PASADENA, Calif. -- Vin Scully will usher in 2014 as grand marshal of the 125th Rose Parade, an honor the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster initially wasn't sure he would accept.


The more he thought about it, though, the more he warmed up to the idea, calling it "one of those one-in-a-million experiences."


Scully will be joined by his wife, Sandi, for the 5 1/2-mile ride down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on Jan. 1. He was introduced as grand marshal on Thursday at Tournament House.


He told The Associated Press in an interview before the announcement that his first reaction to being chosen was, "Wow."


Then came some doubt.


The intensely private Scully is rarely seen publicly after the Dodgers' season ends, preferring to spend the winter months at home with his wife of nearly 40 years and their extended family.


The prospect of being the center of attention for several hundred thousand parade revelers and a worldwide television audience had Scully thinking carefully. His wife provided some gentle persuasion.


"She kind of pushed him that on behalf of the Dodgers and on behalf of the fans he needed to do this," Tournament of Roses President R. Scott Jenkins told the AP.


"He is such a humble person that I feared he would not want to be out there and get the accolades. He spends the summer applauding our sports heroes. He is our hero and we get to applaud him and his life's work," Jenkins said.



Scully questioned why he would be chosen as grand marshal, an honor that has previously gone to such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Dodgers star Jackie Robinson was posthumously chosen in 1999, and home run king Hank Aaron served in 1975.


"I don't take it as any personal, great accomplishment," he said. "I only take it for what it is, the fact that I've been doing this for so long here and the Dodgers are doing well. It's not me."


That humility, along with Scully's career accomplishments and his integrity, is why Jenkins chose Scully.


"With Vin Scully you do know what you're going to get," he said. "That's why I think he's held in such high esteem."


Jenkins grew up in Los Angeles in the 1960s, and spent his summer nights falling asleep to Scully's dulcet voice over a transistor radio on his pillow.


"I have very fond memories and I'm sure I'm not the only one," he said.


Scully, who turns 86 in November, recently announced he will return to the booth for a record 65th season in 2014. He began his broadcasting career in 1950, when the Dodgers were in Brooklyn. He works alone calling all nine innings of the team's televised games, with the first three innings simulcast on the radio.


The Dodgers lead the National League West standings, and are headed to their first playoff appearance in four years.


Presiding over the floral spectacle as grand marshal will bring Scully full circle. He has fond memories of doing parade commentary for ABC in 1969 with "Bewitched" star Elizabeth Montgomery and he rode on the Dodgers' float in recent years.


He recalled making the turn from the street where the entries are assembled onto Colorado Boulevard.


"It took my breath away because it was a canyon of people on either side," he said. "I've never seen anything quite like that. In the beginning I was really carried away with the sight."


Scully's family includes five living children and 17 grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 22. But they won't be in the parade,


"We'd have to have a float," he said. "That would really inconvenience a lot of people."


As part of his duties, Scully will flip the coin before the 100th Rose Bowl game later that day. He'll also participate in various Tournament of Roses events leading up to the parade that carries the theme "Dreams Come True."


Used to working nights calling baseball, Scully will have to be up extra early on New Year's Day. He will join Jenkins and their wives for a 6:30 a.m. breakfast at Tournament House before lining up for the parade.


Scully joked that if his arm gets tired waving at the crowds for about two hours, "I'll have my wife do it."



Earlier on HuffPost:


Check out photos below from the Rose Parade 2013:

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  • Vanessa Manjarrez, Nicole Nelam, Sonia Shenoi, Madison Teodo, Victoria MacGregor, Tracy Cuesta, Kate Benuska. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)


    The 2013 Rose Queen and Court are seen in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Queen Vanessa Manjarrez is at top center, with princesses, clockwise from top right, Nicole Nelam, Sonia Shenoi, Madison Teodo, Victoria MacGregor, Tracy Cuesta and Kate Benuska. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Jane Goodall


