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The Legendary Harry Caray: Baseball's Greatest Salesman
Harry Caray is one of the most famous and beloved sports broadcasters of all time, with a career that lasted over 50 years. Always a baseball enthusiast, Caray once vowed to become a broadcaster who was the true voice of the fans. Caray’s distinctive style soon resonated across St. Louis, then Chicago, and eventually across the nation. In The Legendary Harry Baseball’s Greatest Salesman, Don Zminda delivers the first full-length biography of Caray since his death in 1998. It includes details of Caray’s orphaned childhood, his 25 years as the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, his tempestuous 11 years broadcasting games for the Chicago White Sox, and the 16 years he broadcast for the Chicago Cubs while also becoming a nationally-known celebrity. Interviews with significant figures from Caray’s life are woven throughout, from his widow Dutchie and grandson Chip to broadcasters Bob Costas, Thom Brennaman, Dewayne Staats, Pat Hughes, and more.Caray was known during his final years as a beloved, often-imitated grandfather figure with the Cubs, but the story of his entire career is much more nuanced and often controversial. Featuring new information on Caray’s life—including little-known information about his firing by the Cardinals and his feuds with players, executives, and fellow broadcasters—this book provides an intimate and in-depth look at a broadcasting legend.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 10, 2019
The Cubs have been part of my life since I was born. Because the team only played day games until the summer I turned nine years old, I got to watch most home games in their entirety for a large chunk of my childhood. The Cubs teams I grew up with during the 1980s and 1990s mainly fielded pitiful products on the field, often finishing well out of first place. Yet, one constant during this era was Cubs television and radio announcer Harry Caray, who was the team’s main attraction from 1982 until his passing in 1998, nearly mirroring my childhood. With his larger than life personality, Harry created the Wrigleyville culture that still surrounds the ballpark today, urging people to come out to old ballpark even on days when the team on the field might not be all that entertaining. When longtime Chicago sportswriter Don Zminda published a new biography on Harry Caray’s life, I knew that it was one that I had to read, if anything to get a few laughs that have been missing from my life for the past twenty years.
If someone was not familiar with Harry Caray, I thought that Zminda presented all the points in his life without leaving much out. If a fan like myself was familiar with Caray’s life and was reading the biography as a trip down memory lane, then this book still presented already known facts in an enjoyable manner. Harry was born Harry Carabina in St Louis, Missouri in 1915 although the year would be disputed throughout his life. By the time Harry turned fourteen, his mother had passed away and his father had abandoned him, forcing Harry to be raised by his mother’s brother’s family. The sense of longing to know who he was and pining for family stayed with Harry for the rest of his life. He would donate much of his time and money to the Maryville Academy for unwanted children in the Chicago suburbs during his entire tenure as a Chicago radio announcer. Long before this period in his life, Harry longed for a large, loving family, yet, he did not have a father figure and never learned how to be a good father to his children. He would marry three times, his job and travel conflicting with the long sought after family life that he craved. Despite not being a number one father, Harry was number one in the hearts of the fans for over half of a century.
Although today Harry Caray is still beloved in Chicago, his career began as the radio voice of the detested St Louis Cardinals. In the 1940s and even in the 1950s, baseball was a game heard over the sound waves. Harry’s job was to paint a picture of the game being played as though fans listening in at home were at the ballpark. His first official employer was Griesedeck Beer, who sponsored the Cardinals broadcasts, and Harry quickly became associated with both the beer and the team. In those days St Louis’ station KMOX was a 50,000 watt band and Harry’s broadcasts reached all over the south and even at times to overseas. His voice and flair to call the game like one of the fans became synonymous with Cardinals baseball. Fans loved him, and more and more flocked to the ballpark each year. Even when the Cardinals won two World Series and played in a third during the 1960s, Harry Caray was as recognizable as the players on the team. As a St Louis native he was beloved by the fans, yet a dispute with the Anheiser Busch family that owned the team ran him out of town before the 1970 season.
