Mark Bradley

By The_Future

August 3, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

I can still remember his call on Bream’s slideslide like it was yesterday. As honest of an announcer as there ever was or will be. Can’t beat that….

RIP Skip

By A.J.

August 3, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

RIP Skip. I will think of you whenever i watch and listen to the braves!

By Brian Poe

August 3, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

The Future. You should go to the main AJC on-line sports page. They have graciously posted Skip’s call of the Bream run that put us in the World Series. It is one of the most magical calls in baseball history, and certainly one of the top 3 in Atlanta sports history.

By UGAFan

August 3, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

Great article, Mark. We will miss him terribly.

By Drayton Xavier

August 3, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

I agree with The Future. That call was an Atlanta sports classic, one of the top 3 or 4 in our city’s history. By the way, the AJC has graciously posted Skip’s call of the Bream run that catapulted the Bravos into the World Series in the earliest days of the Bobby Cox championship years.

By Big Brad CH 99

August 3, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

It won’t be quite the same. I loved listening to Skip, Pete, Joe, and Don call the games. Pete and Skip would do the 1st half on TV, and then go to the radio, while Don and Joe would do the 1st half on radio and then the TV, or vice versa.

We’ll miss ya Skip

By George P. Burdell

August 3, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

I’ll always cherish the entertaining calls, but my favorites were always the call in shows. I remember one caller asked “What is a walk-off homerun?”. He replied, “You hit a homerun, you walk off the field and end the game. It’s as simple as that, I don’t know how else to answer.”

He knew the game, he was a little surly, and he, despite growing up under another one, was one of a kind.

RIP Skip and you will always be there when we watch the Braves hit foul balls to someone from some small town in Georgia.

By Jeff H

August 3, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Goodbye Skip.

By Andrew

August 3, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

To the voice that was the soundtrack of many drives to and from work … many late nights at the office … many college-age evenings in a dorm or at a desk, studying … and many wonderful moments on the field that we will never forget … our eternal thanks. Many have called Braves games in the past, and many more will in the future, but only Skip and Pete are the voices of the Braves — and always will be. Rest in peace, Skip … your wit will be in our ears forever.

By Chicago Ray

August 3, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

Yet another beloved Carey family announcer leaves us and leaves the baseball community a little more boring and it’s glory days farther and farther away. May you Rest in peace with your father Harry…

By DHD

August 3, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

Thanks for 40 years of entertainment….through the good, bad and ugly, you were always fun. Thanks, Skip.

By Mr. Anderson

August 3, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

This makes it the worst Braves season ever. And yes, this made me cry.

By Bart

August 3, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

There will never be another Skip Carey. He was the voice of the Braves. Skip will be missed and never forgotten. My condolences to the Carey family.

By Bart

August 3, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

There will never be another Skip Carey. He was the voice of the Braves. Skip will be missed and never forgotten. My condolences to the Carey family.

By spotts

August 3, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe Skip’s gone…

By Boo Boo

August 3, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Skip would irritate the heck out of me by the way he would be the one to jinx the Braves, when a pitcher had a no-hitter going. He would say, “Okay, I’ll get this supersitition stuff out of the way now. (Fill-in-the-blank) has given up no hits so far, after 5 1/3 innings.” It always then followed, “There goes the no-hitter,” followed closely by, “There goes the shut out, so now we can focus on winning.”

By john letter

August 3, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

skip caray is by far the best sports announcer of all time….he made me a braves fan when i was a rabid phillies fan…he was the best sports announcer of all time and i am crying now that i know he has passed on..the greatest of his craft…..i will always respect him….he has millions of fans…skip we will miss you and never see another like you.

By John

August 3, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

As an Atlanta native that have been watching the Brave’s since the ’70s and listening to Skip when cable was just a gleam in Ted’s eye, I say: Skip, God bless you and your family. You are the best.

By Bart

August 3, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

There will never be another Skip Caray. He was the voice of the Braves. Skip will be missed and never forgotten. My condolences to the Caray family.

By ABravesFan

August 3, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

RIP Skip.

By Marty

August 3, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

I am a lifelong Braves fan who will be turning 29 in a few months. Although I’m not all that old, I’ve spent almost 25 of those years watching and listening to Atlanta Braves games — first, with my grandfather, who has now passed away, later with friends, and now sometimes with my wife. I hope someday to watch them with a son or daughter. Skip was, himself, like a grandfather, as strange as that sounds…always there to watch the Braves play with me, whether the game was good or a lost cause.

I’ve asked myself many times why I’ve bothered to keep watching or listening to the Braves when they are hopelessly behind. Of course, the answer is not just because I am a diehard fan, but because I love listening to Skip, Pete, and Joe. I’m not ashamed to say that I actually shed a tear when I heard the news this evening.

