A legend sleeps: Skip Caray passes at 68

[SCchief]

just heard an update that the long time Braves announcer has died in his sleep at the age of 68

[McCarroll21]

OMG! Rest in peace. :(

[JCStone7]

:eek: OMG, rest in peace Skip!

[BF91]

Holy crap! RIP Skip, you were one of the good ones.

[SCchief]

Just got the espn mobile alert but have not found it yet, you guys see it anywhere?

[McCarroll21]

Just got the espn mobile alert but have not found it yet, you guys see it anywhere?
AJC has a story, it's in our RSS feed.

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/skip_caray_dies.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21

[JCStone7]

Wow, I still can't believe, I just heard him and Pete on Friday!

[PhantomsCV]

RIP Skip Carey. You were always one of my favorite voices when I was listening to a Braves game!

[BGarrett7]

I'm... Uh... Really... I don't know how to communicate what I'm feeling here with just a keyboard.

I guess heartbreak is the first word that comes to mind.

No one has been more critical of Skip over the past few years, I've said time and time again how he should hang it up instead of becoming a shell of his former self like his father became before his passing... But this one hurts.

Skip and Pete were the soundtrack to the first quarter-century of my life. I can't even begin to imagine how many games I've listened to Skip call either on tv or the radio in the past 26+ years.

My heart goes out to the Caray family, the Braves organization (especially PVW) and anyone else who, like me, has nothing but the fondest memories of Skip.

You know, the funny thing is, I was just listening to Skip and Pete call a game last week on my way to work, and for the first time in a while, actually enjoyed Skip. It was like he was his former self, back before all the health problems. And now this.

This one hurts.

[IMissJorgeSosa]

What a great voice, and a great guy. They just don't make em like him anymore. He will definitely be missed.

[gobravez]

WOW! RIP Skip. You will always be remembered in the hearts of braves fans everywhere.

[McCarroll21]

I'm with you BG. I'm not really a crier, but I'm as close to tears right now as I was when my grandmother passed.

Skip as a big part of all of our lives and he'll be missed by a lot of people.

I can only hope he was sleeping after the game today, not before, so that he could have seen the Braves win one last time before he passed.

[GrandMasterB]

Wow. I just listened to him the other day, too. Can't believe this. I knew he wasn't doing so hot as far as his health goes, but this definitely comes as a surprise. My thoughts and prayers go out to Chip and the rest of the Caray family. This is truly a sad day for Braves fans across the country. :(

[BGarrett7]

I can only hope he was sleeping after the game today, not before, so that he could have seen the Braves win one last time before he passed.I shed a few tears when I was typing up my initial reply... But that right there got me, man. :(

[PhantomsCV]

Mini Biography of Skip Carey from IMDb:

Skip Carey is a member of the Atlanta Braves broadcast team. The son of legendary Chicago Cub and former St Louis Cardinal broadcaster, Harry Carey, Skip has b een with the Braves since 1976. Skip's son Chip, followed his dad's footsteps into broadcasting and during a Braves-Cubs game in 1994, all three Careys became the first grandfather-father-son trio to broadcast the same major league game. Skip has been at the mic for some of the most memorable plays in the history of the franchise, including the Brave's dramatic come-from-behind victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1992 National League Championship Series and the final out of Atlanta's 1995 World Series victory against the Cleveland Indians.

[ahmed5456]

I was at the Brewers game Sunday R.I.P. Skip

[McCarroll21]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3

[SCchief]

This season has just been topped off, WOW! What about chip doing a game today on TBS in New York then hearing this. I will never ever forget when I was growing up always hears those words from Skip "Braves Win, Braves Win."

RIP!

[boof1027]

I shed a few tears when I was typing up my initial reply... But that right there got me, man. :(
Man this sucks, one of the biggest parts of my child hood. Me and my mom used to listen and watch the Braves every game. She loved skip gonna call he and tell her.
RIP Skip!:(

[JCStone7]

I shed a few tears when I was typing up my initial reply... But that right there got me, man. :(

No doubt! Words can't express what that voice meant to me and so many Braves fans. I can still remember my grandmother who turned me on to the Braves saying how much she loved listening to Skip and Pete and this was in 1990.

[BF91]

I know this is kinda quick, but in retrospect of his career do you think he should get the Ford C Frick Award? For nothing else than what he meant to the Braves' fanbase, I say put the man in the Hall.

[SCchief]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3


WOW McCarroll. you know how to just draw the tears out with that one..

[GrandMasterB]

I shed a few tears when I was typing up my initial reply... But that right there got me, man. :(

You aren't the only one. I think pretty much all of us on this board have grown up listening to Skip and Pete, whether it be through television or radio. You know it's bound to happen eventually, but nothing can ever prepare anyone for something like this.

[gobravez]

I shed a few tears when I was typing up my initial reply... But that right there got me, man. :(

It got me too when I read that.


Don't know if this has been posted yet, but braves.com (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080803&content_id=3250339&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) has an article up on Skip.

[JCStone7]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3


I'm glad I have that one on CD!

[McCarroll21]

WOW McCarroll. you know how to just draw the tears out with that one..
..me too.. all of us, i'm sure.

