No one would blame the St. Louis Cardinals announcer if he felt emotional. On Monday evening in Oakland, Chip met up with his son Chris on the field before they both headed to the broadcast booth to announce the game for their respective teams.
Chris is in his first season with the Athletics, sharing announcing duties with Jenny Cavnar, and this was his fourth game doing so.
“I’m the older one now, and I remember when I was 24 and got my first chance to do this, and my dad was in the other booth on the radio side in Atlanta,” said Chip, whose grandfather was the famous Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, and father was Skip Caray, known for his work with the Braves for over three decades.
“It’s very different having the torch being passed instead of being passed to you. I’m excited, humbled, and honored that Chris is here. He’s doing a great job already, and I’m excited about where he’s going to take this family business, as we call it.”
Chris, who is 24, and his twin brother Stefan worked together in the booth for the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks, for the past two years. They gained valuable experience at that level and during their time in the Arizona Fall League.
“Trying to set ourselves apart while still being a cohesive team in the booth in Amarillo over the last two years, we had to figure out how to sound different from each other,” Chris explained.
“Yes, we sound alike, but I didn’t want to sound exactly like him, or like Skip, or like my brother Stefan. And I wanted to take the good things he’s done and put my own spin on them. That’s how I got here, and I feel really fortunate.”
Chip’s wife and Chris’ mother, Susan, was at the Coliseum for the special moment on Monday. When Chris was hired by NBC Sports California in February, they checked the schedule to see if the Cardinals and A’s would play against each other this year, and here they are in mid-April.
It worked out perfectly that Monday’s series opener was Chris’ turn in the booth, since Cavnar handled the first homestand and will do most of the team’s road games.
“We had it marked on the calendar, but at the same time, we didn’t know what my schedule would be,” Chris said.
“We assumed they would do it, especially here at the Coliseum. I was told I would do most of the home games while Jenny did the away games, but you never know how it will work out. I’m grateful and lucky that they chose this series for my fourth game. I can’t even put it into words, to be honest.”
The proud father is happy that they both bring their unique style and flair to their jobs. “It’s all about personality in this business. The worst thing he could do is try to imitate Harry Caray or Skip Caray, or even me,” Chip Caray explained.
“There are certain things that come naturally with our family background, but he’s going to make it his own. That’s how it has to be.
“It used to frustrate me when kids would send me tapes, sounding like Vin Scully. Just be yourself. And I’m proud that he and his brother have done just that.” Chip Caray joked about seeing his son in A’s green.
“We’re honored and flattered,” he said. “Our family’s been in this business since 1945, and to see him start at 24, just like I did, and to be able to work together in his first weeks as a major league broadcaster is amazing.
“I’ll try not to get emotional during the game. But I hope I’m not crying after because I want us to win.”