Things just won’t be the same without you, Skip. I hope that you are in a better place. We will miss you dearly.

By jojajacket

August 3, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

Thank you Skip.

By jmann

August 3, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Losing Skip Carey is one of those things where you don’t know just how much you miss him until he leaves. If only that for so many years he was the fifth voice in a house of four and one of the last of the long-term voice-of-the-team announcers.

A Skip Carey couldn’t have made it into the seat he sat in for 33 years had he started today. Not network-asthetic enough. Too glib. Too nasal a voice. Fortunately, those things didn’t exist at the time, because otherwise we never would have known what we had at all.

By Pete in Fort Myers

August 3, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

I’ll never forget the call Skip used until Ted Turner made him quit saying it: “We’ve come to the bottom of another fifth.”

By sjs1959

August 3, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

he made Braves baseball Must-See TV before NBC thought of the term. He made bad baseball delightful and entertaining, and soared with the Braves to greatness in the ’90s. This is a loss from which it will be difficult for the Braves to recover.

R.I.P. Skip and condolences to his family and fans and his co-workers.

By MightyQuinn

August 3, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

I turned 50 three weeks ago and Skip has been there since I was 17, thats 66 per cent of my life. I enjoyed his call of Hawks games as much as baseball, with his declaration of “Its cocktail hour!” when the Hawks would win. But the humor was what was best, especially on the radio where the reigns were always a little looser. But the funniest moment I will always remember was the summer of ‘85 in L.A. The cameraman was showing a shot of a woman walking down the aisle in a neon green bikini. When she turned to go to her seat she showed a thong (unheard of 23 years ago) Skip and Pete got very quiet till Skip snickered,”That reminds of the butcher who backed into a saw and got a little behind in his work!” I fell out of my seat laughing. Godspeed, Skip Carey, you will never be forgotten.

By Shannon

August 3, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

I will still always hear Skip tell me that a fan from Lilburn, Hapeville, Greenville, or Birmingham got a souvenir with every foul ball. I will feel the pain of not hearing that wonderful familiar voice that’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember. He’s a part of all of our families and he will be missed.

By Steven

August 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I moved to Atlanta and went to my first baseball game in 1977, a year after Skip began broadcasting games for the Braves.

I was fortunate to attend the only playoff game in Atlanta when we played the St Louis Cardinals in 1982 and went to several of the NLCS and World Series games in the 1990’s.

Listening to Skip on the television and radio was like listening to your family. It was comfortable, sarcastic, soothing, funny and constant.

Skip made an art of announcing baseball games in an age when others just like to hear themselves on the air.

Here’s the pitch Skip…we’re going to miss you.

By Rob

August 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I am so shaken up. I loved listening to him. He was always there and always made the games fun. He was a large part of my summers. I know tomorrow I will listen to the game and I will miss him. Braves baseball will never be the same.

Braves fans should wear black to the next homegame.

By Bruce Beaulieu

August 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I left this for the family on the AJC’s guest book page.

Goodbye Skip. It has been quite a ride. Thanks for the lifts along the way.

I will always remember your “What’s green and white and red” joke during a ballgame in the 70’s (answer “a frog in a blender”).

You did it your way, you left your mark and for this you will be remembered. We all know that this wasn’t necessarily unexpected-your health has been too poor lately. I am sure that you were proud of the legacy that you have left behind.

A life well lived sir! I salute you!

Your family is not alone in their grief. Thanks for sharing Skip with us.

By Adele Ward

August 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you Mark Bradley for an excellent memorial of Skip Carey. I will miss Skip’s work. I sought the radio broadcast when he was announcing. Watch tv but listen to Skip. Rest in Peace Skip Adele

By Steven

August 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I moved to Atlanta and went to my first baseball game in 1977, a year after Skip began broadcasting games for the Braves.

I was fortunate to attend the only playoff game in Atlanta when we played the St Louis Cardinals in 1982 and went to several of the NLCS and World Series games in the 1990’s.

Listening to Skip on the television and radio was like listening to your family. It was comfortable, sarcastic, soothing, funny and constant.

Skip made an art of announcing baseball games in an age when others just like to hear themselves on the air.

Here’s the pitch Skip…we’re going to miss you.

By Legend of Len Barker

August 3, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

I always loved Skip for his regular commentary more than the “Braves lead! Braves lead! Braves lead!” for Justice in 1991, “Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!” for Bream in 1992, or “Yes! Yes! Yes!” for the Series in 1995.

I’ll miss him guessing the hometown of fans in the stands, I’ll miss the guessing game over Sid Fernandez’s weight, I’ll miss the complaints about Commissioner ESPN.