[josephw000]

No friggin way! I'm kinda fighting back tears....a voice you'd hear almost every day...every summer for the past 20 years or so.....from the come from behind against the Pirates, to the last game on TBS when he was BSing about Lamb and Biggio...

He was JUST ON the other day.....sad sad sad...I can;t believe it. Ruined my friggin Sunday.

[josephw000]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3

You just made me effin cry McCarroll...thanks dude......

[gobravez]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3

Hey McCarroll, can you provide us a link to this? I want to save it to my computer.

[JCStone7]

I'm so glad I taped the last Braves TBS game with Skip on it, that is definitely a keeper!

[timmy]

I think everyone here who grew up listening to Skip is pretty shaken up right now...Which is all of us, pretty much...

Like I don't even know what to say. RIP Skip

My prayers go out for the Caray family. Obviously they were as unprepared for this as we were.

[McCarroll21]

Hey McCarroll, can you provide us a link to this? I want to save it to my computer.
Sid Slid (http://www.braves-nation.com/media/sid.mp3)

[josephw000]

I'm so glad I taped the last Braves TBS game with Skip on it, that is definitely a keeper!

What was the last game he called JC? Yesterday?

[SCchief]

I'm just sitting here in disbelief. Wish they had a home game tom. to be able to do some sorta of special tribute to him instead of waiting until next Tuesday

[BGarrett7]

"I'm just in shock," Chip said. "I know he wasn't feeling good, but this was unexpected. He hung the moon for me. I got to talk to him [on Saturday], and the last thing I got to say to him was, 'I love you.'"

Cherish it, Chip. Some of us weren't so lucky, and it will haunt us always.

[gobravez]

Sid Slid (http://www.braves-nation.com/media/sid.mp3)

thanks man. :nod:

[JCStone7]

What was the last game he called JC? Yesterday?

I know he called Friday's game cuz I listened to it, Saturday's game was on ESPN radio so I don't know if he called it.

[SCchief]

I don't think I can ever get tired of hearing Skip say "Braves Win! Braves Win! Braves Win!"

[McCarroll21]

I made this thread a sticky and made a more fitting title. Definitely feel free to share all of your thoughts, memories, etc. of Skip Caray.

To most of us, you and Pete are the Braves.

[PhantomsCV]

"I'm 68," Caray said on April 2. "If I go tonight, I've had a hell of a life."

He did die this morning, and I hope his family to got say good bye to him before this happened.

It makes me happy to know his passion was broadcasting Braves game and I had a pleasure for a majority of my life living in the metro Atlanta of seeing Braves games anytime they played from when they were on TBS to when they are on SportsSouth and Peachtree TV like there are today. He had a passion that showed every time he showed up to the ballpark and every time he spoke about the Braves. He learned that from his dad. We all listened to Skip talk and describe the game to the detail like he did. From when he made up a random name and picked a random city when someone hit a foul ball. "Mike Mitchell from Augusta caught that foul Ball."

You will be missed from the bottom of every Braves fan hearts and thanks to YOU we've had a hell of a life as a Brave fan.

[JCStone7]

I made this thread a sticky and made a more fitting title. Definitely feel free to share all of your thoughts, memories, etc. of Skip Caray.

To most of us, you and Pete are the Braves.

I just told my wife and she never listened to the Braves before me and she even started to tear up cuz she listened to them on the radio with me. This is a sad sad day

[brnt247]

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!

Sad day.

[josephw000]

From when he made up a random name and picked a random city when someone hit a foul ball. "Mike Mitchell from Augusta caught that foul Ball."


I was watching a game where he told Pete he had a layout of the ballpark where everyone sat and where they were from and that's how he did it. I swore to my dad for about 12 years it was true.

[BGarrett7]

August 3, 2008... The day the dynasty officially died.

[Andrew]

I can't even begin to describe what I'm feeling. I was born March 29th, 1991...12 days before the 14 division title run began. Since I was too young to comprehend baseball, I spent my nights listening to Skip. I was too young at the time to even come close to appreciating Sid's slide, but have since watched that game more times than I can count, and have basically grown up to the voice of Skip Carey. I listened to him just last week when he called Hampton's return. I will always remember Skip, as my love for the game of baseball was born and grew to the sound of his voice. Someday, I hope to show my own kids the great moments in Braves history that he called, as he was my favorite annoucner of all time. Rest in peace, we will all miss you.

"And a fan from Alpharetta comes up with the foul ball..."

[josephw000]

I wonder if DOB will have a nice little story come out for Skip...something else to make me friggin cry... :):) I'm glad we have Chip in the Braves family, even though it started with Harry in Chi town, and Chip was a Chicago guy himself...Carry on Chip.

[b10wick]

Wow, didn't know about it until I heard Jon Miller and Joe Morgan bring it up on the Phils/Cards game.. Holy Crap.

Shocked to hear it.

RIP Skip. You were one of the best.

[vnodnarb]

I wonder if DOB will have a nice little story come out for Skip...something else to make me friggin cry... :):) I'm glad we have Chip in the Braves family, even though it started with Harry in Chi town, and Chip was a Chicago guy himself...Carry on Chip.

His other son Josh broadcasts for the Rome Braves.

[dogmanx23]

Man i just read this and i teared up. RIP Skip u will be missed :(

[RockTheShow]

Thanks for all of those nights where I could just listen in to Skip.

I know I will remember him, he is the only guy I have ever listened to on the radio do the Braves. I don't really know what to think.

RIP Skip. A Braves HOF for sure in my book.

[gobravez]

http://videobeta.aol.com/video-detail/headline-news-sports-w-skip-caray-and-ernie-johnson/4130823109

[BF91]

I'm in the same boat as Andrew, I was born August 19, 1991....smack in the middle of the race for that first division title. I've listened to Skip Carey call games for all of my almost seventeen years and he just always seemed like one of the guys that would never leave us. It broke my heart when the Braves left TBS and I knew I wouldn't be able to listen to him call games anymore, but I've been lucky enough to catch a few of his last games. Sadly, that day has come where he's left us for that big ballpark in the sky and I just want to say thank you Skip. From the bottom of my heart, and from all of Braves Nation, THANK YOU!

[josephw000]

His other son Josh broadcasts for the Rome Braves.

Just read that myself. Good to have them...

Zack has some good ol Skip quotes, lol...

"Well, Resop is now relieving himself on the mound."
-4/3/08

[josephw000]

http://videobeta.aol.com/video-detail/headline-news-sports-w-skip-caray-and-ernie-johnson/4130823109

Good find dude, lol.

[smoltzistheman]

Definitely a sad day...I don't know how many games I listened to Skip call in my car when I wasn't by the TV or on TV. And if the game was being broadcast nationally on another network I would turn the sound down and turn on WSB radio. I loved listening to Pete and Skip and also to Skip and Sutton as they both loved stroking each other's egos! Glad I got to meet him...even for just a few minutes! God bless your family Skip!

[josephw000]

Some more Skip quotes, I'll update as the night goes on, mainly cuz he makes me smile, so enjoy them if you'd like.

"It's a partial sellout."
-Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray, trying not to say the game has only drawn 6,000 fans.

"The bases are loaded again, and I wish I was, too."
-Calling a game in 2006 where the Atlanta Braves bullpen was doing what it did best :)

"A little insurance never hurts..."
-Skip Caray

"You have our permission to turn off the TV and go to bed now ... as long as you promise to patronize our sponsors."
-Skip in the late innings of a lousy game in the lost season of 1979

"And like lambs to the slaughter, the Braves take the field."
-Skip, in the Braves heyday of the 80's.

[BGarrett7]

http://erniejohnson.org/images/ej019e.jpg

Gotta love this shot. For any Braves fans who were around before the bandwagon... These are your guys.

[Chief Knockahoma]

:(

http://www.lopezandsheets.com/stuff/15 We'll Meet Again.mp3

[RockTheShow]

I don't think I was even alive then.

[smoltzistheman]

Thanks Chief!

[BGarrett7]

And if the game was being broadcast nationally on another network I would turn the sound down and turn on WSB radio.It's just what you do in the south. Doesn't matter if it's Skip, Pete or Larry... You turn the TV down and the radio up. It's something that I've unfortunately lost sight of over the past five or six years. I remember quite vividly when my wife and I first moved in together many years ago, during the '03 NLDS against the Cubs, having her look at me like I was a damned fool because I had to listen to my announcers during the games.

[josephw000]

It's just what you do in the south. Doesn't matter if it's Skip, Pete or Larry... You turn the TV down and the radio up. It's something that I've unfortunately lost sight of over the past five or six years. I remember quite vividly when my wife and I first moved in together many years ago, during the '03 NLDS against the Cubs, having her look at me like I was a damned fool because I had to listen to my announcers during the games.

makes me regret not doing the same honestly....I think I might start listening to the Braves guys do the play by play anymore. I don;t like missing on all the calls....Skip was a character though. I dunno anyone else like em.

[MSU Bulldog]

That's terrible. He was always my favorite announcer. My mom was always mad when she had to listen to Tim McCarver instead of Skip in the playoffs. What a family, what a man.

[Hammer]

RIP skip, we will always miss you and your voice.

http://www.skipcaray.com/

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

This is truly a sad day...I always enjoyed listening to Skip call the game, he always made the loses a little easier to handle...There have only been a few people that I've lost that I was close enough to that have hit me emotionally, but after all the years hearing him on television it's almost like losing part of your family...RIP SKIP...you are in a much better place now in deed...Best of wishes to Chip and the rest of the Carey family...I can already hear Ol' Skip putting in a word with the Big Man to get His Team turned around...

And once agian the saying comes true...Only the good die young...

[josephw000]

GEXikbDRuP4

An ATL commercial that Skip lends his voice too, lol...

[HTF]

Wow, just log on to the site and this is the 1st thing I see. Man this is horrible he was the voice of the Braves. Hell he was the Braves. Just sad, nothing else to say.

[MPH]

Most of us will remember Skip's voice for the rest of our lives. That single fact, all by itself, makes him immortal.

[atlbrvfan]

I like reading all of the stories posted about skip. Everyone is different, but many of our stories sound the same. I grew up in the country and we didnt have cable. My mom started working after my little brother was born and we had to stay with my grandmother. That was either 88 or 89 I cant remember, but I remember flipping through the channels one afternoon and hearing Skips voice. I wasnt even a baseball fan at the time, but that changed quickly. When I first started listening I was really young and thought Skip was pretty boring, but as I got older I realized he just had a really dry sense of humor. His jokes and sarcasm kept me laughing the whole game. Me and a friend of mine were talking the other day how it seems like time flies by, and hearing this news makes that more apparent. Skips voice symbolized not only Braves baseball to me, but it represented a huge part of my childhood and youth. Growing up in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas makes me truly thankful to Skip. If I didnt hear his voice that afternoon, I may be a Cardinal fan today. Thanks again Skip. RIP

[PhantomsCV]

If anyone lives in the Washington DC area, I would love to know what Don Sutton says tomorrow or the next game he does about Skip.

[timmy]

My memories of Skip go back to AM radio. I was raised in a home where we didn't have cable until I was in high school, so the only time I really got to watch games was at my dad's house on the weekends. But I always had the radio on, whether it was sitting in the den listening to a game, or going outside and shooting hoops while listening to the game, I had the radio on all summer. And of course it was always about hearing Skip and Pete. Nothing against Don or Joe, but listening to Skip was special to me.

My dad called me a few minutes ago, and we reminisced about Skip some. My dad's been listening to Skip since '78, so he's pretty shook up too. And it's like I told him, for my money, I'll take listening to Skip and Pete on the radio over anyone else. Maybe it's a homer thing to say, but that's what I'm familiar to and that's what I love.

Skip brought so many great memories to us, I don't even know where to begin. For so long I never knew the Braves finishing anywhere other than first place, and Skip was the person who brought those memories to life for me.

[JCStone7]

If anyone lives in the Washington DC area, I would love to know what Don Sutton says tomorrow or the next game he does about Skip.

Funny you should mention it, I was going to hear what he says about it.

[ATlinVA]

I'm completely devastated. Skip was by far my favorite broadcaster. He always had one or two hysterical moments in a game. His baseball knowledge was deep and insightful. I can't believe I won't be able to hear a game called by him ever again.

[josephw000]

If anyone lives in the Washington DC area, I would love to know what Don Sutton says tomorrow or the next game he does about Skip.

Oh lord, yah...another guy who I gew up listening too..I'm gonna hope to see it myself now that you mentioned it.

Very good article up on the AJC....touching.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/skip_caray_dies.html

I look forward to DOB's words tomorrow....

[JCStone7]

My memories of Skip go back to AM radio. I was raised in a home where we didn't have cable until I was in high school, so the only time I really got to watch games was at my dad's house on the weekends. But I always had the radio on, whether it was sitting in the den listening to a game, or going outside and shooting hoops while listening to the game, I had the radio on all summer. And of course it was always about hearing Skip and Pete. Nothing against Don or Joe, but listening to Skip was special to me.

My dad called me a few minutes ago, and we reminisced about Skip some. My dad's been listening to Skip since '78, so he's pretty shook up too. And it's like I told him, for my money, I'll take listening to Skip and Pete on the radio over anyone else. Maybe it's a homer thing to say, but that's what I'm familiar to and that's what I love.

Skip brought so many great memories to us, I don't even know where to begin. For so long I never knew the Braves finishing anywhere other than first place, and Skip was the person who brought those memories to life for me.

I know exactly what you mean, I bought the extra innings TV package but still found myself listening to Skip & Pete so I could hear their chemistry they've built over the years!

[timmy]

I know exactly what you mean, I bought the extra innings TV package but still found myself listening to Skip & Pete so I could hear their chemistry they've built over the years!

Honestly, more than anything I regret having not turned the radio on to listen to games as much these last few years. Listening to Skip was special, he could make me laugh through the worst of games. There's something special about listening to games on the radio, and Skip could bring a game to life for me like nobody else could.

[Chris4braves]

I echo so much of what everyone has said here. Practically every night from April to September of my chilhood, I invited Skip into my home. I felt like I knew him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Caray family during this very difficult time.

Question for the board: Did anyone happen to be watching the Angels/Yankees game this afternoon? Did Chip do the game all the way until the end? I'm just wondering if he finished the game even after learning of Skip's death. If he did, that is absolutely amazing. I don't know of very many people that could shake something so shocking off to finish performing their job duties.

[josephw000]

God how much sweeter does his call of that clincher in 92 sound now....I hear it now and get chills.

[hotcorner33]

Just wanted to drop by to pay respects to Skip.

I grew up listening to Skip call the games on TBS. He was an entertaining and affable broadcaster. I will miss him very much. My condolences go out to his wife and his children. RIP Skip.

I will never forget you, and you will be missed greatly.

:(

[HTF]

ESPNews is about to do a tribute to Skip.

[PhantomsCV]

ESPNews is about to do a tribute to Skip.

*#%)*@&@@%)@%&(@*) no ESPNews for me!

[HTF]

You have to be joking, they got Moore to talk about Skip. That's horrible.

