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‘His Legacy Lives On’ – Emotional Billie Jean King Remembers MLB Bigwig’s Tragic Demise on 74th Anniversary of His Debut

Published 04/18/2024, 3:55 PM EDT

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April 18th marks a significant moment in sports history every year. On this day, the sporting industry is celebrating the 74th anniversary of Vin Scully’s first game as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. And his longtime admirer, Billie Jean King, took the opportunity to pay tribute to the man whose voice came to represent summer afternoons in many households for over six decades.

King cherished memories of Scully and shared a heartfelt caption along with a picture of them together. “April 18, 1950, is a date that will forever be a part of @Dodgers history,” the tweet began, reminiscing about the historic occasion when Scully appeared on television for the first time as a Dodgers broadcaster.

Ironically, the Dodgers lost the game to the Phillies that day, despite boasting the talent of Jackie Robinson. But it was an iconic beginning for Vin Scully. “On this day, @TheVinScully called his first Dodgers game,” King further added, paying homage to the legend’s remarkable career.

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Billie Jean King also added that during the 67 years of Scully’s career, he became the professional sports industry’s longest-serving announcer with a single team. “Vin passed away in August 2022, but his legacy lives on,” she concluded her tweet with an emotional statement.

Today the Dodgers are known for Japanese powerhouses Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as well as the veteran bats of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. But Scully is from an era when the Dodgers weren’t even based in Hollywood, but on the East Coast in Brooklyn!

The athletic world remains a witness to both their contributions to the sporting community because in their respective industries, Scully and King were pioneers who surmounted barriers. Scully’s affinity for fans and King’s support of women’s rights and her demand for equal tennis prize money transformed the game’s history.

This is not the first time that King has reflected on the legend’s impact on the industry. Two years ago, when he died, Billie Jean King paid a special tribute to Scully.

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“Voice of the @Dodgers has died,” wrote Billie Jean King after Vin Scully’s demise

At the age of 94, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Vin Scully passed away in August 2022. He left behind a legacy that went beyond sports. An acknowledgment from Billie Jean King was one of the numerous tributes that flooded in to honor his memory. “Vin Scully, voice of the @Dodgers, has died. He was a true sports storyteller, & his #Dodgers career lasted 67 years, the longest tenure of any broadcaster w/a single team in pro sports history,” she wrote on X.

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Further adding to it, she wrote, “Our deepest condolences to his family. Rest easy, @TheVinScully. You will be missed.” In this year of Scully’s historic debut, Billie Jean King once again honored his friend through her post. Her admiration for the broadcasting legend’s incredible impact on the sporting community is a testament to her respect for Vin Scully.

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Written by:

Ankita Banerjee

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Ankita Banerjee is a Tennis writer at EssentiallySports. She seamlessly blends her keen interest in writing with an ability to analytically comprehend things. During her college days, she contributed numerous articles to the college magazine, showcasing her early passion.
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Edited by:

Arunima Bhanot