Bud Selig honors Vin Scully with prestigious award

Before Friday, there was one person in baseball who had received the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award as a non-player: Rachel Robinson, wife of the late Jackie Robinson.

That number doubled when Commissioner Bud Selig presented Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully with the award before the club’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scully became the 14th person to win the award in its 26-year history; the award was created to recognize accomplishments and contributions of historical significance to baseball. As Selig handed him the award, a visibly moved Scully said, “I’m deeply touched.”

“For somebody who grew up as a kid listening to the radio every day, that was my bond with baseball for many years,” Selig said. “You have no idea what a privilege this is. This is remarkable.”

The 86-year-old Scully has been broadcasting Dodgers games since 1950, following the team in its move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. He won the Ford Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, and according to Selig, there’s never been anybody better behind a microphone.

“Thinking about this for a long time, this is for all of us in baseball to pause today and take the opportunity to shine a light on a remarkable human being, and a man who has led one of the most distinguished baseball lives ever,” Selig said. “He is to me, and to many, the embodiment of the goodwill that our games inspire. Every day he reminds us of why this game is forever our national pastime.”

Selig also said that there’s a bond baseball fans have with their broadcasters and that Scully is the patriarch of that family.

“Vin, I want to thank you,” Selig said. “You have been a great gift to baseball in every way. We look forward to a 66th year of excellence, and on behalf of everyone I just want to say thank you. It is a privilege to know you.”