Van Weiren and Caray were the greatest, but I really enjoyed his days with Simpson. Constantly making fun of Oklahoma (“what are the words to that fight song?”), and my personal favorite broadcast moment, the night of the hot dog.

Caray: “Fans, if you come to the ballpark - and I hope you do - if you order a hot dog, make sure it’s well done.”

A few minutes later, Skip merely added to Simpson about the broadcasting duties, “it’s all yours, buddy.” We didn’t hear from him the rest of the night.

He and Joe giving out the Braves representatives for the All-Star game (“it’s all just speculation”) and way it was delivered was gold as well.

Folks, if you can, seek out a copy of his and Don Farmer’s book, Roomies. Mr. Caray tells some simply marvelous stories. I only wish he could have written a thorough autobiography. Pete Van Wieren mentioned that he was considering a book deal. I hope he does and I hope there are stories about the era of “punchline of the day,” ostriches, and hotels in Montreal.

We’ll miss you, Skip.

By Sandro from the Biennale

August 3, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Well done Bradley. Skip is one of the reasons I fell in love with the Braves. I never heard another one like him, and never will. We lost a great one.

By David C

August 4, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

Skip wasn’t perfect. None of us are. But he had a personality most of us loved. Good bye Skip. I grew up with your voice on a summer night and I’m grateful for that.

By Steven

August 4, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

I moved to Atlanta and went to my first baseball game in 1977, a year after Skip began broadcasting games for the Braves.

I was fortunate to attend the only playoff game in Atlanta when we played the St Louis Cardinals in 1982 and went to several of the NLCS and World Series games in the 1990’s.

Listening to Skip on the television and radio was like listening to your family. It was comfortable, sarcastic, soothing, funny and constant.

Skip made an art of announcing baseball games in an age when others just like to hear themselves on the air.

Here’s the pitch Skip…we’re going to miss you.

By Conyers

August 4, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

I fell in love with baseball because of skip. I use to listen to his games on AM 750 when I was 10 because I was waiting on weather reports. My life long love of baseball is in thanks to him. I use to turn on the tv and put it on mute and turn on the radio to listen to him announce the game. Thanks Skip. For giving me baseball, and the braves. Carry on

By Mark Bradley

August 4, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

This column was written in 55 minutes. I mention that only because the fastest column I’ve ever written — rewritten completely, actually, in 20 minutes — came on the night of Skip’s most famous call, the night Sid Bream slid home.

By athdog

August 4, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

I’m old enough to remember Skip doing Hawks games back when Zelmo Beatty, Dan Roundfield, ‘Sweet’ Lou Hudson, Bill Bridges, JoJo Caldwell, et al were part of the team. He was a fantastic basketball play by play guy and, of course, even better as THE voice of the Braves.
Long ago he made summer evenings of listening to Gil Garrido, Larvell ‘Sugar Bear’ Blanks, and other forgettable Braves players entertaining and enjoyable. The run of the 90’s would not have been the same without him. His call of Bream’s slide to win the 92 NLCS was the stuff of legend.
We’ll all smile the next time someone asks some call-in show host to explain the infield fly rule. Rest easy, you’ve done well.

By Bob Greene

August 4, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

This column was written in 55 minutes. I mention that only because the fastest column I’ve ever written — rewritten completely, actually, in 20 minutes

Thanks for writing it TONIGHT Mark.

By Random

August 4, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Both my sister-in-law and my sister called this evening to let my mother know about Skip.

When I answered the second call, the first thing my sister said was “How’s Mom doing?”

Skip was a big and much-loved part of many Braves families. We’ll all miss him.

By braves70

August 4, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Losing Skip is like losing a cherished part of summer. I was 12 when Skip started broadcasting Braves games and he was a part of every summer since then. I always loved his humor. Like his Dad, listening to Skip was like sitting at a game with your best friend.

My favorite memory of Skip would be that marathon 4th of July game with the Mets in 1986. I was young and stayed up to see the entire game. As the Braves were down to their final swings, pitcher Rick Camp came to the plate. In something like the Twilight Zone, Skip said something like “What would it say about life if Rick Camp hit a home run now.” Rod Serling would have smiled as Camp then proceeded to hit a home run and the game continued. Skip commented about that night that it was the first time he got home at 5 AM and had a legitimate excuse.

Thank you my dear friend for being a part of my life these last 30 years. You were the best!

By David

August 4, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Wow.

I’m so stunned and saddened with this news.As if the Braves and the fans havent had enough this year.This is the worst.I remember Skip and Pete calling games with Ernie back when i started following Braves back in 1980.Skip was very loyal.And made a bad game or good game like a comical skit.I had the pleasure of Talking to a few times at Turner field to Pete his calling buddy.I asked him how Skip was.I will allways remember your c alls.When ever i watch or listen or attend a braves game.I will take a moment to think of you.Now heaven has not 1 but 2 of the best.Skip and Harry..

