The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a proposal Friday to rename Elysian Park Avenue from Sunset Blvd. to Stadium Way “Vin Scully Avenue.”
Councilman Gilbert Cedillo, who introduced the motion Tuesday, said that the name change could become official in 30 days, per city law.
“We have a community outreach requirement,” Cedillo said. “We’ll start today to see if the neighbors have input.”
There are only about 20 residential structures on the block, Cedillo said, and residents supported the change in an informal canvas before the councilman formally introduced the motion.
After a brief discussion, including some colorful remarks by residents, the motion passed swiftly by a 12-0 vote.
Several current Dodger players attended the council session: Austin Barnes, Yasmani Grandal, Zach Lee, Adam Liberatore, Trayce Thompson, Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Frias, Pedro Baez, Scott Van Slyke, Jharel Cotton, Yimi Garcia, Chris Hatcher, Ross Stripling, Micah Johnson and Frankie Montas.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attended and expressed his support for the name change to the council. Retired Dodgers Orel Hershiser, Maury Wills, Eric Karros and Ron Cey were also present.
Scully did not attend the session, but he released the following statement through the team:
“I am overwhelmed. I was raised in the streets of New York and to have a street named after me in Los Angeles is almost too much to comprehend. I am eternally grateful to the Los Angeles City Council and especially Councilman Gil Cedillo. A path to Dodger Stadium is a path way to my heart. For 55 years it has been an honor to walk that road to one of the greatest entertainment centers in the world, a place that has brought so much joy to all of us. I thank God for this great honor.”
View a photo gallery of Vin Scully through the years here.
Here’s what councilman Joe Buscaino said after the vote:
And here’s what Roberts said immediately afterward: