Harry Caray

The gravelly-voiced Cubs icon who led fans in 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'.

Harry Christopher Caray (March 1, 1914 – February 18, 1998) was an American radio and television sportscaster. During his career he called the play-by-play for five Major League Baseball teams, beginning with 25 years of calling the games of the St. Louis Cardinals (with two of those years also spent calling games for the St. Louis Browns). After a year working for the Oakland Athletics and 11 years with the Chicago White Sox, Caray spent the last 16 years of his career as the announcer for the Chicago Cubs.

Quick Facts

Position: Broadcaster
Born: 1 March 1914
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died: 18 February 1998
Place of death: Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Highlights: Ford C. Frick Award (1989); National Radio Hall of Fame (1990)

Lore & Background

Caray was born Harry Christopher Carabina to an Italian father and Romanian mother in St. Louis. He was 14 when his mother, Daisy Argint, died from complications due to pneumonia. Caray did not have much recollection of his father, who went off to fight in World War I. Caray went to live with his uncle John Argint and Aunt Doxie at 1909 LaSalle Avenue. He attended high school at Webster Groves High School.

In his youth, Caray was a talented baseball player, and was offered a roster spot by the University of Alabama. Due to financial woes, Caray could not accept. Caray then tried to enlist into the Armed Forces, but was denied due to his poor eyesight. Unable to play baseball professionally, he sold gym equipment before investigating announcing as a way to stay involved in the game.

He then spent a few years learning the trade at radio stations in Joliet, Illinois, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. While in Joliet, WCLS station manager Bob Holt suggested that Harry change his surname from Carabina to Caray.

Reader's Guide

Caray caught his break when he landed a job with the National League St. Louis Cardinals in 1945. He teamed with former major-league catcher Gabby Street to call Cardinals games through 1950, as well as those of the American League St. Louis Browns in 1945 and 1946. His subsequent partners in the Cardinals' booth included Stretch Miller, Gus Mancuso, Milo Hamilton, Joe Garagiola, and Jack Buck. Immediately preceding the Cardinals job, Caray announced hockey games for the St. Louis Flyers.

In November 1968, Caray was nearly killed after being struck by an automobile while crossing a street in St. Louis; he suffered two broken legs. Following the 1969 season, the Cardinals declined to renew Caray's contract after 25 seasons. He spent one season broadcasting for the Oakland Athletics in 1970. Caray joined the Chicago White Sox in 1971.

During his tenure with the White Sox, Caray was teamed with many color analysts, including Bob Waller, Bill Mercer, and J. C. Martin. In 1976, Caray had Jimmy Piersall as a guest in the White Sox booth, and Piersall was hired as Caray's partner beginning in 1977. Caray left the White Sox after the 1981 season. He joined the Chicago Cubs for the 1982 season.

In February 1987, Caray suffered a stroke while at his winter home near Palm Springs, California, just prior to spring training for the Cubs.