The World Has Changed So Much During Vin Scully's Announcing Career

The Dodgers broadcaster will return for his 66th season.

ByABC News
July 30, 2014, 1:54 AM

— -- Vin Scully is timeless.

The 86-year-old Hall of Fame baseball announcer will return for his 66th season with the Dodgers in 2015, a record.

"God willing, I will be back next year," he said in a statement released by the team. "Naturally, there will come a time when I have to say goodbye, but I've soul-searched and this is not the time."

Scully’s return was announced during Tuesday’s Dodgers game against the Atlanta Braves, in a video message featuring players Hyun-Jin Ryu, Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner.

The news was greeted with loud cheers and a prolonged standing ovation for Scully, who stood and waved to fans from his booth. His wife, Sandra, was also on hand, and the two hugged.

PHOTO: Broadcaster Vin Scully, left, embraces his wife, Sandra, after his 2015 return was announced, July 29, 2014, in Los Angeles.
Broadcaster Vin Scully, left, embraces his wife, Sandra, after his 2015 return was announced, July 29, 2014, in Los Angeles.

“Boy, it’s tough to get over that,” Scully said after settling back behind the microphone.

“All I can say is thank God, and please God, for another year.”

Scully's consecutive years of service make him the longest-tenured broadcaster with one team in sports history.

So much has changed in those six decades, from social issues and popular culture to technological advancements. But Scully has endured, a steady, soothing voice for generations of baseball fans. When Scully began broadcasting Dodgers games in 1950:

1. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles following the 1957 season, and Scully accompanied the team west.

2. Jackie Robinson was three years removed from breaking baseball’s color barrier.

3. Baseball legends Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays hadn’t debuted in the majors. That would occur in 1951.

4. Joe Paterno was months away from making his coaching debut at Penn State. Paterno served as the team’s assistant coach until 1965 and head coach from 1966 until 2011.

5. Harry S. Truman was president.

PHOTO: Harry S. Truman is pictured at the wheel of his 1945 de luxe two-door Ford sedan, a present from Henry Ford in August, 1945.
Harry S. Truman is pictured at the wheel of his 1945 de luxe two-door Ford sedan, a present from Henry Ford in August, 1945.

6. Current President Barack Obama wasn’t alive.

7. Twelve different U.S. presidents have served during Scully’s tenure broadcasting with the Dodgers.

8. Twenty-four current members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame hadn’t been born:

  1. George Brett
  2. Robin Yount
  3. Kirby Puckett
  4. Dave Winfield
  5. Ozzie Smith
  6. Gary Carter
  7. Eddie Murray
  8. Dennis Eckersley
  9. Paul Molitor
  10. Wade Boggs
  11. Ryne Sandberg
  12. Bruce Sutter
  13. Tony Gwynn
  14. Cal Ripken, Jr.
  15. Rich “Goose” Gossage
  16. Rickey Henderson
  17. Jim Rice
  18. Andre Dawson
  19. Roberto Alomar
  20. Bert Blyleven
  21. Barry Larkin
  22. Tom Glavine
  23. Greg Maddux
  24. Frank Thomas

PHOTO: National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Greg Maddux speaks during an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center, July 27, 2014, in Cooperstown, N.Y.
National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Greg Maddux speaks during an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center, July 27, 2014, in Cooperstown, N.Y.

9. Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was still alive. So was Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin, impressionist painter Henri Matisse and physicist Albert Einstein.

10. Transcontinental television broadcasts were one year away.

11. The most popular song in the country was “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake,” by Eileen Barton.

12. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jim Konstanty was the National League’s Most Valuable Player that season.

13. Twelve Major League Baseball teams had yet to integrate -- with the last of those teams, the Boston Red Sox, integrating in 1959.

14. Crooner Tony Bennett hadn’t recorded his first major hit song.

PHOTO: Tony Bennett, right, and Lady Gaga attend a concert taping, July 28, 2014, in New York.
Tony Bennett, right, and Lady Gaga attend a concert taping, July 28, 2014, in New York.

15. The animated film “Cinderella” was in movie theaters.

16. Postage stamps cost 3 cents.

17. The fast food chain McDonald's didn't exist.

PHOTO: Customers have a meal at a McDonald's restaurant in Tokyo, July 22, 2014.
Customers have a meal at a McDonald's restaurant in Tokyo, July 22, 2014.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.