Courtesy Torrance Daily Breeze

(April 21, 2009) On the wall behind the row of broadcast booths in the Dodger Stadium press box, a couple dozen 8x10 photos documenting the timeline of the Dodgers' radio and TV people have been put on display.

On the far left, Red Barber.

On the far right, Eric Collins. Except his frame is empty.

Before he debuts today on Prime Ticket coverage on the Dodgers' road trip in Houston, Collins was to get his official portrait snapped. That was to be done while he was in town doing some practice reps with new partner Steve Lyons from Broadcast Booth No. 5.

"There are some expectations; I'm not stupid," said the 39-year-old Collins, who grew up in Cleveland listening to Herb Score's call of the Indians games, and is living these days with his wife and two small daughters in Chicago.

"Vin Scully isn't going away any time soon. He's still got his fastball. I'm just happy to be part of the mix, finally doing major league baseball games."

Don't take the writing, or pictures, on the wall to mean Scully, starting his 60th season with the Dodgers, is about to retire, and Collins is ready to pounce.

Since Scully has limited his travel on the road to games west of the Rockies, Charley Steiner was moving from radio to TV to fill in. But this offseason, the Dodgers decided for continuity's sake to keep Steiner on the KABC-AM (790) radio broadcasts with Rick Monday and then find someone to work with Lyons.

Collins emerged from about 100 candidates who sent in tapes and resumes, on the strength of a resume that included doing baseball during NBC's Beijing Olympics, plus a variety of college sports for ESPN the last six years. He's also got minor league experience for a couple of Midwest teams. A broadcaster since 1994, he's also filled in on Chicago White Sox games for the city's local affiliate, and spent a handful of years taking long bus rides for a couple of minor league teams in the Midwest.

"His experience speaks for itself. He had great recommendations from NBC and ESPN, and we've really been impressed with his passion and energy level from his games in Arizona," said Lauryn Lukin, the Dodgers VP of broadcasting. "He feels like a good fit for the team."

And, Lukin adds, don't read more into this than what it is.

"It's hard enough in our jobs to know what we're doing for any long term, so it's not fair to anyone to look beyond this year right now," she said. "We all hope Vin stays as long as he wants. Hiring Eric isn't part of any process or discussion to replace Vin."

Reservations about Collins not being a local-grown talent, or detached because he's from a couple thousand miles away, will no doubt be on Dodger viewers' minds. And he understands that.

"To me, that's a non-issue," Collins said, confident without being boastful. "I've been doing my homework. The Internet and DirecTV's `Extra Innings' package means I haven't missed an inning."

The proof will be in how the L.A. audience accepts him as part of the TV family.

"I think I'm kind of a quirky guy, and to me, that's not a negative. I like to be like that," Collins said.

Get the picture? Let Scully paint one for you.

"I really hope he's a big success and perhaps that would lead to bigger and better things for him with the club," Scully said. "As for me ... day to day."