Bittersweet Kernan column on The Scooter

That was a wonderful column. I grew up with the Scooter announcing games on WPIX and I really miss him. I'm sure I would have loved him as a player. He has a joyousness about him that is infectious. I know he was a homer as an announcer, but he was always (to me, I know others don't agree) way more innocuous and loveable than other homers, such as Ron Santo. Years ago the Village Voice used to run a column called "The Poetry of Phil Rizzuto" or something like that. They'd just transcribe play-by-play from actual games and run it as a column. It was pretty funny. Anyhow, in his honor, here's a a few moments from a typical Bill White/ Scooter inning:

Scooter: You know White, there's a full moon out tonight and the Yankees always win when there's a full moon out.
White: Is that so, Scooter?
Scooter: Holy cow, base hit by Nettles. That extends the hitting streak to four games! (pause) That's right, White. (another pause) Did I tell you about my round of golf yesterday?
White: No, you didn't Scooter.
Scooter: Well, I shot a hole in one!
White: I don't believe you, Scooter. I've seen you swing a golf club. Nuh uh. Didn't happen. (meanwhile, Reggie Jackson hits a single, Nettles goes to third. No one says a thing)
Scooter: It's the truth, White! I tell ya, it was a short par 3 and I hit a perfect five iron. It was me, Yogi and my good friend Armando the Barber from Hackensack. Best haircuts in New Jersey and the son of a gun only charges $5!
White: Next time tell him to take a little more off the sides, Scooter. It's looking a little bushy. (White's voice goes up two octaves) And that ball is into the gap! Nettles scores! Here comes Jackson! There will be no play at the plate. And Sweet Lou goes into second standing up.
Scooter: Holy cow, that Piniella is a heck of a hitter. I told you the Yankees always win when there's a full moon out, White!
White: Yes you did, Scooter.
Scooter: (pause) You know the best part of the hole in one, White?
White: Tell me, Scooter.
Scooter: We went for canolis afterward. And Yogi treated. That cheap son of a gun hasn't picked up a check since 1962. I need to hit a hole in one more often!
White: (belly laughing) You're too much, Scooter. (meanwhile, Roy White walks on four pitches. No one says a thing.)
Scooter: And while we have a minute, I'd like to wish a happy birthday to Edna McCloskey from Hoboken. She's 83 years young today and she's a big Ron Guidry fan. Boy that Gator is something.
White: He sure is, Scooter.