    Jane Goodall, of England, famed for her work with chimpanzees in Africa and for her efforts on behalf of endangered species everywhere, is seen in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • A woman smiles from the float "Wonderful Indonesia" from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies, Republic of Indonesia_the winner of the President’s trophy for the most innovative use and presentation of flowers_ in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Protesters with the Occupy movement carry signs and characters to protest the foreclosure practices of banks including Wells Fargo after the conclusion of the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Dole Dreaming of Paradise float is the winner of the Sweepstakes trophy, for the most beautiful entry, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The "Cycling Through Paradise" float from China Airlines, winner of the International trophy for the most beautiful entry from outside the United States, appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The University of Wisconsin Marching Band performs in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • A woman waves from the "Cycling Through Paradise" float by China Airlines, winner of the International trophy for the most beautiful entry from outside the United States, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Volunteer David Burney from Milwaukee helps put the finishing touches on the RDF TV rose float in Pasadena Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)




  • Workers prepare Honda's "Follow Your Dreams" Rose Parade float, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. The Rose Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




  • The 2013 Rose Queen and Court ride a float in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Queen Vanessa Manjarrez, top center, appears with princesses, clockwise from top right, Nicole Nelam, Sonia Shenoi, Madison Teodo, Victoria MacGregor, Tracy Cuesta and Kate Benuska. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The 2013 Rose Queen Queen Vanessa Manjarrez rides a float in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Dole float "Dreaming of Paradise," winner of the top prize_ the Sweepstakes trophy for the most beautiful entry_ makes its way in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • The float “Freedom Is Not Free, ” sponsored by the Korean War Commemoration Committee, appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Kaiser Permanente float "Oh, The Healthy Things You Can Do," winner of the Theme trophy for the best presentation of the parade theme”Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” makes it way in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • A member of the Stanford University Marching Band wears a Wisconsin Cheese head hat while performing in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The La Canada Flintridge float "Dino-Soar," winner of the Animation trophy for the best display of animation, makes its way in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • A flying penguin, part of the float "Tuxedo Air," build by Cal Poly Universities_ winner of the Bob Hope trophy for the most comical and amusing entry_ appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The "Follow the Stars… Adopt A Pet!" float built by the Beverly Hills Pet Care Foundation, winner of the Lathrop K. Leishman trophy for the most beautiful entry from a non-commercial sponsor, appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • O.T. Triplett, who has worked the Pasadena Tournament of Roses since 1989, smiles while wearing a rose sticker before the start in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Dancers perform on a float featuring Disney's "Cars Land" in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The float "Wonderful Indonesia," from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies, Republic of Indonesia_ winner of the President’s trophy for the most innovative use and presentation of flowers_ appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Special effects explode on a float featuring Disney's "Cars Land" during the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Rose Parade float “Freedom Is Not Free” by the Korean War Commemoration Committee is seen in Pasadena during the final judging of floats on Monday, Dec 31, 2012 prior to the kick off of the 124th Rose Parade on New Year's Day. The Defense Department for the first time will put a float in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses, one of the most watched parades, to commemorate the veterans from a conflict that still casts a shadow over the world. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)




  • Jane Goodall, the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees looks over flowers in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. Goodall will be the Grand Marshall of the 2013 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. New Year's Day. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)




  • The Stanford University band, known for their colorful nonconformity, march in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Stanford will play Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl football game. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Nicole Angelillo, Gerald Sapienza, Sean Valentine


    Newlyweds Nicole Angelillo and Gerald Sapienza, both of Chesapeake, Va., kiss aboard the Farmers Insurance “The Love Float,” in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The couple, married aboard the float just minutes earlier by nationally syndicated radio personality Sean Valentine, center, are the winners of a national promotion by Farmers. Others are unidentified. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Other Wisconsin band members are reflected in the tuba section as the band marches in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Wisconsin will play Stanford in the Rose Bowl football game. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Performers with the PAVA World Korean Traditional Marching Band march in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Dressed in their signature white suits, tournament members push a utility truck off the parade route in the early morning hours prior to the start of the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The float carrying the spirit squad for Stanford University, which will face Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl football game, is seen in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • A Tournament member rides a scooter down the parade route in the early morning hours prior to the start of the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The California Polytechnic Universities' float, "Tuxedo Air," is the winner of the Bob Hope trophy for the most comical and amusing entry, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Eric Pazz, Eric Pazz Jr., Miriam Pazz


