The Mighty VIN

It would have been enough just to be present for Vin Scully's last official game.

A moment so majestic I didn't even mind my heat stroke... or how much money we spent on beer and futuristic ice cream products.

It would have been enough to witness a game-tying homerun...

Or a walk-off homer in extra innings...

Note - I thought I'd already been in attendance for the most exciting NL West Clinching moment possible.

Man, I was wrong.

It would have even been enough just to see a game with the family on a Sunday in LA.

Put it all together... and it truly was...

Animal helps lead the Dodgers multiple comebacks.

A much-deserved victory lap!

Tipping their caps to the Mighty Vin.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any more emotional, Vin plays a serenade to his wife... the "Wind Beneath (His) Wings"

Easily putting the Better Midler / Krusty duet to shame!

A game all in attendance will never forget... dedicated to a man this city will always remember. Thank you, Mr. Scully

"Shame on us if you ever have to pay for another meal in public." - Crash Davis / The Mariner

Goodnight Funny Man

In Colorado, Steve Finley is politely shown the curb.

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies designated outfielder Steve Finley for assignment and called up Sean Barker from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The club said Barker, also an outfielder, could play Tuesday night when the Rockies play the Houston Astros at Coors Field.

Finley, 42, hit .181 with one home run and two RBIs in 43 games. He is a two-time All-Star (1997 and 2000) and five-time Gold Glove Award winner (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004). He was the oldest player in Rockies history. The club has 10 days to trade, release or outright Finley to the minors. Barker, 27, hit .333 with five home runs for Colorado Springs. The Rockies chose him in the sixth round in 2002.

Even if his average is making Juan Pierre look like Rod Carew, Finley will always hold a special place in the heart of Dodger nation for his walk off grand slam to clinch the NL West. I've seen some great live moments in sports - Reggie Bush's physics defying TD run against Fresno St, Endy Chavez's catch in Game 7 of the NLCS, Bruno Sammartino beating Paul Orndorf in a cage match - but few hold a candle to watching Finley's long fly ball just barely make it over the fence.

Congratulations, Steve Finley

Last month we chronicled Steve Finley's pentafecta quest.

Now, via 6-4-2, comes the result:

The Rockies purchased the contract of Steve Finley; he'll now have appeared in the roster of every NL West team, despite a spring in which he hit .255/.286/.383.

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the first-ever Mr. NL West:

Steve Finley Is a Diplomatic Fellow

Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com profiles Steve Finley and his quest to play for all five NL West teams. Finley manages to get in some good words for every team he's played for, including:

Best individual memory: The Wayne Franklin encounter

Finley's grand slam off San Francisco's Wayne Franklin capped a seven-run ninth inning to clinch the NL West title for the Dodgers on the final weekend of the 2004 season. Strangely enough, Finley had envisioned hitting a walk-off homer to win the division title two weeks earlier.

"I wanted that moment so bad," he said. "I was on deck, and I told myself, 'You hardly get any opportunities in your career like this, so enjoy this moment.' On the replay, you'll see that I don't even look at the pitcher or the catcher. I walked to the plate looking at the crowd all around. I knew I was going to get the job done. There was no doubt in my mind."

Finley lists Dodger Stadium and Chase Field née Bank One Ballpark as his favorite stadiums to hit in, and Los Angeles wins the "worst traffic" crown. A real shocker, that.

Steve Finley Takes First Step Toward NL West Pentafecta

From "Finley will try to win job with Rockies" at SI.com:

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- The Colorado Rockies signed veteran outfielder Steve Finley to a minor league contract on Saturday.

Finely is a non-roster invitee at the club's spring training camp.

Finley, who turns 42 next month, has played 18 Major League seasons. He hit .246 last year with the San Francisco Giants, including six home runs and 40 RBIs. He's a career .272 hitter with 303 home runs and 320 career stolen bases, one of only six players ever with 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases.

In his career, Finley has played with Baltimore, Houston, San Diego, Arizona, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Francisco, making the Rockies the lone National League West team he hasn't played for at some time.

Finley has hit .314 at Coors Field.

Good luck, Fins! I wonder if anyone else has already accomplished playing for all five NL West teams.

UPDATE: Jon from Dodger Thoughts is way ahead of us....It appears the race is on between Finley and Matt Herges.