Vin Scully on Cardinals mimicking Puig: 'It was like a chorus line'

Vin Scully on Cardinals mimicking Puig: ‘It was like a chorus line’

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully says he would "hate to see a game where there wasn't any emotion."

By Bill Shaikin

Oct. 18, 2013 3:11 PM PT

ST. LOUIS -- Vin Scully is 85. He has called games for the Dodgers since Jackie Robinson played for them. He does not just talk about the old school. He was enrolled in it.

As the story line rages about whether the Dodgers are too full of money, flair and themselves -- in contrast with the old-school St. Louis Cardinals -- Scully said he did not believe the Dodgers players had done anything offensive.

“They’re just having fun,” Scully said before Friday’s Game 6 of the National League championship series. “I would hate to see a game where there wasn’t any emotion. I like to see it. I think the fans enjoy it. I would love to see more.”

Scully said he was astonished to look toward the St. Louis dugout in Game 5, with Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig about to take his first at-bat. Scully said he saw the entire Cardinals team lined up along the rail, mimicking and exaggerating the gestures Puig had made in the on-deck circle.

“It was like a chorus line,” said Scully, a Dodgers broadcaster since 1950. “I had never seen that.”

The Cardinals have chirped about the gestures of Puig and Adrian Gonzalez. Scully noted that Hanley Ramirez has made his “I See You” sign after a big hit since he joined the Dodgers last year, without stirring a national debate.

“You hit a game-winning home run and the other team says you’re trying to show them up?” Scully said. “God almighty.”

Scully acknowledged that many contemporary players -- on the Dodgers and other teams -- are visibly upset at what used to be regarded as an ordinary high-and-tight fastball.

“I would love to see some of the Cardinals facing [Bob] Gibson, or some of the Dodgers facing [Don] Drysdale,” Scully said. “It would be totally different.”

But Scully thought back to Joe DiMaggio, one of the most talented players he has ever seen. The way Scully told the story, DiMaggio played with no emotion.

“As much as I loved Joe DiMaggio,” Scully said, “I would hate to see 18 Joe DiMaggios on the field.”