RIP Skip…We all will miss you.

By DJ GREENSBORO

August 4, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

I still have a yellow t-shirt with Skip’s charicature on it when it was sold on the air during the first year on WTBS. A saying of his that hasn’t been mentioned was on the shirt which he said after every infrequent victory in those days. So Skip, now that poor health will plague you no longer, you can say once again, “It’s Cocktail Hour!” Thanks for decades of humor and truth. Another piece of my childhood has left me tonight.

By Mike

August 4, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

Like Larry Munson to UGA, Skip was someone always associated with the Braves in my life’s memory, and one more icon is taken from us. I’m proud the sons will take up the torch passed on by Grand Dad and Dad. We enjoyed you, Skip!

By john hoar

August 4, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Personally, I have a hard time coming on a public forum and showing my emotions, although I admire so many of you that do it so eloquently. In this case, I simply have to tell,his family, and everyone who was his friend, how very much he has meant to me over the years. Might not have watched or listened to those thousands of games without Skip. We will miss you and thank you. It will be hard to listen or watch a game and not think about Skip.

By David

August 4, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Players come and go. Broadcasters these days are almost as transitory. For all but two years of my life, Skip and Pete have been at the mic. We were so lucky to have Skip for all those years. My heart hurt when I saw he was gone. There’s never enough time. Goodbye Skip.

By George Holman

August 4, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

The Voice of the Braves. Period. End of Sentence!

We will all miss you!!

By Tami

August 4, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

I’m at quite a loss, slightly in shock, and just so very sad right now. Skip - for me - was the voice of the Braves. And, in the early 90’s, I credit him as one of those who gave me my early lessons into the inner workings of MLB as I became a true, diehard Braves fan. Listening to Braves’ games just won’t be the same any more without Skip. It’s the end of a an era for sure. I’m so sad for Chip & Josh, as well. I know that each of them will carry on their dad’s & grandfather’s legacies very capably. But, right now…I feel I’ve lost a friend. There will never be another Skip.

By Marty

August 4, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

In a season where so much has gone wrong for the Braves and their fans, today must be the official end to the Braves dynasty. Sure, the Braves could win the World Series next year, but without Skip to call it for us, it just won’t be the same.

The Braves will start winning again one of these seasons, but we’ll never have Skip back. I’d gladly suffer through ten more losing seasons just to have Skip there to call them.

The fans love you more than you will ever know, Skip.

By Mark Bradley

August 4, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

You’re welcome, Bob. Skip was a good man.

One little Skip (plus others) story: In the summer of 1992 I was on the road with the Braves in Cincinnati — the Reds were then leading the NL West, if you’ll recall, and the Braves were chasing — and three of the four announcers (Skip, Pete and Joe) went out to dinner with I.J. Rosenberg and myself at one of Jeff Ruby’s fancy riverfront restaurants on a Saturday night. (There were seven in our party, as I recall.)

After a few hours of food and frolic, the waiter brought the bill and I, seeking to be a nice fellow, said: “I don’t travel with you guys all that much — let me get this one.” Whereupon I opened the folder and saw said bill: $550. (Plus another $5.50 for the smelling salts to revive me.)

All the way back to the car, I kept saying to I.J., “What if the paper won’t let me write this off on expenses? Huh? Huh?” And he kept saying, “Don’t worry — they will.” And they did. But I learned a lesson that night: Baseball announcers really enjoy fine dining.

By Tom Lea

August 4, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

One of the all-time greats. My favorite comment came shortly after Ted Turner forbid his newscasters on CNN from using the word “foreign” since his network had developed a global reach. Instead, they were to use the word “international.” Being a loyal employee of Mr. Turner… Skip was calling a Braves game when the batter called time and backed of the batter’s box, as Skip explained, because “he had an international object in his eye.”

By Jason

August 4, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

RIP Skip. You played a major part in turning a 6 year old small town Wyoming kid into a lifelong Braves fan which has brought tremendous joy. I’ll be forever grateful. Thank you for always telling it like it is. You’ll be sorely missed. Prayers to your family and friends.

By princetonbrave

August 4, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

Rest in peace Skip. You were a gift to us.

By Andy Tynes

August 4, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

I ran into Skip in the Delta Crown Room in 1993. I told him that I had grown up listening to his broadcasts of Hawks and Braves games, how great I thought he was, etc. etc. His reply? “If you run into my boss, please tell him what you just told me. Maybe he’ll give me a raise!” Then he laughed, and patted me on the back as he walked away. Always the fun-loving smart aleck.