[McCarroll21]

The whole segment was horrible. Skip would tell them it sucked.

[DoubleA_ron]

What an awful day, Skip was the voice of my childhood.

[tnbravesgirly7]

I didn't get to see the clip, maybe I'll catch it later. I just wanted to say he'll be missed and I'll remember the family in my thoughts and prayers :)

[DoubleA_ron]

If anyone lives in the Washington DC area, I would love to know what Don Sutton says tomorrow or the next game he does about Skip.

I'm here for the next couple of days. I've never heard Don mention the Braves before, but you would think he would have to do something.

[BravesfaninNC]

Wow i just got home.This is is so sad to hear that Skip die.Skip was my favorite voices.I always love it when he talk about the this fan GA catch the ball.It was always fun to watch him call games on TBS even when the braves played bad because you know that Skip would make it fun.This year when the braves move from TBS to PTV i always look forward to hear Skip Voice on PTV calling a game.Braves baseball will never be the some without you.Enjoy calling braves game from Haven Skip:(:(:angel::angel::angel:

[McCarroll21]

The Nationals will start about an hour before we do tomorrow night, so it should give a little bit of time for those of us who can to watch and see. I have a feeling we'll see a lot of people talking about Skip tomorrow.

[BGarrett7]

You have to be joking, they got Moore to talk about Skip. That's horrible.What an embarrassment.

[McCarroll21]

"You sit back and as a Brave, and anybody affiliated with the Braves, you wonder what else could happen to this team this year. It's been one blow after another."

-- Chipper Jones

[HTF]

"You sit back and as a Brave, and anybody affiliated with the Braves, you wonder what else could happen to this team this year. It's been one blow after another."

-- Chipper Jones

sad but true

[lilsnatch07]

The Nationals will start about an hour before we do tomorrow night, so it should give a little bit of time for those of us who can to watch and see. I have a feeling we'll see a lot of people talking about Skip tomorrow.

I'm sure he'll be a topic on Mike & Mike in the morning tomorrow when I wake up.

I feel the exact same way everyone else around here does. I loved listening to Skip on TBS (the only place I could hear him since im in NY). When I read the news on the ticker of ESPN I was shocked and saddened.....

[SamtheBravesFan]

I was lucky to develop an interest baseball in 1991, and I heard Skip Caray the whole way. I always demanded that the Braves game be put on on the radio if we were on the road and I listened to Skip, Don, Pete and Joe. From listening to the games to watching them on TV in my room, I surely won't forget Skip.

Skip was a straight-forward guy when it came to the game. He told you exactly what was going on; no strings attached. I think that's how I'll remember him most.

How much do you guys want to bet he's correcting his dad's pronunciation of names as they call games together in Heaven? :angel: :)

[dogmanx23]

man i just read through every post here.. Made tear up all over again. Ive been a brave fan since 1990 the first team i saw play on tv and skip was the best.. Its really a sad day for the braves everything else going on this season just took a back seat. When you talk about Skip you put Bobby Cox, JS, Chipper Jones, Smotlzy all in the same sentence he was a norm when it came to braves baseball.

[Redman5006]

Braves baseball will not be the same, thoughts and prayers to his family. May he rest in peace.

[McCarroll21]

Braves baseball will not be the same, thoughts and prayers to his family. May he rest in peace.
Great way to make your first post on our site! Hope to see you come back often and make yourself a regular. :beer:

[Lemons]

RIP Skip

I'm going to miss hearing him.

[TheMatrix31]

Wow.

I really don't know what to say. My brother texted me and I had no idea about it. It's just unbelievable. I haven't been this affected by a non-familial death in a long time.

Actually, screw that. Skip Caray was family to me. He was family to all of us. We all remember coming home from school or work and turning on the TV or radio to hear his friendly voice. We all remember his uncanny ability to make us laugh, even when our team was down 13-2. We all remember his unwillingness to conform and his desire to make every Braves experience a memorable one.

He was one of the last links I have to my childhood, and now, he will surely "dance in the streets" of heaven.

R.I.P. Skip, you were the best.

[jonsmoltz]

Wow.
RIP Skip.

I'll never forget Skip - he really made the game come alive on the radio for me, my family didnt have a TV growing up so when I became a braves fan I listened to about 99% of the regular season games on the radio - skip was always my favorite announcer. You will be missed Skip - glad you went quietly - hope there was no pain and you are in a better place!

[BravesUk]

I started watching the Braves on MLB.tv in 2003, so my knowledge of Skip is a lot shorter than most.....

I loved the way he called a game :) I looked forward to any home game that bit more because I knew they would use the "home feed"

He was a total professional, both knowledgeable & humorous....


So sorry he has passed :mad:

So thank you, the voice of the Braves, you brought a lot of light into a lot of lives.....

May you Rest In Peace :angel::angel:

[BravesFan7689]

This really saddens me. I grew up listening to Skip. I was born in 1988 so I missed his years when he made the horrible years worth listening to.

I remember them showing the booth during Thursday's game when Joe Simpson and Chip Carey were broadcasting and it showed them poking fun of Skip eating up there and I never would have thought that 3 days later I'd be hearing of his passing.