    The Natural Balance Pet Foods float, "Canines With Courage," is the winner of the Past Presidents' trophy for the most innovative use and presentation of flowers, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Seated at the front are Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz, waving, and his wife Miriam and 4-year-old son Eric Jr. after their surprise reunion on the parade route. Miriam Pazz had been told she had won a contest to attend the parade and did not know her husband, who was deployed in Afghanistan, would be there. He got off the float in front of their seats, to a standing ovation on their reunion. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • A flame shoots out above a rose volcano on the Dole Dreaming of Paradise float, winner of the Sweepstakes trophy for the most beautiful entry in the 124th Rose Parade, in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The California Polytechnic Universities' float, "Tuxedo Air," is the winner of the Bob Hope trophy for the most comical and amusing entry, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Eric Pazz, Eric Pazz Jr., Miriam Pazz


    The Natural Balance Pet Foods float, "Canines With Courage," is the winner of the Past Presidents' trophy for the most innovative use and presentation of flowers, in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Seated at the front are Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz, waving, and his wife Miriam and 4-year-old son Eric Jr. after their surprise reunion on the parade route. Miriam Pazz had been told she had won a contest to attend the parade and did not know her husband, who was deployed in Afghanistan, would be there. He got off the float in front of their seats, to a standing ovation on their reunion. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • In this photo provided by Hannah Storm, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, left, poses for a photo with co-host Josh Elliott, anchor for ABC's Good Morning America, on the parade grounds of the Rose Parade on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. Storm hosted the Rose Parade telecast Tuesday in her first on-air appearance since sustaining first- and second-degree burns to her face, hands, chest and neck in a propane gas grill accident Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Courtesy Hannah Storm)




  • Olympic gymnasts Kyla Ross and McKayla Maroney ride in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Protesters from the Occupy movement and others lead an "unofficial" parade entry after the last unit of the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Korean War veterans and others ride the float “Freedom Is Not Free ” sponsored by the Korean War Commemoration Committee in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The float depicts the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • The BOSS, Bands of Santiago Sharks, from Santiago High School in Corona, Calif., marches in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • The Donate Life float "Journeys of the Heart" carries people who have received donated organs along ith relatives of donors in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The relatives of donors each hold a portrait of a donor. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz kisses his wife Miriam as his son Eric Jr. watches during the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Miriam Pazz had been told she had won a contest to attend the parade and did not know her husband, who is deployed in Afghanistan, would be riding on the Natural Balance Pet Foods float. Pazz is a highly-decorated soldier who has also served in Iraq. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz rides with his wife Miriam and son Eric Jr., after they were reunited in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Miriam Pazz had been told she had won a contest to attend the parade and did not know her husband, who is deployed in Afghanistan, would be riding on the Natural Balance Pet Foods float. Pazz is a highly-decorated soldier who has also served in Iraq. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Donate Life float "Journeys of the Heart" carries people who have received donated organs and relatives of donors in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Members of the Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team ride their horses in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • The Indonesia Ministry of Tourism float "Wonderful Indonesia," the winner of the President’s trophy for the most innovative use and presentation of flowers, appears in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • The Pasadena City College Honor Band performs in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)




  • Nicole Angelillo, Gerald Sapienza, Sean Valentine


    Newlyweds Nicole Angelillo and Gerald Sapienza, both of Chesapeake, Va., ride the Farmers Insurance "The Love Float," in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The couple, married aboard the float just minutes earlier by nationally syndicated radio personality Sean Valentine, center, are the winners of a national promotion by Farmers. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




  • Bundled in blankets, people wait on the street in the early-morning cold before the start of the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)