For me, he will always be the voice of the Braves. There will never be another announcer like Skip. I’ll miss him terribly. Rest in peace, Skip. The Braves Nation mourns your passing.

By Thunderdan2000

August 4, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

I’ll echo the sentiments of everyone here and say that the broadcasts will never be the same. Skip made the broadcasts entertaining when the games were not, and his call of Sid at home still gives me goose bumps all these years later. I just cannot believe it! RIP Skip, and condolences to his family, friends and Braves family.

By ExATLinPDX

August 4, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

I am 34 years old and an Atlanta native who moved away about a decade ago. I started actively listening to Braves games when I was six and kept on listening, through the good times and the bad time. And what made the bad teams worth enduring was the chemistry between Skip and Pete. How many times did I stay up late in my room on a school night, transistor radio pressed close to my ear, having Skip the curmudgeon talk me to sleep as he announced a west coast Braves game? I feel like part of my childhood, not to mention my adolescence, and young adulthood, just died. RIP Skip.

By sdearth

August 4, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

I never met the man, but I felt as if I’d known him for 20 years. Never a boring moment. Hope his family can continue the tradition. Good luck and our best to the family.

By Brad

August 4, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

Skip want have to explain the infield fly rule anymore (which he loved) or worry about stepping on downed power lines. I am now 32, the passing of Skip is like part of my childhood is now passed away. Braves baseball will never be the same for me with out Skip. RIP Skip, you and you dad drink one for me in that press box in the sky.

By prattvillenolzfan

August 4, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

I wish all of the JERKS @TBS are paying attention to this column…Bradley is getting responses from people all over the United States about how they grew up listening to Skip on TBS…..

Too bad they/or their kids won’t be able to anymore…..

By Ronald Millsaps

August 4, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this

I was very surprised to learn earlier tonight that Skip Caray had passed away. As Tom Glavine referred to, his health seemed to be on the upswing. He certainly seemed to be doing well. I can’t articulate how much I enjoyed listening to him over the years, but when I was a kid, he really was the perfect selection for bringing the game into your home, and I mean that. As Chipper Jones alluded to, he was as much a part of this organization as anyone else. My prayers will be with the Caray family. As much a shock as this event is to me, I know they are enduring a lot of sorrow.

By 2 out in the 6th

August 4, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this

Skip, you will be missed.

My favorite call ever by Skip, when referring to a young couple in the empty upper deck back in the 80s :

“He kisses her on the strikes and she kisses him on the balls”

By Pete H.

August 4, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

The day we finally got cable in New England, I couldn’t wait to see my first Braves game (it was around 1980 and I had been a Braves fan virtually unable to see the Braves play for 20 years). The first thing that struck me (remember, this was a very bad team) was how the announcers didn’t really make excuses. Unlike the homer Mets and Yankees announcers and the virtually catatonic Red Sox announcers, they were involved in the game, but when it got ugly, they were as disgusted as I was.

Apart from the Bream slide, the things I remember best are the nights we got Smoltz for Alexander and McGriff for Nieves and two warm bodies. Skip was up on who Smoltz was and had been predicting the McGriff trade for days, assuring us it would not be Klesko going the other way, as others were reporting.

Even in the dog days of another last place finish, he made the game fun and you knew he wasn’t shining you on.

He’s a Hall of Famer, and I’ve missed him greatly ever since TBS dropped Braves games.

RIP, Skip.

By Choppinmama

August 4, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

I just heard this sad news a few minutes ago and am just so sick at heart. As someone said earlier, the Voice of the Braves is forever silent. At least he won’t have to contend with that downtown traffic nightmare that he used to delight in complaining about.

And I guess we’ll never know his secret in identifying all those GA folks that caught those foul balls!

Rest in peace, Skip.

By Greg

August 4, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

One of favorite memories. Skip was broadcasting with Don Sutton, and got into a long story about Sutton’s ex-Dodger teammate Steve Sax. Fairly near the end of his career, Sax — who played second base — developed a problem throwing the ball to the first baseman. After relating all the history, Skip asked Sutton if he was in touch with Sax, and wrapped up the whole segment by saying something like “… maybe you really should phone sax.” As I recall, it was two minutes of radio time just to set up that line. Which, of course, was delivered completely deadpan. Before I moved to Georgia from Chicago, I got to hear Harry Carey calling both the White Sox and the Cubs. Both were great announcers, but Skip’s wit and cleverness really stood out. He’ll be missed.

By Sam

August 4, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

When I was five years old, my family moved to Atlanta. It was January of 1991 — just months later, the Braves went worst to first and I was hooked for life.