I'll always remember Skip as my favorite announcer of the Braves, and will really miss him doing the broadcasts.

[Smoothcat]

I've lurked around the board here for a while but never felt the need to post, even after all the troubles the Braves have been through this year. I guess this was finally enough to draw me out of hiding. I heard about Skip passing just before I went to bed last night, and wasn't able to sleep very much.

I started listening to Skip, Joe, Pete, and Don in 1991 when I was 8 years old. Heck of a time to get started, huh? Though I have a lot of respect for Pete and Don (especially Pete), Skip and Joe were my favorite tandem. They didn't sound like announcers; just two old friends watching and talking about a baseball game. That informality and joking nature helped make them feel more like family, I guess.

I also got WGN on cable at the time and would watch Harry Caray with a curious eye. He was one of a kind, for sure. I guess as I watched Harry broadcast deep into his 80s, I always assumed that Skip would do the same thing for the Braves. I certainly didn't want him to be butt of jokes like Harry became towards the end, but I didn't want to imagine a Braves game without him. The last couple of years have been harder to watch on TV, as though Joe was there Skip was often not. I remember excitedly turning on a Peachtree game a few weeks ago to hear Skip and Joe teamed up once again. Never thought it would be the last time I'd hear them together.

RIP Skip. I'll never forget how you introduced me to baseball. I'll certainly miss you.

[jones2510]

..for a farewell..

/media/sid.mp3

RIP Skip :(


I was little when this happen but once I was old enough to understand baseball that was just a great play to watch and listen to skip.

[BravoJones]

Really sad news, he will always be loved by us all in the Braves world. He is now somewhere drinking a cold one with Harry.

[BamaDawg]

RIP Skip, just a few short weeks ago you may had your best line ever,"the bases are loaded, and I wish I was" thanks for the memories. Now go enjoy a cold Budweiser with your Dad.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I started listening to Skip, Joe, Pete, and Don in 1991 when I was 8 years old. Heck of a time to get started, huh? Though I have a lot of respect for Pete and Don (especially Pete), Skip and Joe were my favorite tandem. They didn't sound like announcers; just two old friends watching and talking about a baseball game. That informality and joking nature helped make them feel more like family, I guess.

I also got WGN on cable at the time and would watch Harry Caray with a curious eye. He was one of a kind, for sure.

That describes my situation too. :beer: Glad you decided to post.
We'll all miss Skip, but we'll always remember him.

[pscampbe]

As an Auburn grad and fan, I still miss Jim Fyffe, and I will now miss Skip Caray. His dry wit kept any game interesting.

Just this past week, as he and Pete were doing the game with the Cardinals on the radio, some mention was made of Dan Uggla (who, I think had just hit a home run for the Marlins) and Skip (with Mark Lemke sitting in the booth) asked Pete, "Would you compare his (Uggla's) power to Mark Lemke's?" Both began laughing under their breath, then Skip said, "He (Mark) didn't hear me, did he?" There was more laughter, the game went on for a minute, then Skip said, "Mark tells me I'm still number one."

Other favorites of mine was a game several years ago with the Cubs. I can't remember who was pitching for the Cubs, but he was taking forever between pitches and Skip had made mention of it. Then, apparently, he resorted to looking around the stands in between pitches and noticed some of the female fans in attendance. Then he said, "Boy it's a beautiful night at the old ballpark, Joe...and the weather isn't bad either."

I heard about a similar moment second hand from Johnny Isley (better known as John Boy) when he, Billy, comedian Tim Wilson, and former director of TBS Sports Terry Hanson were discussing Skip several years ago (I think during the 1996 World Series). Johnny said that he was watching a TBS game one day and as the broadcast came back from the first commercial break before the first pitch, the camera was following a "well endowed" woman in a halter top as she was walking to her seat. No one was saying anything until Skip broke the silence saying, "Well, we almost had two out before the game even started!"

And we've probably all seen the time that Skip accurately predicted that Jeffrey Leonard would ground into a double play:

"John Wayne and Rio Lobo are coming up next, just as soon as Jeffrey Leonard hits into a 6-4-3." (CRACK!) "Six...four...three!"

I'm really going to miss Skip.

[MLB1510]

I'm really going to miss Skip. I grew up listening to the games on the radio and when I was a little kid I always got Pete, Don, and Joe's voices mixed up... but I always recognized Skip as my favorite.

Anybody remember the "Cat's Eye" contest on Turner South a few years ago? The contest he and Chip just made up during the game? What a terrible movie, but I'm sure there were many people like me who stayed up and entered the contest.

And I remember one time on TBS when the movie "The Patriot" was next, and Skip joked that Mel Gibson was warming up in the bullpen, throwing tomahawks.

[JGinLA]

We go back to the Milo and Ernie days ("Braves Radio is on the air!"). Many nights patrolling the highways, listening to WSB 300 miles away. Rare visits to the stadium with our radios and fresh batteries. Skip was great from start to finish.
My last on-camera memory of Skip will be when he walked into the TV booth last week wearing a sly smile and stole their pizza.
:angel:

[crossxcheck]

I am going to sorely miss hearing Skip's voice. My condolences to his family.

