Editor’s Note: (We posted a link to this piece last Friday, but we’re told that some people had trouble accessing, so decided to repost at in full at Fastpitch West. Enjoy.)
Like many of you, we are following the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Being that we are here in So Cal, you’ll have to excuse a little extra coverage of the Dodgers. Today, we share some of the Freddie Freeman home run videos, and a piece about the lead play-by-play broadcaster for the World Series, Joe Davis.
Joe Davis Shines in Baseball’s Most Storied Booth
Joe Davis has masterfully stepped into what many considered impossible shoes to fill as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, taking over from the legendary Vin Scully in 2017. What sets Davis apart is his authenticity and wisdom in handling this transition. He’s been refreshingly candid about not trying to be “the next Vin Scully” – a task he acknowledges would be both impossible and unwise. Instead, Davis has carved out his own style while still paying respectful homage to Scully’s legacy through thoughtfully placed references that Dodger fans cherish. His call of Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series perfectly exemplifies this approach: by echoing Scully’s famous “she is gone” from Kirk Gibson’s 1988 heroics, then adding his own personal touch with “Gibby meet Freddie,” Davis demonstrated exactly how to honor tradition while creating new memories with his own distinctive voice.
The ultimate test for any hometown broadcaster comes during postseason play, particularly the World Series, when they must navigate the delicate balance between their regular role as a team’s primary voice and the need for objective coverage.
Davis has shown remarkable skill in threading this needle, maintaining his engaging style while ensuring fair and balanced coverage that respects both teams’ narratives and fan bases. His ability to modulate his enthusiasm appropriately – celebrating the moments without showing favoritism – has earned him respect throughout the baseball world. This skill becomes particularly crucial in a matchup as historically significant as Dodgers-Yankees, where both teams have deeply passionate fan bases and rich histories.
Davis has established himself as one of baseball’s premier broadcasters not by trying to replicate his predecessor, but by bringing his own fresh perspective while honoring the tradition he inherited. His work during high-stakes games demonstrates why he’s become such a respected voice in baseball broadcasting.
Gibby, Meet Freddie !
Editor’s Note:
Back in January 2018, just a few miles up the road from Dodger Stadium, at the South Pasadena Library, I had the privilege of meeting Joe Davis. In this intimate community setting, Davis was beginning his journey as the Dodgers’ broadcaster. What struck me that evening, as he spoke to our group, was his clear-eyed understanding of the challenge ahead – stepping into Vin Scully’s booth while remaining authentically Joe Davis.
Joe was generous with his time that night, sticking around after speaking to meet and greet those who came to listen. As the last person in line that night, I had a moment to observe how Joe genuinely connected with each fan – not just signing autographs, but engaging in real conversations. That authentic ability to connect with people, I’ve noticed, translates perfectly to his broadcasting style, where he makes every listener feel like part of the Dodger family while respecting the game’s broader audience. My souvenir from that night, below.
I was in Las Vegas that October night in 1988 when Kirk Gibson hit his walk-off home run in Game 1 of the World Series against Dennis Eckersly and the Oakland A’s. It’s been a long time, some 36 years, but Los Angeles got another memory of a lifetime, courtesy of Freddie Freeman. When Gibson hits his in ’88, the next day, there was a “comparison video” to Robert Redford’s home run in the fictional move, “The Natural”. They say life imitates art. This time, it was life imitating life. X is full of great videos today, enjoy.
Vin Scully Version
From MLB website
The parallels between Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series and Kirk Gibson’s walk-off two-run homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series are uncanny.