I remember jumping up and down on my parents’ bed when Sid slid. I remember celebrating in the center field stands after Game 6. I remember Chris Burke’s home run nearly bringing me to tears as a 19-year-old.

But along with all that, I remember Skip’s voice during a lazy summer night as I sat on the couch with my dad watching the Bravos in Montreal — Skip could make even ugly old Olympic Stadium bearable. I remember begging my parents to change the dial every 30 miles so that Skip would stay with us on road trips. I remember muting the ESPN telecasts and tuning in to WSB. I remember asking, “How does he know where every fan is from?” And I remember purchasing MLB radio as a college freshman in Nashville because Skip’s voice made it feel just a bit more like home.

The Braves were an irreplaceable part of my childhood, and as an irreplaceable part of the Braves, so was Skip. Rest in peace, Mr. Caray — I wish we could “have it to do all over again.”

By bonzo

August 4, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this

And you can’t forget his foul ball calls during Bark at the Park nights…and that ball was snagged by a Weimaraner from Newnan…he didn’t take it all that seriously and that’s how I’ll remember him.

By Dawg88

August 4, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

I am almost speechless! What else will happen this season? Sad Day Indeed!

Thanks Skip!

God Bless!

By regularfan

August 4, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

I sure will miss Skip. The way he would makeup locations that fans were from when they caught a foul ball, I just assumed he was making up the stadium location name when he said a foul ball went into the Lexus Level.

By Don

August 4, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this

Thanks to AJC for sharing that most memorable Skip Caray call of the final 1992 NLCS game between the Braves and Pirates. Our family was at the game that night sitting in the upper deck just to the left field side of home plate. After the Braves batted in the bottom of the 8th inning, many “fans” began to leave the old Fulton County stadium thinking the Braves were finished. Many of us “die hard” Braves fans booed the fans that were leaving and were we so glad that we stayed to the final play. When Sid Bream slid home and the umpire called him safe, I don’t think I’ve ever heard or seen a stadium erupt into such joyous bedlam at once - people jumping, hugging, high-fiveing anyone and everyone around them. I was listening to Carey’s call on earphones as it happened and I will never forget it. On the way home, we laughed about those poor bums that left the game early and missed probably one of the greatest moments in Braves baseball history. Skip Caray was one of a kind and will be foreever missed by all true Braves fans.

By Don

August 4, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

Thanks to AJC for sharing that most memorable Skip Caray call of the final 1992 NLCS game between the Braves and Pirates. Our family was at the game that night sitting in the upper deck just to the left field side of home plate. After the Braves batted in the bottom of the 8th inning, many “fans” began to leave the old Fulton County stadium thinking the Braves were finished. Many of us “die hard” Braves fans booed the fans that were leaving and were we so glad that we stayed to the final play. When Sid Bream slid home and the umpire called him safe, I don’t think I’ve ever heard or seen a stadium erupt into such joyous bedlam at once - people jumping, hugging, high-fiveing anyone and everyone around them. I was listening to Carey’s call on earphones as it happened and I will never forget it. On the way home, we laughed about those poor bums that left the game early and missed probably one of the greatest moments in Braves baseball history. Skip Caray was one of a kind and will be foreever missed by all true Braves fans.

By Stunned

August 4, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

Goodbye, Skip. I know people from coast to coast, myself included, who grew up listening to the Braves become a dominant power with you guiding us through every step. The call of Bream’s slide into home is the most memorable call in Braves history, sans Hank’s home run. Never have I heard someone so genuinely excited for a team on the air. Incredibly sad to hear he’s gone.

By Legend of Len Barker

August 4, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

Other Skip memories:

• He and it must have been Don somehow got into a conversation about which piece of chicken they chose as children. Don always got the drumstick. Skip’s piece of choice? The neck.

• Turner told them to broadcast the fireworks show one year after the game. Skip wasn’t sure how to do that. He guessed that they were supposed to say “oooh” and “aahhh” after every blast.

• “When [Kevin] Mitchell hits into the 6-4-3, The Magnificent Seven will be coming on. Six. Four. Three. Hope that movie’s ready!”

• Caray told this one in his book. He and another colleague had a few drinks before a Hawks game he was broadcasting on radio. By halftime, he felt a slight need to urinate. As he was the one-man crew for halftime interviews, that was out of the question. The urge grew stronger as the game progressed. Of course, it went into overtime. His bladder was in agony. Then someone hit a shot to send it into another overtime. How did he alleviate his situation? He spotted an empty Coke cup and managed to broadcast and relieve himself at the same time. He does think, though, that he left the filled cup under the table.

• Pete was going over stats of a pitcher who was entering the game. Lots of stats. Skip interjected in the middle of it, “And he’s a big boy, too!” in reference to the reliever’s weight.

