Harry Caray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harry Caray |
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Caray in the Wrigley Field booth in 1988
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| Broadcaster | |
| Born: March 1, 1914 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Died: February 18, 1998 (aged 83) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. |
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As Broadcaster
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Harry Christopher Caray (born Carabina; March 1, 1914 – February 18, 1998) was a famous American sportscaster. He was known for his exciting way of describing baseball games. During his long career, he called games for five different Major League Baseball teams.
He started by announcing games for the St. Louis Cardinals for 25 years. For two of those years, he also called games for the St. Louis Browns. Later, he worked for the Oakland Athletics for one year. Then, he spent 11 years with the Chicago White Sox. Finally, he spent the last 16 years of his career as the announcer for the Chicago Cubs. Harry Caray became a beloved voice in baseball.
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Harry Caray's Early Life
Harry Christopher Carabina was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was Italian and his mother was Romanian. When Harry was 14, his mother, Daisy Argint, passed away from pneumonia. He didn't remember much about his father, who went to fight in World War I.
Harry went to live with his uncle John and aunt Doxie. He attended Webster Groves High School. In his youth, Harry was a talented baseball player. He was even offered a spot on the University of Alabama team. However, he couldn't afford to go to college.
During World War II, Harry tried to join the military. But he was not accepted because of his poor eyesight. Since he couldn't play baseball professionally, he found another way to stay close to the game. He decided to use his voice. He spent a few years learning about radio at stations in Joliet, Illinois, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. While in Joliet, a station manager suggested he change his last name from Carabina to Caray. This was because Carabina sounded "awkward" on the radio.
Harry Caray's Broadcasting Career
Calling Games for St. Louis Teams
Harry Caray got his big chance with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1945. He was great at describing the games. He was also good at promoting the sponsors, like the beer company. He worked with former baseball player Gabby Street until 1950. He also called games for the St. Louis Browns in 1945 and 1946.
As the Cardinals' announcer, Caray broadcast three World Series games. These were in 1964, 1967, and 1968. He also announced the 1957 All-Star Game. He was on the air for Stan Musial's 3,000th hit in 1958.
In 1968, Harry was hit by a car in St. Louis. He broke both of his legs. But he worked hard to recover. He was back in the broadcast booth for the start of the 1969 season. On Opening Day, fans cheered loudly. He dramatically threw away his canes and walked to the booth on his own. After 25 seasons, the Cardinals decided not to renew his contract. This was his longest time with any team.
Moving to the Oakland Athletics
In 1970, Harry spent one season broadcasting for the Oakland Athletics. He often said he left because the team owner, Charles O. Finley, interfered too much.
Announcing for the Chicago White Sox
Harry Caray joined the Chicago White Sox in 1971. He quickly became very popular with the fans. He was known for being lively and enjoying himself. He was sometimes tough on players if they made mistakes.
One famous event during his time with the White Sox was "Disco Demolition Night" in 1979. It was a special event to get fans to the ballpark. After the first game of a doubleheader, a DJ blew up a crate of disco records on the field. Thousands of fans rushed onto the field. Harry Caray tried to calm the crowd over the loudspeaker. But it didn't work. The police had to clear the field. The White Sox had to give up the second game because of the damage. Harry left the White Sox after the 1981 season.
Joining the Chicago Cubs
Harry Caray became even more famous after joining the Chicago Cubs in 1982. The Cubs' TV station, WGN-TV, was one of the first "superstations." This meant their programs were shown all over the United States. So, Harry Caray became famous across the country.
The Cubs won their division in 1984. Millions of people watched on WGN-TV. They loved Harry's style. He would swing his microphone and lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch. People would copy his gravelly voice and his unique glasses.
In 1987, Harry had a stroke at his winter home. He missed the first two months of the season. Many celebrity guest announcers filled in for him. Harry made a remarkable recovery. He continued to broadcast, though his schedule became lighter. He only called home games and trips to St. Louis and Atlanta.
In 1997, Harry's grandson, Chip Caray, was hired to announce Cubs games with him. But Harry passed away in February 1998, before the season began. So, they never got to work together in the booth.
The Seventh-Inning Stretch Tradition
Harry Caray is famous for making the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch a popular tradition.
For years, Harry would sing the song in his broadcast booth. Only a few people near him could hear it. In 1976, Bill Veeck, the White Sox owner, noticed Harry singing. He decided to try something special.
Veeck secretly put a microphone in Harry's booth. One day, the organist started playing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Veeck turned on the microphone. Everyone in the park heard Harry singing! Veeck asked Harry to sing regularly. Harry wasn't sure at first. Veeck explained that Harry's voice wasn't perfect. This made fans feel like they could sing along too. If Harry had a perfect voice, it might make people shy.
