Scully prepared to pass torch entering final season

Vin Scully believes going out on his own terms is at the utmost importance.

The Hall of Fame broadcaster will step behind the microphone for a 67th and final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, and after announcing his impending plans to retire last August, the soon-to-be 88-year-old has yet to have a change of heart.

"I really can't see that I would come back," Scully told Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. "Sooner or later, you have to be realistic. I've done it for a long, long time. I've done reasonably well at it. But I don't want to stay on any longer than I feel I should.

"Which makes it a very tough decision, but I really do feel it would be time for me to walk away rather than have somebody say, 'Gee, you know, you're not the same. You're not quite this, you're not quite that.' I don't want that. So I think if I can get through next year doing reasonably well, it would be time then to walk away."

Scully underwent a unspecified medical procedure in October that prevented him from calling the Dodgers' postseason series, but said in the weeks following that he's healthy, and looking forward to getting his final season started.

After spending the majority of his life in the broadcast booth, Scully admitted that there is some trepidation that comes with retiring, though he acknowledged a strong support system will be the key to keeping him occupied once he leaves baseball.

"If I stop to think about it - I'll be very honest - I'm somewhat scared to death," Scully said. "When you've run the same motor for all these years and suddenly turn it off, I know there will be a deafening silence. But I'll just have to be fortunate having had a wonderful marriage. I'll spend more time with Sandi, and God willing, with family and smell the roses.

Scully added: "Whether it's Thanksgiving dinner or broadcasting a ballgame, eventually the torch has to be passed."