Hello again everybody, Harray Caray back at the ballpark, with Steve Stone and Thom Brenneman...

Something about that line warms you up on a February morning, doesn't it?   Today, February 18th, marks the 10 year anniversary of Harry Caray's passing.  It's hard to believe it's been that long.  Even so, Harry's legacy still hovers over the Cubs, WGN and all of baseball for that matter. 

Today we are excited to try out something a little different by offering up some fantastic Harry Caray quotes for your listening pleasure.  This column originally ran in the summer of 2007, but we figured it was time once again to bring it to the forefront - it has been 10 years since Harry left us, after all.  

From a game between the Phillies and Cubs on September 21st, 1997, Harry signed off for the final time.  Do yourself a favor and take the time to listen to his narration of the contest with the quotes below.  In typical Harry Caray fashion, it will be entertaining: you’ll laugh, you’ll get sentimental, and you’ll have a good time.

And hey welcome back to the ballpark!

It Might Be, It Could Be, IT IS!
For Harry’s final telecast, the Cubs launched 4 home runs off the Phillies, 3 of which came via Curt Schilling deliveries.  Lance Johnson kicked things off with 4th homer as a Cub, even though Harry announced it as the first.  Sure; but there are a lot of ways you can interpret "first":

"There’s a drive, way back!"

Now here’s Dave Hansen:

The last home run ever announced by Harry was hit by utility man ____ ____. 

Now you know (and knowing is half the battle).

Startling Revelations
If nothing else, the Harry Caray experience was enhanced by the fact that most baseball games were incidental to his presence in the booth.  Any time Harry started off a statement with “Ya know” or “Hey!”, it was likely that what ensued had nothing to do with the play on the field. 

Harry, enlighten us to the importance of striking out 10 plus batters in a game:
“Ya know, when you strike out ten… think of it this way…

What’s so funny about the name of pitcher Ryan Karp?
“Ya know, you would expect that his name should be Karp Ryan…

Of course, just because some Caray statements failed to start with “Ya know” didn't mean they lacked any comedic weight.

“Tony Gwynn… his average is point three six nine nine (.3699).  Second, is Larry Walker at point three six nine six (.3696).  What are those, hundreds of thousandths to the forth…

”There's an Arne Harris Hat Shot of the Year…

A comment about Cubs and White Sox fans sitting together is a perfect time for Harry to laugh before and after his statement.

Fun with Tom Arnold
Before he hopped on the Best Damn trainwreck, Tom Arnold starred (loose use of the term) in “The Tom Show” on WGN.  It debuted in the fall of ’97, so Tommy stopped by the booth to promote the show and talk baseball.  However, Harry Caray was conducting the interview, so naturally, he brought up Arnold’s divorce from Roseanne:

“If you don’t mind me saying so…”

I added this next clip mainly because the time it takes for Harry to talk about The Tom Show and the night which it airs is quite distant.  It made me chuckle.

Fun with Cubs Personalities
In what was also Ryne Sandberg’s last game at Wrigley Field, the WGN crew spotted a fan in the stands with a sign that read "Ryno for Mayor"

Shortstop Manny Alexander, whom Harry often called “Danny” (as in this example), missed a flyball in the sun.  Hilarity spews from the mouths of Harry and cynical partner Steve Stone.
 
A few words for his partner of 15 years, Steve Stone:
”I just wanted to tell ya...”

On Booze and Ice Cream
Some media members attribute athlete achievements to steroids or banned substances.  Harry Caray attributed Hack Wilson’s record setting RBI season to alcohol sleep deprivation.

If you give Harry Caray a dish of ice cream during a baseball game, odds are, he’s going to discuss all the details of the experience.  Who needs the play by play of Mark Grace’s at bat, anyway?  And did the Wrigley crew slip some alcohol into the ice cream.  Harry seemed to think so.

Harry’s Parting Shots
In the 4th inning, talking about baseball:
“Everybody wants to win.  But the fans know one team is going to win and one team’s going to lose even before they get to the ballpark..."

"Steve, STOP taking this game so seriously!"

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

"It’s a heartwarming spectacle"

 

Welcome Back to the Ballpark was written by Pat Imig.  He's wearing oversized glasses and drinking Budweiser right now.  Email him at patrick@joesportsfan.com

Updated: Harry tributes from around the Web...

Harry Caray gone 10 years?  Holy Cow! [Chicago Sports]

Dutchie Caray on Harry [Daily Herald]

Details on Comcast Sports' all-day special [Daily Herald]

The Wit and Wisdom of Harry Caray [Home Run Derby]