February 19, 1998

Harry Caray

Remembering the broadcasting legend

by Gary Huckabay

Harry Caray wasn't the best technical broadcaster in the world. Others had a smoother delivery. Harry's pronunciation was such that you wondered if the Cubs would purposefully avoid acquiring players like Doug Gwosdz or Mark Grudzielanek. In later years, he had clearly slipped due to advancing age and the ravages of ill health. But who cares? If you're reading this, you have an inherent understanding of Harry's sheer love and joy for the game. Most of us spend our lives trying to find something we can do that will provide us with that same ebulliant spark.

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a sunny Giants/Cubs game with a bunch of classmates. There were about 12 of us in all, including some high school and college classmates, including 6 or 7 young women.

Harry was trundling around the parking lot, and came by, gave his big rendition of a smile, shook the hands of the group of us, and said, among other things, "Boy! You guys got it made! A beautiful day of baseball with beautiful women! I hope the Cubs have that kind of luck today!"

I'm sure Harry said a similar line a thousand times or more, but it didn't matter. He genuinely meant it. And we were lucky.

Thanks, Harry. You made the game better.

Gary Huckabay is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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