Book Birthdays celebrate one year of a book’s life in social media posts, reviews, and more. This month we’re saying Happy First Book Birthday to Perfect Eloquence: An Appreciation of Vin Scully (Nebraska, 2024) edited by Tom Hoffarth.
About the Book:
When Vin Scully passed away in 2022, the city of Los Angeles lost its soundtrack. If you were able to deliver a eulogy for him, what might it include? What impact did he have on you? What do you carry forward from his legacy? Sixty-seven essayists—one representing each season of his career calling games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1950 through 2016—reflect on the ways his professional and private life influenced them. The contributions include a range of stories and remembrances from those who knew and followed him. The consensus of the contributions is that Scully’s actions spoke louder than his well-recognized words.
A word from the Editor:
It is coming up on three years since Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully passed away in August of 2022, and in the year since my book, Perfect Eloquence, came out, focusing on an appreciation of his life, there have been more things to appreciate.
Some are directly connected to the inspirational reflections on the recent passing of Pope Francis.
On page 44 of Perfect Eloquence, Vin holds a framed portrait of Pope Francis, given to him by two priests after they presided over a Catholic Mass at Dodger Stadium hours before Vin would call his final Dodgers home game in September of 2016. I was fortunate to take that photo. Here is another version of that moment.
As journalist Brian Golden wrote in his essay for the book, the portrait sat next to Vin’s wife, Sandi, in the broadcast booth behind Vin that afternoon.
As the Dodgers trailed Colorado 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Sandi turned to the papal portrait and said: “Holy Father, you don’t want God’s devout servant to go home disappointed on his last day, do you? Could you please bless . . .” The Dodgers’ Corey Seager hit a game-tying home run before she could sheepishly finish.
In the 10th inning with the game tied, Sandi went back to the portrait: “Oh, what the heck, I promised I’ll never ask again. Could you please bless Vin once more?” Two pitches later, the Dodgers’ Charlie Culberson ended it with a game-winning, walk-off homer, which clinched the Dodgers’ NL West title.
Not long later, Culberson asked Vin to sign the bat he used for that homer. Vin inscribed it: “GOD BLESS CHARLIE” and signed his name.
Golden also explained how shortly after Vin retired, the Catholic Athletes for Christ asked him to record a CD of the Catholic Rosary. Vin didn’t feel worthy. But he was convinced it would help a lot of people.
A copy of it made its way to Pope Francis, who sent a letter to Vin thanking him. He even said the project enhanced his fledgling understanding of English.
Pope Francis and Vin Scully preached character, compassion, and kindness. They used words when necessary.
In a review of Perfect Eloquence for the National Catholic Reporter, John W. Miller noted: “Scully’s friends tell stories of virtue and good habits befitting a saint.”
Pope Francis, upon canonizing 10 new saints in May of 2022, said: “Holiness does not consist of a few heroic gestures, but of many small acts of daily love.”
Ned Colletti, the former Dodgers general manager who also did an essay for Perfect Eloquence, attended Scully’s funeral at St. Jude the Apostle in Westlake Village and put out a social media post of the program with the honest words: “Vin Scully—He showed us every day what true goodness looks like.”
We are thankful Perfect Eloquence can show those examples and keep Vin’s presence alive.
Reviews:
“A wonderful and long-overdue tribute to a man whom many consider the best sports broadcaster who ever lived.”—Steve Dixon, Library Journal, starred review
“[Perfect Eloquence] is constructed of individual essays penned by 67 peers that Scully impacted. And because of that, it’s overflowing with warmth, appreciation, and admiration for one of baseball’s most iconic voices.”—Jeff Scott, Sports Illustrated
“This is the Vin Scully book you’ve been waiting for. Tom Hoffarth’s creativity and deft touch, the ringing of old and new voices, and the return of comforting memories team up for an unforgettable journey. Turn the pages and feel the spirit of the game. Of the Dodgers. And of Vin.”—Tim Brown, New York Times best-selling coauthor of The Phenomenon
“With his mellifluous voice, razor-sharp analysis, and expert storytelling, Vin Scully became the singular voice of the Dodgers for generations of fans. His talent and class were cherished, and he is dearly missed. This book reminds us of all that—and keeps his voice always in our ears and his spirit in our Dodgers-blue hearts.”—Annette Bening, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award–nominated actress
“Hoffarth offers some wonderful perspective in a fine collection of essays.”—Bob D’Angelo, The Sports Bookie
“Hoffrath deserves a lot of praise for being able to not only collect all these wonderful stories, but also weave them together in a great book that does justice to one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time.”—Guy Who Reviews Sports Books
“Perfect Eloquence is a thumbs up sign for all the Dodger fans who still miss his voice and smile.”—Dennis McCarthy, Los Angeles Daily News
“In Perfect Eloquence, journalist Tom Hoffarth has assembled an entertaining, detailed and assuming history of Scully’s long, charmed life in the form of 67 essays by people who knew him.”—John W. Miller, National Catholic Reporter
Interviews:
ESPN
MLB Hot Stove
FOX 11 Los Angeles
Ross Porter Sports Videos
Speaking of Writers
Sports Lit 101
The Break it Down Show
Good Seats Still Available
The Joe Beaver Show
On Social Media:
One of my fav stories from @TomHoffarth’s @TheVinScully book Perfect Eloquence. @stevedilbeck submits a tale about @Dodgers Mgr Tommy Lasorda convincing Scully to see the game from the dugout. So Scully is set up in. Dodger uniform. Vin pulls his hat low to maintain a low… pic.twitter.com/rV9QsYndl9
— Pete Turner (@PeteATurner) July 4, 2024
Did you like Vin Scully? More likely, you loved Vin Scully. Tonight at Vroman's, Tom Hoffarth, Patt Morrison and I will discuss "Perfect Eloquence," the new appreciation of the legendary announcer. 7 pm. Free. pic.twitter.com/vHaQvnd58R
— Chris Erskine (@erskinetimes) May 20, 2024
Our newest episode: "Remembering" #ladodgers broadcasting legend Vin Scully with friend/author of “Perfect Eloquence: An Appreciation of Vin Scully” Tom Hoffarth and host @JeffSammut. Listen on https://t.co/8MsFOdqQLB & your favourite podcast platform. #Remembering pic.twitter.com/aJtenz2Qdt
— Rememberingpodcast (@Remembering_pod) February 24, 2025
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