Scully the star of Dodgers' home opener

April 12th, 2016

LOS ANGELES -- Like the last 65 years of Dodgers history, Tuesday's home opener ceremonies heavily featured the immortal voice of Vin Scully, who will retire after this season and had the street outside Dodger Stadium named for him on Monday.
Narrated by Brooklyn native Al Michaels, a cavalcade of Dodgers greats were introduced with Scully's call of the team's greatest moments behind them, from Don Newcombe and his 1950 Opening Day start in Scully's first year announcing the team, to Clayton Kershaw and his 2014 no-hitter.
Between them came World Series champions, Sandy Koufax's perfect game, Rick Monday's greatest catch of the American flag, and so many more. Kirk Gibson, seen in a Dodgers uniform again via videotape, described how lucky he was to have Scully call his famous home run in the 1988 World Series and the rest of his career with the team.

Hank Aaron, whose 715th home run came against the Dodgers with Scully on the call, recorded a video message honoring and thanking the 88-year-old broadcaster.

Scully made his way to the field, escorted by former and current Dodgers owners Peter O'Malley and Magic Johnson. Standing at home plate, Scully was met with the crowd's loudest cheer, and a ball autographed by every man who was introduced was passed from Newcombe on the mound to Scully. Michaels threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the game was underway minutes later.

The ceremony came during the final home opener of the 2016 MLB season, as the Dodgers welcomed the D-backs following a seven-game road trip to open the season. All Dodgers starters were greeted with fireworks, as the entirety of both teams took their standard places along the foul lines. Sam Harris, the lead singer of the X Ambassadors, sang the national anthem, with a flag unfurled by members of the military covering nearly the entire outfield.

Before the game, played at a sold-out Dodger Stadium, the club announced it had sold a record 3.1 million tickets for the season.