Vin Scully rails against socialism during Dodgers broadcast

[Reter]

As expected, we’ve gotten all kinds of quirky on-air and video moments from Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play man Vin Scully before he retires — reading a grocery list, a long take on why the number 13 isn’t unlucky and a great explanation of “GOAT.”

Here’s one more to add to the list: Scully ranting on socialism:

“Socialism failing to work, as it always does, this time in Venezuela. You talk about giving everybody something free and all of a sudden, there’s no food to eat. And who do you think is the richest person in Venezuela? The daughter of Hugo Chavez. Hello! Anyway, 0-and-2.”

There isn’t much context here, but it appears watching Milwaukee Brewers infielder Hernan Perez — a Venezuela native — at the plate was what got Scully on the topic.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/06/vin-scully-dodgers-socialism-rant-video

Crazy that politics comes up during a game. It's not the place.

[Auggie]

1. Over-the-top for a baseball game. He should know that better than anyone.

Huge mistake on his part.

[philosslayer]

10. He's 88 (i think)

He's been the Dodgers announcer since the early 50's. He's retiring this year. Explain to me why this is a mistake and what the fallout could be.

[Auggie]

23. Sports announcers should never, EVER discuss politics or espouse political ideology

during the broadcast of a game. That is not their area of expertise or is it part of their job description. They can report on, sometimes discuss, news or events of political nature but only if it's related directly to sports.

Old Vin screwed-up. Very unprofessional. I think a lot less of him.

[tabasco]

2. Isn't he like 200 years old now?

Time to retire his dumb ass.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. What's with the overt ageism?

[Warpy]

5. Most people will need to retire at some point

I did when my body finally fell apart for keeps.

The guy in the OP probably needs to because it sounds like he's disinhibited, if not demented.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

9. I'll wait for tabasco to answer.

What I read was overt ageism, and I don't even know Vin Scully from Adam.

[LeftyMom]

11. He's 88. He started working for the Dodgers when they were still in Brooklyn.

It's not ageism to point out that somebody who grew up during the depression is maybe a little bit out of touch.

Ageism would be speculating that he has dementia, when it's perfectly likely that he just has stupid opinions.

[former9thward]

20. Not stupid at all.

Stupid would be thinking he was not correct.

[former9thward]

19. Ahh no, he is correct.

[Stellar]

6. Vin and Vince Scully...are they the same person?

If it is the same person, I haven't heard from Vince Scully in many, many years, I thought he was deceased.

[Travis_0004]

7. Same person

His first name is Vincent, but most people call him Vin.

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. Anyone who would say that has NO understanding of baseball as a sport.

And who IS the richest person in Venezuela?

Who IS the Richest Person in Venezuela?

WHO is the Richest Person in Venezuela?

Who is the RICHEST Person in Venezuela?

Who is the richest PERSON in Venezuela?

Who is the richest person in VENEZUELA?

This person has been asked by HIS EMPLOYER to return again and again and again and again and again and again ad infinitum. Could you say that about yourself?

[tabasco]

25. LOL.

Whatever you say, chief. Venezuela? Who fucking cares? Not me. What I care about is dumbass sportscasters thinking anybody wants to hear their dumbass political opinions while listening to a baseball game.

[Iggo]

3. Far as I'm concerned he retired two-and-a-half years ago when the Dodgers went off the air.

[arcane1]

8. "Venezuela" became a talking point almost overnight, everywhere.

The lie they are trying to sell is this: There are only two choices. We can do everything exactly the way we are doing them now, with no change, or we can be "Venezuela".

Don't fall for it. Don't promote it either.

[ronnie624]

21. The problems with socialism are purely psychological.

It doesn't appeal to our sense of greed (which is really an exaggerated need for security), and that is compounded by a lifetime of exposure to propaganda. People have been hoodwinked into believing that freedom and happiness means having more than one needs for a comfortable, secure existence.

[longship]

12. Time for retirement and embalmment.

The last, best sportscaster in baseball was Ernie Harwell, or maybe Red Barber.

Here's Ernie in 1968 (with Ray Lane, his mate in the broadcast booth):

And here's the Jack Morris no-hitter called by Ernie:

Fuck Vin Scully.

[redstateblues]

13. I hate the Dodgers. I'm still pissed that Al Michaels trashed Kerry on MNF

Don't like him at all. Politics has no place in sports

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. I'm wondering what the fuck Al Michaels has to do with the Dodgers?

[redstateblues]

16. Nothing really except I don't want to hear any politics when I'm watching sports

I raised hell with ESPN when they tried to put Rush Limpballs on the MNF pre game.

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. Did you raise the same hell when Monday Night Football became something only a few could watch?

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Who IS the richest person person in Venezuela? Should it be Hugo's daughter?

If it is, how did she earn her money? What business did she start?

I guess if she is... we can certainly say "YOU didn't build that", huh?

[Initech]

22. He had an incredibly bizarre rant about the history of beards the other day.

[hughee99]

24. It seems to me like many people are okay mixing politics and sports, as long as it's an issue they

agree with. If Scully had gone off about the importance of raising the minimum wage or implementing a single payer health care system, I'll bet this discussion would look very different.

[villager]

26. Go Giants!

[muntrv]

27. Get off the roads, Vin!