By Tony Ingalls

August 4, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

God Bless Skip Caray. He made me into a baseball fan at age 13. He called a game like he was sitting on the couch right next to you and eating from a shared bag of chips. When you were excited, he was excited, when you were upset, he was upset… the simple honesty that he broadcast will not be seen again… It makes you wonder how anyone reads a promo for the upcoming 32nd post game airing of “Turner & Hooch” and does not laugh. God Bless the Caray family.

By Matt Towery

August 4, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

Mark, as usual you have captured my sentiments exactly. I still remember Skip, and I think of Pete (could have been Ernie) making a big deal out of some small town Fourth of July parade around 1980, where the big draw, other than the broadcasters, was an inflatable “Mr. Twinkie” We laughed about that for years. I doubt, given my job of covering politicians, anyone will ever sign a guest book or say a kind word. But I hope Skip’s family knows that those of us who perform in Atlanta media (sports, politics, what’s the difference?) know that this man put Atlanta on the map. God bless Skip and his family. Matt Towery—InsiderAdvantage/WSB-TV

By Hasell Brown

August 4, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this

One of my favorite Skipisms: “There goes the Singing Beer Man…he’s at it again!”

Skip always had his moments with me…and no matter how bad the game was…we were always laughing together….

Thanks, Skip…for your love!

My heart breaks because you’ve left us…but Harry and Mom are glad to see you again….

May the family be eternally blessed…..

I raise my glass to honor your spirit!!

“Singing Beer Man” - 1984-1990

By Darren

August 4, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

I’m sad. Heartbroken. Skip is my favorite broadcaster of all time.

I’m 33 years from Las Vegas, NV. Got hooked on the Braves in 1982 at age 7 watching the Braves on TBS. Skip was awesome.

My favorite memory of Skip was one day when he and Joe were giving each other good natured ribbing. Joe had just used Skip as the butt of one of his jokes. Skip simply replied with “And the horse you rode in on.” He was obviously saying the tail end of the famous quote F U and the horse you rode in on. That had me laughing for days and I still crack up when I think of that. Funny, sarcastic moments like that is why he was the best.

God speed Skip. I’ll miss you.

Darren McArthur

By Darren

August 4, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

I’m sad. Heartbroken. Skip is my favorite broadcaster of all time.

I’m 33 years from Las Vegas, NV. Got hooked on the Braves in 1982 at age 7 watching the Braves on TBS. Skip was awesome.

My favorite memory of Skip was one day when he and Joe were giving each other good natured ribbing. Joe had just used Skip as the butt of one of his jokes. Skip simply replied “And the horse you rode in on.” He was obviously saying the tail end of the famous quote F U and the horse you rode in on. That had me laughing for days and I still crack up when I think of that. Funny, sarcastic moments like that is why he was the best.

God speed Skip. I’ll miss you.

Darren McArthur

By Darren

August 4, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

I’m sad. Heartbroken. Skip is my favorite broadcaster of all time.

I’m 33 years from Las Vegas, NV. Got hooked on the Braves in 1982 at age 7 watching the Braves on TBS. Skip was awesome.

My favorite memory of Skip was one day when he and Joe were giving each other good natured ribbing. Joe had just used Skip as the butt of one of his jokes. Skip simply replied “And the horse you rode in on.” He was obviously saying the tail end of the famous quote F U and the horse you rode in on. That had me laughing for days and I still crack up when I think of that. Funny, sarcastic moments like that is why he was the best.

God speed Skip. I’ll miss you.

Darren McArthur

By Mark Bradley

August 4, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

Thanks, Matt. I much appreciate it.

By Darren

August 4, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

Sorry guys. That was only suppose to post one time. Oops.

Great article by the way Mark.

By Alex Hoxeng

August 4, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this

I can remember listening to Skip Karay at the age of 10. I will for ever miss that nasally voice, and those nasally Verizon Wireless calls to the Bull Pen. No more.

By Marty

August 4, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

By the way, thanks for the article, Mark — as silly as it sounds, the news has rendered me unable to sleep, and it helped to read your words and the words of so many other fans who enjoyed Skip’s wit and enthusiasm over the years.

By Coach ( What a heartbreaking day)

August 4, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this

Growing up in Columbus, I spent many a late night with the transistor radio and earplug safely tucked under my pillow, falling asleep listening to Skip and Pete calling games on the west coast. Mom and Dad never knew. It didn’t matter whether the team was competitive or not, these two gentlemen were as entertaining as two people could be.

They seemingly had the art of putting you right in the seats down to a science. I always felt as if I were at the game itself. Whenever I drove up to Atlanta to take in a game on the weekend at Fulton County I was always sure to bring the radio so as to listen to the broadcast even as I was seeing it in person.