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Harry finally agreed to sing live. He became famous for it. He continued the tradition when he moved to the Chicago Cubs. He would hold a microphone out the booth window. He would often start by talking to the fans about the game or the weather. Then he would say, "All right! Lemme hear ya! Ah-One! Ah-Two! Ah-Three!" He would then launch into his unique, slow version of the song. He often changed "root, root, root for the home team" to "root, root, root for the White Sox/Cubbies." For "One, Two, Three, strikes you're out," he would point the microphone to the crowd. If the visiting team was winning, he would often add, "Let's get some runs!"
After Harry died in 1998, the Cubs started having guest singers lead the song. This tradition continues today. His wife and grandson were the first to lead it after his death. In 2022, a holographic version of Harry Caray even performed the song for a special Cubs game.
Harry Caray's Personality and Style
Harry Caray started his broadcasting career in St. Louis. He had a unique way of sharing news. He was honest and direct, which was new for radio at the time. This made him very popular.
Harry was known for always supporting the team he announced for. He openly cheered for the Cubs from his booth. He once said that after being fired by the Cardinals, he realized his true passion was for the game and the fans. He also had a famous home run call: "It might be... it could be... it IS! A home run!"
He was one of the first announcers to leave the booth during a game. He would sometimes set up a table in the outfield. He would broadcast the game from there, surrounded by fans. He believed he was the "eyes and ears of the fan." He felt it was important to tell the whole truth.
Harry also enjoyed trying to say opposing players' names backward. This became harder after his stroke in 1987.
Other Sports Harry Caray Announced
While Harry Caray is best known for baseball, he also announced other sports. He called ice hockey games for the St. Louis Flyers. He announced basketball games for the St. Louis Billikens, Boston Celtics, and St. Louis Hawks. He also called college football games for the Missouri Tigers. He even broadcast eight Cotton Bowl Classic games on the radio.
Harry was skilled at many parts of broadcasting. He wrote his own scripts. He conducted interviews. He even hosted sports talk shows.
Harry Caray's Personal Life
Harry Caray had a family of broadcasters. His son, Skip Caray, also became a baseball announcer for the Atlanta Braves. Harry's grandson, Chip Caray, continued the family tradition. Chip replaced Harry as the Cubs' play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2004. Chip later became an announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. In 2022, Chip's twin sons, Chris and Stefan, became broadcasters for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. This made them the fourth generation of Caray broadcasters!
One of Harry's proudest moments was working in the same broadcast booth with his son and grandson. This happened during a Cubs/Braves game on May 13, 1991.
There are also restaurants named Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago. The first one opened in 1987.
Harry Caray's Death
Harry Caray passed away on February 18, 1998. He had a heart attack and suffered brain damage. On Valentine's Day, Harry and his wife, "Dutchie" Goldman, were celebrating when he collapsed. He was taken to the hospital but never woke up. He died 11 days before his 84th birthday.
Harry Caray's funeral was held in Chicago. Many people came to honor him. This included Cubs players like Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace. The Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor also attended. The organist at the funeral played "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." He made it sound more serious for the occasion. Harry's wife, Dutchie, led the Wrigley Field crowd in singing the song at the first home game after his death. This tradition continues today.
Harry Caray is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Harry Caray's Legacy
After Harry's death, the Cubs wore a special patch on their uniforms during the entire 1998 season. It showed a drawing of Harry. Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa dedicated each of his 66 home runs that season to Harry Caray.
In 2016, when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series, a beer company made a special commercial. It was called "Harry Caray's Last Call." It used Harry's voice from old recordings to celebrate the win.
Honors and Special Events for Harry Caray
Harry Caray received many awards for his broadcasting. The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named him Missouri Sportscaster of the Year twice. They also named him Illinois Sportscaster of the Year 10 times. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1988.
In 1989, the Baseball Hall of Fame gave Harry Caray the Ford C. Frick Award. This award is for people who have made major contributions to baseball. He was also inducted into the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame that same year. In 1990, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. He also has his own star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
On June 24, 1994, the Chicago Cubs held a special day to honor Harry. It celebrated his 50 years of broadcasting Major League Baseball. Fans received pins with Harry's picture on them.
Harry Caray's unique style also became popular in TV shows and comedy. He was often parodied on Saturday Night Live. The comedian Will Ferrell played Harry Caray in funny sketches. These sketches often featured Harry talking about silly ideas, like if the moon were made of spare ribs.
