Scully and Wooden, together on one stage

It was just an idea, "Scully & Wooden for the kids."

Just imagine how much money the two legends, sitting side-by-side on stage, might raise for kids in the Los Angeles area contending with cancer.

But then how many ideas do you get in a lifetime, never doing anything about it, later kicking yourself because you didn't follow through?

Make it a really far-fetched idea, and well, forget it.

A baseball-busy Vin Scully isn't much for taking a bow in public, and for all I know John Wooden is lying on the floor somewhere not wanting to bother anyone.

But one day I'm talking to Michael Roth, the P.R. guy for the Anschutz Empire in town, and anything to avoid chatting with him about soccer, I mention the really far-fetched idea.

"Let's do it," he says, confirming my hunch and what he's been telling me for some time now -- Tim Leiweke and Philip Anschutz aren't anywhere nearly as powerful as he is.

And so just like that, the Anschutz Empire makes available the 7,000-seat Nokia Theater L.A. Live at no charge -- just so more money might go to the kids.

The firm of Roth, Leiweke & Anschutz also volunteers to pick up all expenses for the event, the cherry on top -- throwing a fancy-schmancy dinner to thank sponsors who also might volunteer to help financially on such a memorable night.

So I call Wooden, who screens his calls, and that could very well have been that.

But he picks up, which really makes you wonder whether he's feeling all right these days. I mention the really far-fetched idea, the kids at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, and he says, "Let's do it."

I call Scully, which is a departure from my usual way of communicating with him. I like to wait until he enters the bathroom in the press box, knowing how difficult it is to ever get a private moment with someone so popular, and funny, but he's never let on that it might be a little weird where I seem to hang out.

I tell Scully I would like to have him sit with Wooden on the Nokia stage -- with the other half of the proceeds benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which falls under the Dodgers' Think Cure campaign, and I don't even finish the sentence and he's telling me, "Let's do it."

Right now, I believe, this is what they mean about a dream come true: Scully & Wooden for the kids, June 13, Father's Day weekend, and how many fathers over the years have regaled their youngsters with stories about these two extraordinary men?

UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and the McCourts also pledge big-time help, Roth, I presume keeping the identity of his partner in this dream come true a secret.

Tickets range from $25 to $200, on sale May 7 at Ticketmaster, finally some good news for kids and parents who can use it, all the proceeds going to those in town working to find a cure.

Now as for the emcee of the event, it comes down to Tom Hanks and Page 2, the choice an obvious one, as you might imagine -- after it becomes clear Hanks is not available.

Scully & Wooden, of course, are thrilled with the selection of the irreverent emcee, Scully saying, "I'll have a signal with John and at one point we're just going to get up and walk off stage."

So much for Page 2's career.



IT WILL be an Actors Studio setting, Scully & Wooden sitting together, the emcee off to the side, and when Wooden hears this, he objects.