It’s hard for me to come up with the words to write this blog post, mainly because I don’t think its sunk in yet. I first heard the news as soon as I woke up this morning, and to me, it seemed unreal. Skip Caray, one of the main announcers and a name that is synonymous with the Braves, passed away last night in his sleep at the age of 68.
Now, I haven’t followed Skip throughout his entire 32-year career with the Braves, mainly because I really only started watching the team in 1997. But since then, through every single of his broadcasts on TBS, I felt like he gave me something. He gave me the unique feeling of the Braves. His voice is ingrained in my head with most of the fond memories I have. He was honest, but also had a sense of humor that truly made the games more enjoyable. Listening to him was always a treat, and he did his job just about as well as anyone can do it.
More importantly, this was a guy who I grew up with. I’m sure most of you can say the same, that Skip did indeed have an impact on your youth. But now, knowing that I’m no longer going to hear his remarks, or listen to him say something that would undoubtedly put a smile on my face, the feelings are starting to sink in.
Rest in peace, Skip. Thanks for all the great memories. You will be missed.
[August 12, 1939 - August 3, 2008]
Ben: Well said. Skip’s voice remains with all of us, and those memories never will fade. He was the soundtrack of our youth, one who was loved by millions and who will be missed tremendously. Truly one of a kind.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
Comment by Bud — August 5, 2008 @ 7:12 am
Well said, Ben. Skip did indeed provide the soundtrack of my youth, even prior to his becoming a voice of the Braves in ‘76. I first started listening to Skip when he called games for the Atlanta Hawks, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that many people in Atlanta became basketball fans just because of Skip. I was actually annoyed when Skip was hired to do the Braves, because I didn’t think it possible for him to call baseball better than he called basketball. I was wrong.
I remember listening to his sports talk show with Jiggs McDonald on the old WRNG Radio. I even called in once, when they were having a trivia contest. I won 4 Braves tickets by correctly answering a question. I was 12, sounded even younger on the radio, and Skip was very kind.
I even remember when Skip filled in for Jiggs McDonald and called a Flames hockey game once. I was a Flames fan, but, like most Flames fans in those days, didn’t really know much about other teams or hockey in general. I thought he did a great job keeping up with the action on the ice, but I had no idea he was making up names for the players on the opposing team.
I’ve been a diehard Braves fan since 1972, when I attended my first game at the age of 11. I endured more losing seasons than I care to remember, but Skip kept even the most impatient and casual fans interested by infusing a very dry, acerbic wit into the broadcast that spoke the truth without denigrating anyone. He wasn’t shy about criticizing situations or ideas, but he never made it personal (unlike too many other sports journalists).
Lots of people remember his calls of Sid Bream’s slide in the ‘92 NLCS and Game 6 of the ‘95 World Series, but I remember him for always keeping it interesting–and entertaining- during the agonizing late ’70s and mid/late ’80s. I remember a game in the late ’70s against the Cininnati Reds in which the hapless Braves came back from something like an 11-run deficit to win the game–judging from Skip and Ernie’s call, you’d've thought the Braves were actually in a pennant race. I remember him cracking up at Phil Niekro, who was dancing on a table, during the celebration in the clubhouse after clinching the ‘82 division title. I remember one game in which the opposing team was shooting down our bullpen like plastic ducks at an arcade, and Skip, who had sworn off drinking, delivered this gem: “the bases are loaded, and I wish I was.”
Skip’s not in the Hall of Fame (yet), but fans have the power to put him there by going to the Hall of Fame website and voting for him to receive this year’s Frick Award.
Comment by Jean Gilliland — September 26, 2008 @ 11:01 am