Well, as an avid Braves fan, I couldn't let the moment pass without making mention of the passing of Skip Caray, longtime Braves announcer and icon. I didn't have cable growing up, so I don't have the close ties to Skip that many other Braves fans do, but I have listened to him on the radio and seen him on TBS and the former Turner South for about the last 11 years.
Skip had one of those unforgettable voices and an even more unforgettable schtick when he provided play-by-play and color commentary on radio and TV. Some of his quotes are legendary (although he lost some of his material when the Expos moved to D.C. and changed their name to the Nationals).
Some of my favorite Skip quotes:
- "Like lambs to the slaughter, the Braves take the field." (During the lean years)
- "The bases are loaded and Dusty Baker wishes he was." (Referring to the Reds manager during a game against Cincinnati)
- "Another hit off Bong." (Referring to Braves pitcher Jung Bong)
- (On the fourth ball of an intentional walk) "As day follows night..."
- "Cue the duck" (Introducing the AFLAC Trivia Question)
There are many more - too many to remember all at once, but the best ones are these...
"A lotta room in right-center, if he hits one there we can dance in the streets. The 2-1. Swung, line drive left field! One run is in! Here comes Bream! Here's the throw to the plate! He is...safe! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!...Braves win! They may have to hospitalize Sid Bream; he's down at the bottom of a huge pile at the plate. They help him to his feet. Frank Cabrera got the game winner! The Atlanta Braves are National League champions again! This crowd is going berserk, listen!" (Atlanta Braves comeback win to capture the 1992 NLCS against Pittsburgh)
"Mark gets the sign, the wind and the pitch here it is... swung, fly ball deep left center, Grissom on the run... Yes! Yes! Yes! The Atlanta Braves have given you a championship! Listen to this crowd! A mob scene on the field. Wohlers gets 'em one, two, three. A couple of fans rushing on the field. The Atlanta Braves have brought the first championship to Atlanta!" (1995 World Series Championship against Cleveland)
Skip battled with alcohol problems for much of his life, but even after he gave it up, the damage to his body had been done. My greatest hope is that, at some point, he made peace with God and had a relationship with Him. After all, when our life here is over, that's all that will matter.
Goodbye, Skip! With every "chopper to Chipper" from now on, I'll think of you.
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2 comments:
Edie, I like Skip's quotes, especially "As day follows night..." that one made me laugh. I'm not much of a ball fan, but this was an interesting and intertaining read. Thanks
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! He had so many quotes that I couldn't remember as I was writing this. I wish somebody would put them in a book sometime. :)
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