With hundreds of onlookers, including a man covered in ivy, singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, the foul ball made famous by Steve Bartman in the 2003 NLCS playoffs is blown up at Harry Caray’s restaurant in Chicago. The infamous ball’s demise is executed by Cubs’ die-hard fan Michael Lantieri, an Oscar Award winner who has worked on similar special effects in the movies Jurassic Park and Back to the Future.
On February 18 1998 — Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray dies four days after collapsing at a Valentine’s Day supper. Caray, age 84, after suffering a heart attack four days earlier while having Valentine’s Day dinner with his wife, Dutchie. The colorful “Mayor of Rush Street” started his career in 1945 with the Cardinals and…
During a WGN pregame radio broadcast at Wrigley Field, Cubs announcer Harry Caray remarks to the team’s skipper Jim Riggleman, “Well, my eyes are slanty enough, how ’bout yours?”, referring to Hideo Nomo, the Japanese rookie hurler scheduled to start for the Dodgers. The veteran announcer, known for not backing off for his on-the-air off-handed comments, does issue an apology, calling the incident “unfortunate.”
On April 4, 1994, journeyman outfielder Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes of the Chicago Cubs blasts three home runs on Opening Day. Victimizing New York Mets right-hander Dwight Gooden, Rhodes becomes the first player in history to hit home runs in his first three at-bats of the season. In spite of Rhodes’ unexpected home run barrage, the Cubs lose the game, 12-8…
The Cubs fire their ball girl, Marla Collins, when it is revealed that she posed nude for Playboy magazine. The photos will appear in the October issue and accompany shots of Marla in her Cubs uniform and one of Harry Caray pointing to a tattoo on her right thigh. The Cubs win today, 6 – 4, behind Ed Lynch, who ties a National League record in the 1st inning by making three putouts. The record was set in 1975 by another Cub, Rick Reuschel.
On January 3, 1977, the Chicago White Sox announce the hiring of Mary Shane, who will become the first woman to do television play-by-play in major league history. Shane will team with two colorful personalities, Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall, for 20 broadcasts during the 1977 season. Shane will not return in 1978.
Chicago’s Dick Allen becomes the 4th major league player (Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, and Alex Johnson are the others) to hit one into the CF bleachers in Comiskey Park when he connects off New York’s Lindy McDaniel. The 2-run homer in the 7th ices the 5 – 2 win for the Sox. This year, all the Chicago Wednesday games are in the afternoon, and Harry Caray announces them while sitting in the CF bleachers. Allen’s drive misses Caray by just a few rows.
1968 – St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.
In a pregame ceremony with Harry Caray as the master of ceremonies, the Cardinals honor retiring outfielder Roger Maris. The former two-time MVP with the Yankees, who has never had his accomplishments recognized in the Bronx, thanks to the friendly Busch Stadium crowd and the team, remarking that his two seasons in St. Louis were his “most enjoyable years in baseball”.
Sporting News October 3,1951 Harry Caray And Mel Allen Named top play by play Broadcasters.Caray with the St. Louis Cardinals And Mel Allen voice of the New York Yankees. It would be Carays fourth award and Allen’s sixth. Both of these men were different and iconic in their own right. Unlike Mel Allen who served…