Results tagged ‘ Harry Caray ’
Raise a glass to Harry
Join the Cubs and Harry Caray’s Tavern tonight for the 15th Annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray. As is tradition, fans from around the world will raise a Budweiser (Harry’s drink of choice) or other beverage in the legendary broadcaster’s memory.
The toast to Harry Caray will take place Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. CST at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier. Hall of Famer Ernie Banks will join Dutchie Caray, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and other celebs to lead the toast.
This year’s toast is to “The Year of the Fan.” At 6 p.m., there will be a fireworks show over Lake Michigan, and guests will receive special hologram glasses that make the fireworks turn into thousands of little Harry images.
Over the years, more than five million fans from all 50 states and more than 100 countries have joined in the annual toast to the legendary broadcaster. If you can’t make it to Harry Caray’s tonight, just raise a glass to Harry at 5:30 p.m. local time anywhere in the world and tweet your toast using the hashtag #ToastToHarry. Go to the Harry Caray’s Facebook page for more info and participating locations around the country.
On This Date in 1998: Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray dies
Any baseball fan has made at least one attempt to do their best Harry Caray impression. But nobody could excite a crowd like the man himself.
Monday marks the 15th anniversary of the beloved Cubs broadcaster’s death. Best known for singing the seventh inning stretch as well as openly rooting for the home team, Caray will also be remembered for his quirks up in the booth including unintentionally botching players names. His infamous “Holy Cow” home run call is still used today on the right field scoreboard.
Prior to working with the Cubs in 1981, Caray worked in the booth for the White Sox, the Athletics, and for the Cardinals and Browns in St. Louis.
Caray was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 for his contributions to baseball. He was also inducted into both the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame as well as the National Radio Hall of Fame.
The Cubs still honor the broadcasting icon by having a guest sing the stretch at every home game. He died at the age of 83.
1000 Words: Harry and Ronnie
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The 28th Annual Cubs Convention kicks off Friday at a brand new location, the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. The event will welcome Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Jeff Samardzija, Darwin Barney, and more than 50 former, current and future Cubs.
This got us thinking about some of the greats who have graced past Conventions, like Harry and Ronnie. So who are you excited to see this year?
At home with Andre Dawson: 1987
Be sure to check out Vine Line’s landing page at http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/fan_forum/vineline.jsp
Yesterday was a historic day for former Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson. He finally was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame after being eligible for the past nine years. His baseball career has finally come home.
However, in December of 1987, Vine Line captured what life is like for Andre Dawson at home. Just months after his mammoth NL MVP season, Dawson invited staff photographer Steve Green to document his life with wife Vanessa for one weekend at his home in Miami. Green was able to capture the essence of the All-Star outfielder–his work ethic, his interests outside of baseball and his motivations to be the best.Green was the proverbial “fly on the wall”, observing Dawson while he worked out, and while he visited his grandmother’s grave.
Vine Line offers some of Steve Green’s most intriguing images from his visit:
Green witnessed first-hand Dawson’s complete dedication and famed work ethic. Despite knees ravaged by injury and the brutal effects of playing 11 seasons on Astroturf, and in the pre-bodybuilder age of baseball, Dawson still easily was one of the best-conditioned players in the major leagues. “
The man wan’t about fancy stuff,” Green said. ”He was into body-weight resistance and cutting up, not bulking up.”
A the gravesite of his grandmother, Eunice Taylor, Dawson and wife Vanessa freshen up some flowers.
“It was real respectful,” Green said. “It’s where he got his motivation and fortitude. He grew up not in a really great area. So she kept him on the straight and narrow.”
Dawson even did some gardening and even engaged in one of his favorite hobbies–coin collecting. But Dawson said he wanted to be a Cub, and the fans welcomed him with open arms.
“He wanted to come to the Cubs. He loved the experience at the ballpark,” Green said. ”He wanted the exposure because he felt like he didn’t get that in Montreal. He had become a star, hero over night. Harry [Caray] had touted him. He became an icon.”
–Mike Huang
