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Harry Caray - My Tribute Series

When I created this group, one of the things that I wanted to do was write a few post on people that meant a lot to me in baseball. So, this will be the first in many future entries on Tributes.

Back in the 80's, I had a summer job working down at the local Golf Driving Range. Now, during the day, in Small Town, USA, you do not get a lot of business, but, nonetheless, they still wanted it opened till late evenings. So, I would ride my bike to work or either jog there as it was only a couple of miles and it was a part of my workout.

Typically around 2 pm everyday, the tv, which always would be on WGN back then, the CUBIES would come on and I would get to here that distinctive voice from my favorite announcer, Harry Caray. Now, back then, no one could catch my attention as harry did with his intro of "Hello again from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball". I would get really excited when I heard him yell Holy Cow or This Crowd is Wild.

Now, for anyone that would listen to Harry, you knew that you were going to be entertained. There was nothing boring about him. But must of all, I liked the 7th inning stretch when everyone got off their fannies and Harry leads everyone in a course of "Take me out to the Ball Game." Today, hearing Harry do that song still brings a tear to my eye that we lost a great icon.

Harry, this Bud is for you. Hope you enjoy it as well as you did here. Thanks for all the memories.

Posted by Danny Thornton on 01/10/2008 12:18 PM

Comments (33)

tribute, sports, baseball, annoucers, pro

33 Comments on Harry Caray - My Tribute Series

Hey I remember this guy, lol.

01/10/2008 12:49 PM

by Linda Futral Sells Coweta, Heard, Meriwether & Troup (RE/MAX Today)

Linda, I hope that a lot of people do. He was baseball in Chicago for a long time.

01/10/2008 12:59 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

That's a lovely tribute. I'm sure Harry would be proud.

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01/10/2008 01:16 PM

by Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com)

Chris, I can imagine him looking down with a beer in his hand.

01/10/2008 01:23 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

He definitely was a truly a memorable character who gave a lot to the game. Skip's pretty good too but in a different way of course!

01/10/2008 01:28 PM

by Rich Dansereau Loan Officer Knoxville TN (Home America Mortgage)

Rich, all the Caray's are good announcers, but none are as memorable as Harry.

01/10/2008 01:34 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Danny, you brought a smile to my face. My oldest son who is 26 was a huge BB fan when he was 2. He was a "cubbie" thru and thru even though we lived in Washington state. For some reason all the Cub games were televised in our small town. He knew every player by name and position - yes he was only 2! He learned to sing "Take me out to the Ballgame" with Harry Caray. We didn't know he thought the words were "root, root, root for the cubbies" until we took him to his first Seattle Mariner's game when he was 5 and when they started the song sure enough he belted out "cubbies" - it was priceless!! I loved listening and watching Harry Caray.

01/10/2008 01:58 PM

by Jo Soss | Bremerton WA Real Estate (Skyline Properties, Inc.)

Jo, now that is priceless.

01/10/2008 02:20 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Danny

GREAT POST !! Only one sentence can describe Harry Caray and that is ......

He will long be remembered as the GREATEST Baseball Announcer to EVER call the Game ! I was so fortunate to go to a game with my wife Grace and witness and hear the 7th Inning Stretch and Sing along with him..what a site it was...The only bummer to the day...I decided since the Cubs were getting beat by 3 runs going to the 9th Inning..I told Grace lets leave and beat the traffic in Wrigleyville..well..as we exited we heard screaming...HOME RUN Cubs.....then a cheer..then another cheer then I hear the crowd going wild..yep...Cubs scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th...Moral of story...we don't leave sporting events early ever again.! (this is reminded to me at every sporting event we attend now....Great Post!

Jeff

01/10/2008 04:22 PM

by Jeff & Grace Safrin-SpousesSellingHouses REALTORS, F.C.Tucker Company, Indiana (F.C.Tucker/Advantage Realty)

Jeff, OUCH. I bet you got beat by Grace that night. I would not have wanted to be you. Thanks for stopping by.

01/10/2008 04:24 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Another in the long list of baseballs great characters. And they don't have to be a player. Harry was definitely a classic!