Skip, you were one of a kind. Those radio broadcast made me a lifelong Braves fan and that is just about the best complement that any individual of your caliber can be given. God bless and my heartfelt prayers go out to your wife and kids.

By John

August 4, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this

Summertime in the South will never be the same. He was in our living room more often than most friends or family, and as such became part of the family. To touch so many who he never even met, Skip is the epitome of a life well lived. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.

By Mark Bradley

August 4, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

Thanks to one and all. I’m having trouble falling asleep, too. It’s a sad night, but it’s a night that prompts a thousand warm memories.

By Tom R.

August 4, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

Great column as usual Mark. You help us through the ups and downs. I will miss Skip deeply. In addition to his knowledge of the game and the team, he taught me to enjoy the game. He was bothered by the “Erin Andrews” ization of baseball productions….people who know nothing about the team throwing numbers and stats that amount to babble. Skip was passionate about the game and the team and he didn’t need a team of graphics artists and statisticians to communicate that.

I remember how much Skip used to look forward to visits from the Ice Cream Lady. Another way he kept us tuned in to games during the Eddie Haas era.

I feel like I’ve lost a lost a close friend tonight. Thanks Skip - you will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

By Brent

August 4, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this

Gosh, reading this news makes me feel awful inside. I remember the Sid Bream call like it was yesterday. As a little kid my mom, brother, sister and I were all watching the game (it was past our bedtime) and I remember all of us jumping up and down on the bed hugging and screaming. Skip you will be missed by all Braves fans. I do hope that the Braves show you the respect that you deserve and build a statue of you next to all the past Brave greats. Wish we could have you forever but that wasn’t God’s plan. May you rest in peace.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this

So long Skip! I became a Braves fan in part because of Skip and the others in the booth during the bad years, which seems to have returned, so I don’t know how I will make it through the rest of this year. You, Sir, will be greatly missed!!

By chris

August 4, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this

Mark- brilliant as usual. thanks.

By DirtyDawg

August 4, 2008 2:07 AM | Link to this

No matter how infuriating Skip could be with his treatment of callers when he was doing his call-in show…he brought an irreverence that delighted us. I’ll always remember that when he was calling the Hawks games and his buddy Jiggs McDonald was doing the Flames, I thought we had the best two announcers in the game. Don’t know if anybody else thought it, but I used to say he sounded like David Brinkley doing basketball.

It strikes me that somebody, Pete, Joe, somebody, needs to pull an Ensign Pulver and at a home game soon, come out with a ‘What’s all this crap about paving the downtown connector tonight?’ Yeah, somebody needs to keep the pressure on the DOT…Skip would be proud.

By chris

August 4, 2008 2:08 AM | Link to this

I remember a great Skip line from back when Keith Olbermann was the anchor on Fox and there were billboards of him on the outfield wall.

someone doubled off the wall and Skip said “He just got a chance to do what a lot of us would like to do——hit Keith Olbermann in the face.”

By Enuffzenuff

August 4, 2008 2:14 AM | Link to this

Been a Braves fan for 20 years, since I was five. This almost feels like a member of the family died. Braves baseball to me was and is the team and Skip, Pete, Joe and Don. Truly a sad day. We’ll miss you Skip.

By Brad

August 4, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this

My Favorite Skipism: The Braves were playing the Reds I believe and a relief pitcher whose last name was Coffee had just entered the game for the Reds. Skip comes back after the call to the bullpen and says, “Well, the Braves are going to try to cream coffee here in the 7th.” He was hilarious!

By Brad

August 4, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this

My Favorite Skipism: The Braves were playing the Reds I believe and a relief pitcher whose last name was Coffee had just entered the game for the Reds. Skip comes back after the call to the bullpen and says, “Well, the Braves are going to try to cream coffee here in the 7th.” He was hilarious!

By Tampaparrotthead

August 4, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this

Mark… thanks for saying what so many of us are feeling tonight.

Grown men all across America are shedding a tear tonight not only because a good man has left this world, but also because the voice of a big part of our childhood, teen years, early adult years and now our middle years is silenced, and we’ve all lost a good friend. He might not have known us by name, but he knew us as fans from Macon, Adairsville, Columbus, Powder Springs, Fitzgerald, Statesboro and everywhere in between… and he did know us. And last year as TBS broadcasted it’s last Braves game he let us know it, and he let us know that he appreciated us, and in his own way, that he loved us. And we loved him.

And now Skip, one more time… can you explain the infield fly rule?

By Joe Piercey Jr

August 4, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this

Skip, Pete and others have done great work during the 1991-forward era, but during this time, they have had help from the team. I remember, even more fondly, the earlier time, th