[JCStone7]

From DOB:


There’s a gaping hole in Braves Nation today, a collective sadness as we reflect upon and mourn the passing of the inimitable Skip Caray.

I didn’t get to cover the Braves when Ted Turner owned the team, and regret that whenever I hear the many stories about the colorful, boisterous billionaire Mouth of the South.

But I did get to spend more than six years on the beat while Skip Caray was in the broadcast booth. My life is a hell of a lot richer for it.

This was an original, folks, and that’s a huge understatement.

[mdaniel]

I woke up to this headline on espn.com, and have been reading stories and quotes ever since. To think about how many hours of my life have been spent listening to Skip call games really makes me tear up.

Rest in Peace Skip, put in a good word for us next season, and thanks for all the great memories. =]

[BravoJones]

When I first heard this last night I shed a few tears. He was the voice of my childhood and the voice that gave us what is more than just a team. This is awful. I loved him and I'm sure the Braves community will never be the same. But the Braves as an organization are much better off because of Skip's contributions.

[BGarrett7]

Goodbye Skip Caray, animal lover (http://pets.yourajc.com/2008/08/04/good-bye-skip-caray-animal-lover/?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab) (AJC Pets)
We'll miss Skip something fierce (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/08/04/well_miss_skip.html) (DOB)

[timmy]

Skip Carey did it his way (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bradley/entries/2008/08/03/skip_caray_did_it_his_way.html) Mark Bradley

Don't know if this article has been posted yet, but it really got to me. It reminded me of how much Skip hated the wave.

[TheMatrix31]

As an Auburn grad and fan, I still miss Jim Fyffe, and I will now miss Skip Caray. His dry wit kept any game interesting.

Just this past week, as he and Pete were doing the game with the Cardinals on the radio, some mention was made of Dan Uggla (who, I think had just hit a home run for the Marlins) and Skip (with Mark Lemke sitting in the booth) asked Pete, "Would you compare his (Uggla's) power to Mark Lemke's?" Both began laughing under their breath, then Skip said, "He (Mark) didn't hear me, did he?" There was more laughter, the game went on for a minute, then Skip said, "Mark tells me I'm still number one."

Other favorites of mine was a game several years ago with the Cubs. I can't remember who was pitching for the Cubs, but he was taking forever between pitches and Skip had made mention of it. Then, apparently, he resorted to looking around the stands in between pitches and noticed some of the female fans in attendance. Then he said, "Boy it's a beautiful night at the old ballpark, Joe...and the weather isn't bad either."

I heard about a similar moment second hand from Johnny Isley (better known as John Boy) when he, Billy, comedian Tim Wilson, and former director of TBS Sports Terry Hanson were discussing Skip several years ago (I think during the 1996 World Series). Johnny said that he was watching a TBS game one day and as the broadcast came back from the first commercial break before the first pitch, the camera was following a "well endowed" woman in a halter top as she was walking to her seat. No one was saying anything until Skip broke the silence saying, "Well, we almost had two out before the game even started!"

And we've probably all seen the time that Skip accurately predicted that Jeffrey Leonard would ground into a double play:

"John Wayne and Rio Lobo are coming up next, just as soon as Jeffrey Leonard hits into a 6-4-3." (CRACK!) "Six...four...three!"

I'm really going to miss Skip.

Those are some awesome quotes. Man, I'm gonna miss him.

[skeeter07]

I loved to listen to him . he was great . Prayers to the family

[Snake Plissken]

Not much to add to this thread that hasn't been said already. Caray was my all-time favorite announcer out of all my favorite sports teams; he will be greatly missed.

Now I know why my friend was calling my phone late last night...

I will cherish the memories I had as a kid, tuning into Braves games every night and listening to one of the greatest announcers ever, Skip Caray.

[HTF]

For those who didn't see Woody Paige said some nice words about Skip and the Caray family in his final words of the Around the Horn show, I thought that was pretty nice.

[Smoothcat]

For those who didn't see Woody Paige said some nice words about Skip and the Caray family in his final words of the Around the Horn show, I thought that was pretty nice.

Agreed. I haven't watched ESPN all day today, but I've been disappointed with the talking heads seeming to gloss over this story. Whether as Braves fans or not, I'm sure there are a lot of baseball fans out there that heard Skip throughout his run on TBS. I'm not an ESPN (or is it FavreSPN these days?) hater, I would just like to see some better tributes to the man. Certainly we could take a moment to quit talking about the Packers' quarterback and do that, couldn't we?

And FWIW, I missed the video that somebody earlier in this thread mentioned as running on ESPNews. Hopefully it was well done.

[GrandMasterB]

For those who didn't see Woody Paige said some nice words about Skip and the Caray family in his final words of the Around the Horn show, I thought that was pretty nice.

It's re-airing on ESPN2 right now for anyone who wants to see it and missed it.

[McCarroll21]

For the rest of time, August 12 will be known on Braves-Nation.com as Skip Caray Day (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-8-12&c=1).

[BrwnEyedGal1007]

This is just really sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I remember growing up listening to him on TV. I use to sit in my daddys lap watching the game and listening to him. Those were the days....

