Vin Scully has made so many great calls that it's tough to narrow down a list of his best. His Forrest Gump-like ability to be in the right place at the right time to witness history only complicates the matter.
But here are 15 of his best calls, from big games and not-so-big games, historic moments and forgotten quirks.
MORE: Classic photos of Vin Scully
Some you know well. Others you've probably never heard or long forgotten. All you will love. Enjoy, in whatever order you choose.
Hank Aaron hits No. 715 (1974)
Why you need to hear it: Well, duh. ... But seriously, listen to how Scully just calls the moment, then lets the crowd roar for a long time. Perhaps his most underrated call ever.
Kirk Gibson's World Series homer (1988)
Why you need to hear it: Scully, calling Game 1 of the 1988 World Series for NBC, is clearly excited at the momentous turn of events. But even then, he makes the call and again goes quiet to let the moment speak for itself.
Twins World Series walk-off (1991)
Why you need to hear it: Scully paints a clear picture of the tension for listeners on CBS radio. Adding fine details like the "bounce" of Gene Larkin's hit at precisely the moment it makes contact with the turf only boosts the quality. Plus, there's a euphoric but simplistic purtity in his proclaimation that "the Minnesota Twins are the champions of the world."
Jack Howell's broken bat home run (1987)
Why you need to hear it: Listen to the genuine awe in Scully's voice. "That's the first broken bat home run I've ever seen!" If something happens in a baseball game that Vin Scully has never seen, it's clearly a big deal.
Mets win Game 6 (1986)
Why you need to hear it: Though a well-known call, you have to put it in context to appreciate it: What was already a crazy game goes completely insane, catching even Scully by surprise. Again, though, he just makes the call and then stops talking.
Don Larsen's World Series perfecto (1956)
Why you need to hear it: It's perhaps the greatest game ever pitched, considering the circumstances. Don't you want to know how Scully called it?
Sandy Koufax is perfect (1965)
Why you need to hear it: The entire ninth inning is the blueprint for how to describe history: The details, the time on the clock, the nuance. He's painting word pictures.
Joe Carter walks off for championship (1993)
Why you need to hear it: Only two World Series have ended on a walk-off homer, and Scully called one of them. Plus, there's a good chance you didn't even know this existed.
Braves win World Series (1995)
Why you need to hear it: Only one person in history has exclaimed "the Atlanta Braves are the champions of the world" on a live game broadcast (sorry, Braves fans). Naturally, it was Scully. That's just how these things go.
Jack Clark's crushing NLCS homer (1985)
Why you need to hear it: Despite announcing for the Dodgers, Scully has never been a homer. He just calls the action, letting the natural emotions of the game dictate the emotions behind his calls. That's just how he called Jack Clark's homer in Game 6 the 1985 NLCS that put the Cardinals ahead and effectively ended the Dodgers' chances at the pennant.
R.J. Reynolds' game-winning squeeze (1983)
Why you need to hear it: Though a relatively big moment in Dodgers history, this play isn't famous at all among other fan bases. Except for maybe old-school Braves fans, who will probably still feel a dagger in their chest when they watch this. But listen to Scully's surprise and delight in Scully's voice when the Dodgers pull off a walk-off squeeze. "The squeeze!"
Silence is golden (1984)
Why you need to hear it: As we've established, Scully never tries to make the moment about himself. In 1984, as the Tigers prepared to win the World Series, he opted for complete silence.
All-Star grand slam (1983)
Why you need to hear it: There's been one grand slam in the history of the MLB All-Star Game. Scully called it off the bat of Fred Lynn.
'The Catch' (1982)
Why you need to hear it: Younger fans might not realize that Scully used to call more than baseball. But given his legendary career, it's fitting that he should call one of the more famous plays in NFL history: when Joe Montana found Dwight Clark in the end zone in the 1982 NFL Championship Game. Watch it here (embedding is disabled).
Bumgarner vs. Puig, again (2016)
Why you need to hear it: Nobody narrates a baseball skirmish like Scully, and his re-creation of this particular dust-up is worthy of repeat viewings.
