Stadium for him. He is the epitome of a first class human being. His name is synonymous with the Dodgers. And I feel it would be a fitting and lasting tribute to the best baseball announcer to ever call a game! 

Neal Stevens:  I think it would be great to have his name on every baseball used at Dodger Stadium. Or maybe have his name cut into the grass right behind the mound or in the outfield for every game.

Dan Ellis: How about a museum inside the stadium with pictures, and awards of his in trophy cases, from his days in Brooklyn to current.

John Kerry: How about a multi-DVD set of Scully's favorite games that he called with him choosing the games. This would allow baseball fans to listen to and enjoy his work long after he has retired. 

Brian Houry: I think it would be cool if the grounds crew cut the outfield grass into a portrait of Vin Scully for the entire season.  I'm sure Vin would come up with some great calls for plays made on his very own face.

Mark Wolf: Aside from getting the team back on TV, the Dodgers should immediately add “Scully 67” or the image of a microphone to the retired numbers on the facade of the loge level.

Dan Leahy: Obviously, the best way to honor Vinnie is to let us see him on TV. Anything less will be little honor at all.

Those are just a handful of the emails I received. Most want a statue of some kind, but almost everyone mentioned that the Dodgers need to find a way for games to be seen by all fans on TV this season.

Here's a thought

I think a statue of some sort is needed. Perhaps a statue of him sitting in a broadcast booth, like he's calling a game. There's an empty chair next to him that swivels in and out, so you can literally "pull up a chair" and spend a minute with Vin's statue, while posing for a picture.

Also, headphone kiosks throughout Dodger Stadium, with a list of his classic calls you can choose from and listen to.

One more thing: A downloadable app for your smartphone, tablet or computer. The app contains the Dodgers schedule and start times. Five minutes before a Dodgers game begins, the app activates and plays, in Vin Scully's voice, "It's time for Dodgers baseball." On your screen is the game info, including who is pitching for both teams and where you can watch it on TV or listen to it on the radio. You could even charge $1 for the app each season and donate the money to a charity of Vin's choosing.

Last, I would set up a $1-million scholarship fund. Each year, students who want to major in broadcast journalism apply for a Vin Scully Scholarship. They could write an essay, or submit video of themselves calling a game. A panel, including Scully, would select 10 winners to receive $100,000 to be used for tuition to whatever school they choose to go to.

And finally

Some classic Scully calls you can listen to now: Kirk Gibson's iconic homer. The final three outs of Sandy Koufax's perfect game. Memorable moments during Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter.

Have a comment or something you'd like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me and follow me on Twitter: @latimeshouston