Skip Caray Dies At 68
Longtime Voice Of Braves, TBS Passed On Sunday
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 8/4/2008 1:45:00 AM
Skip Caray, the longtime voice of the Atlanta Braves and TBS’s coverage of the Major League Baseball club died in his sleep at home on Sunday. He was 68.
The cause of death was not immediately known, but through published reports Caray had indicated he was combating congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, diabetes and reduced kidney and liver functions.
Caray is survived by his wife Caray and four children, two of whom followed their father and grandfather, the late Harry Caray, the voice of the Chicago Cubs and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, into broadcasting. Chip Caray currently calls Braves games and TBS’s Sunday afternoon national slate, as well as much of MLB’s postseason action on the network. Josh Caray is working on the radio for the Class A Rome Braves.
With his health failing, Skip Caray had been calling home Braves games on the radio this season. He and partner Pete Van Wieren have been on the air with Braves games since 1976, and they rose to national prominence through TBS’s 30-year coverage of “America’s Team” through last season. The network now presents the aforementioned Sunday afternoon regular-season package, all four Division Series and alternates with Fox on carrying the American or National Championship Series.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Skip Caray, whose Hall of Fame-worthy career behind the microphone was instrumental in the growth of Turner Sports from regional telecaster to national sports broadcaster,” said Turner Sports president David Levy in a statement. “While Skip’s work on our NBA and NFL coverage were significant, his legendary calls and trademark wit on TBS baseball are what resonated most with fans nationally and will not soon be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Caray family.”
The Braves, according to published reports, said funeral arrangements will be announced later this week.
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