Scully remembers Markas

One of the more recent highlights in Rory Markas' career didn't happen at a baseball stadium or a basketball arena.

In February, 2007, Markas did the presentation speech for Vin Scully at Radio TV News Association's annual Golden Mike Awards. The group was giving Scully a lifetime achievement award.

"It's so terribly sad (to hear the news)," Scully said today from his home in Hidden Hills, talking about the passing today of Markas, the Angels and USC basketball play-by-play man, at age 54.

Scully remembered a year ago when Markas was sideined with a blood clot in his brain that required emergency surgery, and "I called him to try to encourage him, and really, he was the kind of fellow who didn't need encouraging. He was so full of life and a real sweetheart of a guy. Once he got through that, I was thrilled for him.

"He'd been doing such a great job with the Angels. I'm sure he'll be terribly missed."

As for the Golden Mike ceremony two years ago, Scully said he remembered that Markas was "more than generous and I was very touched. It was so typical of him to be so warm and giving. That's the way I'll always think of him."