Vin Scully says 2016 is likely his final year calling Dodgers games

LOS ANGELES -- Vin Scully addressed the media on Saturday for the first time since the announcement on Friday that the legendary broadcaster would return for a record 67th year in 2016. Though nothing is definitive just yet, Scully indicated that next year would be his last behind the microphone.

"I would say realistically, and I don't want any headlines, but I would say realistically that next year would be the last year," Scully said. "How long can you go on fooling people? I would say, 'Dear God, if you give me next year, I'll hang it up."

Next year will be the 133rd year of Dodgers baseball, which began in the American Association in 1884. That means Scully will have been calling Dodgers games for over half of the franchise's existence (hat tip to Jon Weisman for that observation on Friday).

Scully was very matter-of-fact with his answers on Saturday, at piece with his decision while at the same time acknowledging that, like baseball players, he is really just day-to-day.

He said he was in good health, and acknowledged that retirement scares him. Scully's doctor told him, "If you retire, you'll be an old man within a year."

Scully said the Dodgers winning the World Series this year or next wouldn't change his decision one way or another.

"What the team does on the field will have absolutely no affect on my life decision," Scully said.. "I'd be happy for them, but it really would not change my life in any way, shape or form."

Humble to his core, Scully said he could easily be replaced.

"I saw Mel Allen leave the Yankees, I saw Red Barber leave the Dodgers, I saw Russ Hodges leave the Giants, I saw Harry Caray leave the Cubs, and I saw Jack Buck leave the Cardinals. And you know what? Not one of those teams missed a game. They kept on playing, and the fans kept on going," Scully said. "I know I can be replaced. They've all come and gone, and I'll join that same group."

Scully described his approach heading into 2016.

"If there's one little bit of poetry I've always remembered, it's that line from Dylan Thomas, 'Don't go gently into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.' I guess in a sense that's what I'm doing," Scully said. "I'm raging against the dying of my career, which has to be around the corner now. But at least for the God-given time I've got left, I'll be raging."