Home Sports 

Story

Braves Fans Honor Skip Caray At Turner Field

Jokes, Video Mix At Memorial

Posted: 6:05 am EDT August 12, 2008Updated: 3:11 pm EDT August 12, 2008

Braves fans got their chance to say goodbye Tuesday morning to Atlanta Braves announcer Skip Caray.

RAW VIDEO: Skip Caray Memorial At Turner Field

A memorial service at Turner Field sprinkled together eulogies from his broadcast partners with videos of some of Caray's biggest calls.

Speakers at the ceremony included Braves Chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk, Braves pitcher John Smoltz, Braves announcers Pete Van Wieren and Joe Simpson and son Chip Caray.

The public service followed a private funeral held Monday.

It was just before 3 p.m. Monday that the Caray family arrived at Christ the King Church for a private service. Sons Chip and Josh arrived, both broadcasters like their father and grandfather Harry.

VIDEO: Family, Friends Remember Skip Caray

Many of Skip Caray's lifelong friends arrived as well. His college roommate, Don Farmer, was one of those friends. "He started thinking more and more about the off-time, the family. A lot of people don't know but he was very involved with charitable organizations. Skip is a private man, a charitable man, and yet he can tell a joke like anybody," said Farmer.

  • READ: New WSB-TV Reporter/Anchor Remembers His Experience With Skip Caray

  • Caray's humor is legendary and it was the common theme Monday.

    "I think most people underestimated his intelligence because a lot of his humor went right over their heads, but he had a good time with it. It was his spirit and that kind of humor has to be coming from somone who is very, very intelligent," said Art Eckman, a broadcasting colleague of Caray's.

    "First thing was, 'Have you heard this one?' Because he enjoyed telling a joke, enjoyed hearing a good joke and was just so much more than a broadcaster," said family friend Ernie Johnson, Jr.

    The two-hour service Monday was very formal and included communion during a Catholic mass.

    Images

    Manny Pacquiao
    GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
    Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao becomes the first boxer in history to win seven titles in seven different weight divisions, then celebrates the victory with his band. What's next? He might run for Congress in the Philippines. View Images ››

    Long Hill Team Ski Jumping, Team – Roar Ljokelsoey, Norway
    ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
    Winter Olympic athletes display astonishing and bewildering aerial artistry. View Images ››


    Brock Lesnar
    Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
    UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar has gone from collegiate wrestling star to WWE standout to UFC champion. View Images ››


    Zack Klein's Column

    Zach Klein
    Georgia and Georgia Tech at the Georgia Dome in 2011? It’s a strong possibility according to WSB-TV sports director Chuck Dowdle. Full Story ››