01/10/2008 09:17 PM

by Jim Albano (Prudential Damiano Realty)

Another in the long list of baseballs great characters. And they don't have to be a player. Harry was definitely a classic!

01/10/2008 09:17 PM

by Jim Albano (Prudential Damiano Realty)

One of the all time great announcers of our lifetime.

In football my favorite was Lindsey Nelson. His voice is what did it for me.

01/10/2008 10:08 PM

by Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)

Jim that he was.

Jay, not sure I know that name.

01/10/2008 10:29 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Danny..I have never been a fan of the Caray's(especially Skip)...but Harry was Cub Baseball!When you thought of the Cubs...you thought of him!

01/11/2008 02:48 AM

by BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc)

Rick, you are correct that Harry and Cubs Baseball go hand in hand.

01/11/2008 09:09 AM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Lindsey Nelson called a lot of college football. He was also known for being part of the NY Mets original broadcast team of Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy. Nelson was also well known for wearing brightly colored and sometimes hideously ugly sports jackets during his broadcasts! Just a little bit of useless trivia.

01/11/2008 09:26 AM

by Jim Albano (Prudential Damiano Realty)

Nice post Danny I feel the same about Vin Scully, he is Voice of the Dodgers. Some of the great broadcasters make a great game even better. I atill have trouble watching a Laker game without Chick Hearn.

01/11/2008 09:56 AM

by David Hood- Realtor Chino Valley (Keller Williams Realty)

David, I can understand that.

01/11/2008 10:40 AM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Jim, I have yet to meet a broadcaster that did not have a telling sign about them.

01/11/2008 10:43 AM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Danny... boy, did I screw up once. I had the pleasure of meeting Harry Caray once before. It was on October 15, 1988 at a Notre Dame football game vs Miami. People in the student section started to sing "Take me out to the ballpark". I looked up 5 rows up and 1 row over and sure enough, I saw those thick glasses. Yes, very thick... lol

In any case, I got his autograph on a ten dollar bill. Well, I was still in college and we went out drinking that night. I was down to my last $10 and spent it. But I can say that I did meet him, but that I spent the proof. lol

01/11/2008 12:04 PM

by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)

Jeff, yeah, I guess that sucks. Someone got his autograph though.

01/11/2008 12:31 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

There's no one like him and he IS missed! Not too keen on Skip. When they made Harry...they broke the mold

01/12/2008 05:47 PM

by Cris Burlew, Broker ~ St Pete Beach FL Real Estate (Beach & Luxury Realty, Inc.)

This is true, harry was one of a kind.

01/12/2008 06:55 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

yes it did... but as you said, someone has his autograph... lol Just not me.

01/12/2008 07:04 PM

by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)

Jeff, I feel for you, but I just can't reach you, lol. Just kidding. I am an autograph man myself. Our basement is loaded with them.

01/12/2008 07:11 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

today's the 10th anniversary of his death.

02/18/2008 07:31 PM

by Jim Ludes Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR (Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby)

A one, and A TWO, AND a Three... Take me out to the BALL game...I miss him very much. It makes you want to cry thinking about the old timers and what they brought to this wonderful game of ours. Thanks for the post

02/18/2008 07:59 PM

by Nicholas Goglucci, PA., CLHMS, ePro Re/Max Professional in South Florida (RE/Max In Motion, Inc.)

Jim, thanks for the reminder.

Nicholas, it was people like him that helped make this great sport.

02/18/2008 09:54 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

10 years, I can't believe that. He will forever be entwined in the fabric of our national pastime!

02/18/2008 10:19 PM

by Jim Albano (Prudential Damiano Realty)

Jim, it has been a while, I know that. It is sad when we loose such an inspiration.

02/19/2008 08:13 AM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)

Danny: You are so right, we need more real people in sports that make a real difference. Just that song makes me think of fond memories of my childhood. Thanks

02/20/2008 01:02 PM

by Nicholas Goglucci, PA., CLHMS, ePro Re/Max Professional in South Florida (RE/Max In Motion, Inc.)

Nicholas, that is what it is suppose to be.

02/20/2008 01:07 PM

by Danny Thornton (Home America Mortgage, INC.)