Harry Caray
The gravelly voice that turned Wrigley Field into a sing-along and defined Cubs fandom for decades.
Harry Caray didn't just call Cubs games—he became part of Wrigley Field itself. From 1982 to 1997, his gravelly baritone was the soundtrack to Chicago summers, transforming radio and television broadcasts into something akin to sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with friends in the bleachers. Though he'd already made his mark calling Cardinals and Athletics games, it was here at Wrigley where he found his true home: singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" before every seventh-inning stretch, shouting "Holy Cow!" at every spectacular play, and making 38,000 strangers feel like family.
- Role:
- Play-by-Play Announcer
- Primary Affiliation:
- Chicago Cubs (1982–1997)
- Signature Trademark:
- "Holy Cow!" and Leading the Seventh-Inning Stretch
- Broadcast Partner:
- Jack Brickhouse (early years), Steve Stone (later years)
- Status:
- Deceased (February 18, 1998)
- Hall of Fame Induction:
- Ford C. Frick Award (National Baseball Hall of Fame)
Lore & Background
Caray's broadcasting signature was his explosive "Holy Cow!"—a phrase borrowed from mentor Red Barber but delivered with such genuine wonder it became uniquely his own. His voice didn't just describe games; it colored them, painting Wrigley Field in shades of nostalgia and hope. Even after a debilitating stroke in 1987 left him partially paralyzed on one side, he returned to the booth within months, refusing to let illness silence his connection to the fans. When he passed in February 1998, it felt like losing a member of every Cubs family that had tuned in for fifteen seasons.
In Their Own Story
The late summer sun dipped below the water tower on Sheffield Avenue as Harry Caray adjusted his headset in the press box. Below him, the roar of the crowd swelled with the familiar rhythm of a classic Wrigley evening. He leaned into the microphone, his voice raspy yet warm, cutting through the din. "Holy Cow!" he shouted, watching a deep fly ball sail toward the bleachers. The stadium erupted as the ball cleared the wall. As the seventh inning approached, Harry stood up, tapping his bat against the railing. The crowd fell into a hushed anticipation before he began, his voice rising in the familiar melody: 'Take me out to the ball game...' For two minutes, 38,000 strangers sang as one, their voices blending with the chirping of crickets and the crack of the bat, guided by the man who made them feel like family.
Reader's Guide
Harry Caray's era at the Chicago Cubs spanned from 1982 to 1997, a period that saw the team navigate through rebuilding years and playoff pushes, including the memorable 1984 division title run. His broadcasting style was defined by pure, unfiltered joy and a deep connection with the audience. Unlike many broadcasters who focused heavily on statistics or technical analysis, Caray focused on the emotion of the moment, making every home run feel like a personal victory for the listener.
His greatest achievement was arguably not a specific broadcast call, but the creation of a cultural institution at Wrigley Field. By institutionalizing the seventh-inning stretch sing-along, he gave fans an active role in the game that transcended generations. He made baseball accessible and fun, ensuring that even those who knew nothing about the strike zone could feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Did You Know?
- Harry Caray was one of only two broadcasters to win the Ford C. Frick Award twice (once for St. Louis and once for Chicago).
- He famously wore a red Cubs cap in the booth, even during road games, which became his signature look.
- Caray's famous catchphrase 'Holy Cow!' was originally popularized by his mentor, the legendary Red Barber, but Caray made it his own at Wrigley.
- After his death, the Cubs retired his number 90 in a special ceremony, honoring him as one of the greatest figures in franchise history.