[josephw000]

For the rest of time, August 12 will be known on Braves-Nation.com as Skip Caray Day (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-8-12&c=1).

Good call Mc.

[McCarroll21]

Good call Mc.
Credit to GMB, I just put it in place.

[Nasadega]

Dammit! Skip was one of the first things I discovered along with the Braves, and he sure helped me becoming a fan. I remember his calls in summer day games in 2005, back when I didn't understand much of the broadcasts.
Thanks for the fun Skip, RIP. :(

[GrandMasterB]

Caray's wife says he died while feeding birds (http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/04/caray_wife_death.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21)

In the article it states this:She said he did not feel like going to Turner Field for games over the weekend. Moments before spotting him on the ground in the backyard late Sunday afternoon, she had talked on the phone with his doctor and made plans for him to be examined on Monday morning.
It's just strange how things work out sometimes.

[gobravez]

I posted this in the gamethread, but since this is Skips thread I thought I'd post it in here as well. it's my first ever attempt at making one of these things:

YgtUjwaObRg

[MLB1510]

This quote says alot about how Skip was treated by TBS in his final years, that Paula mentioned it:

"She also said Skip Caray should have been treated better in recent years by his long-time employer, Turner Broadcasting.

"I absolutely cannot believe [TBS] did what they did to him," Paula Caray said. Loyalty and respect go a long way, and I think they showed neither one."

[BGarrett7]

I understand those feelings, but at the same time: business is business.

[dogmanx23]

I was watching Sportscenter today and they did a small piece on Skip.. they showed the world series win.. my girl was here and i teared up.. she didn't care that i teared up tho she understands how much the braves mean to me.

[elvanvitar]

for anyone that wants to see the final word that Paige had on ATH you can go here

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3519270&categoryId=2957349&n8pe6c=2

[GrandMasterB]

Braves recall their friend Caray (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/04/braves_caray_team.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newsta b)San Francisco — A few hours after hearing Skip Caray had died, some of the Braves broadcaster's friends gathered late Sunday at Lefty O'Doul's, a venerable watering hole across the street from the team hotel in downtown San Francisco.


Broadcasters Pete Van Wieren and Joe Simpson, radio producer Jake Cook and others were coming to grips with the unexpected news, which they got during the team's long flight from Atlanta. Van Wieren and Caray spent some time in O'Doul's during their 33-year Braves broadcast partnership.


"Will [Ohman, Braves reliever] came over to the bar and said, 'What was Skip's favorite drink in his drinking days?' " Van Wieren said. "I said, 'Double Dewar's on the rocks.' And Will ordered a shot of Dewar's for everybody."


Van Wieren said, "That was our tribute, if you want to call it that."
-----

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but I just got around to reading it. Pretty cool move by Ohman. There's some more to the story, but I just wanted to get the main part of it.

[HTF]

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but I just got around to reading it. Pretty cool move by Ohman. There's some more to the story, but I just wanted to get the main part of it.

That is pretty cool, Ohman seems like the perfect teammate. Kinda glad we didn't trade him if we're gonna compete in 09.

[gobravez]

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/08/ernie-johnson-and-turner-sports-tribute.html

[TheMatrix31]

Awesome move on Ohman's part!

[Nic]

Skip Caray, more than any other figure in sports, will forever stand out in my mind. He was the voice of my childhood. I want to say a huge thank you to Skip for being there to turn memorable games into magical moments that will forever live on in the hearts of Braves fans. He will never be replaced.

[BGarrett7]

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/06/39/67/slideshow_667396_carrying.jpg

Chipper, Frenchy and Mac were amongst the pallbearers.

[JCStone7]

Whew it's tough looking at that pic

[gobravez]

The Tribute This Morning at Turner Field.
(http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=809802&w=/2008/open/teams08/atl/video/081208_caray_tribute_400.wmv&pid=gen_video&vid=1&mid=200808123295432&cid=mlb&fid=gen_video400&v=2)

[josephw000]

The Tribute This Morning at Turner Field.
(http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=809802&w=/2008/open/teams08/atl/video/081208_caray_tribute_400.wmv&pid=gen_video&vid=1&mid=200808123295432&cid=mlb&fid=gen_video400&v=2)

Just watched it though....I was teared up the whole way through....

[McCarroll21]

For those that may have missed the WGST tribute to Skip, here it is.

http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/30257/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/30257/1153/richmedia/Remembering_Skip_(revised).mp3

There's more on the WGST website (http://wgst.com/pages/skip_caray_tribute.html).

[HTF]

For those that may have missed the WGST tribute to Skip, here it is.

http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/30257/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/30257/1153/richmedia/Remembering_Skip_(revised).mp3

There's more on the WGST website (http://wgst.com/pages/skip_caray_tribute.html).

Great stuff McCarroll Thanks a lot.

[CB1]

Just wanted to mention how I went to the memorial serivce at the Ted, and it was absolutely beautiful. When the bag piper got out there and started playing "Amazing Grace", I started bawling. It was interesting seeing a crowd bigger than a Marlins game in Dolphin Stadium would usually get on average (there were like 1K people or so there), so it was nice. I got to talk to Pete afterwards, and it was so cool.