Following one forgettable year as the voice of the Oakland As in 1970, Harry Caray returned to Midwest as the radio and television voice of the Chicago White Sox in 1971. It was on Chicago’s south side that Harry became known for quirks that most fans associate with his tenure on the Cubs. During the 1970s, the White Sox fielded many abysmal teams. Fans had little reason to come to the ballpark. Harry provided a partisan broadcast, announcing all Wednesday games from the bleachers, bringing a butterfly net to the radio booth to catch foul balls, and starting a tradition of singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch. Despite Harry’s popularity, the White Sox did not draw well, and ownership could not afford to pay an announcer who was in many regards more popular than any player on the team. When the White Sox were sold to a new ownership group in 1981, Harry moved to the north side and began a sixteen year tenure as the radio and television voice of the Cubs.
By the time Harry Caray first became the Cubs lead announcer in 1982, he had already lived in Chicago for ten years and was dubbed the mayor of the Rush Street nightlife. In the early 1980s, cable television was just getting started and Cubs games broadcast on WGN-TV and radio reached households all over the United States. With the Cubs playing all of their home games during the day and the product on the field not being the greatest, Harry Caray became the persona most associated with the team. He would read fan letters from all over the country on the air, to the chagrin of some and love of many others. With a winning season in 1984 propelled by Harry’s charm, the Cubs began to surpass the White Sox as Chicago’s number one draw. The neighborhood around Wrigley Field skyrocketed in value as everyone did what Harry encouraged- come out and have fun at the old ball park. Take Me Out to the Ballgame became a staple of his broadcasts, and many people around the country thought that Harry wrote the song. As Harry’s popularity crested, the area around Wrigley Field started to resemble the neighborhood that it is today.
In the last years of his life, Harry Caray could not drink beer although naysayers accused him of being drunk in the booth as he constantly botched players’ names. This was the long term effect of a stroke and irritated baseball purists. These mispronunciations were part of Harry’s charm and good for a few laughs every day. Today Harry’s legacy lives on with a statue outside of Wrigley Field and a panel of his likeness in front of the press box inside of the ballpark. I still listen to Cubs radio broadcasts almost everyday, although Harry was one of a kind. His persona was larger than life and I still remember exactly what I was doing when I found out that he died. Don Zminda has brought these memories back to life for a good many fans in an enjoyable manner. This book was indeed a trip down memory lane.
This Bud’s for you, Harry:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=axcIvYs...
3.5 stars
If someone was not familiar with Harry Caray, I thought that Zminda presented all the points in his life without leaving much out. If a fan like myself was familiar with Caray’s life and was reading the biography as a trip down memory lane, then this book still presented already known facts in an enjoyable manner. Harry was born Harry Carabina in St Louis, Missouri in 1915 although the year would be disputed throughout his life. By the time Harry turned fourteen, his mother had passed away and his father had abandoned him, forcing Harry to be raised by his mother’s brother’s family. The sense of longing to know who he was and pining for family stayed with Harry for the rest of his life. He would donate much of his time and money to the Maryville Academy for unwanted children in the Chicago suburbs during his entire tenure as a Chicago radio announcer. Long before this period in his life, Harry longed for a large, loving family, yet, he did not have a father figure and never learned how to be a good father to his children. He would marry three times, his job and travel conflicting with the long sought after family life that he craved. Despite not being a number one father, Harry was number one in the hearts of the fans for over half of a century.
Although today Harry Caray is still beloved in Chicago, his career began as the radio voice of the detested St Louis Cardinals. In the 1940s and even in the 1950s, baseball was a game heard over the sound waves. Harry’s job was to paint a picture of the game being played as though fans listening in at home were at the ballpark. His first official employer was Griesedeck Beer, who sponsored the Cardinals broadcasts, and Harry quickly became associated with both the beer and the team. In those days St Louis’ station KMOX was a 50,000 watt band and Harry’s broadcasts reached all over the south and even at times to overseas. His voice and flair to call the game like one of the fans became synonymous with Cardinals baseball. Fans loved him, and more and more flocked to the ballpark each year. Even when the Cardinals won two World Series and played in a third during the 1960s, Harry Caray was as recognizable as the players on the team. As a St Louis native he was beloved by the fans, yet a dispute with the Anheiser Busch family that owned the team ran him out of town before the 1970 season.
Following one forgettable year as the voice of the Oakland As in 1970, Harry Caray returned to Midwest as the radio and television voice of the Chicago White Sox in 1971. It was on Chicago’s south side that Harry became known for quirks that most fans associate with his tenure on the Cubs. During the 1970s, the White Sox fielded many abysmal teams. Fans had little reason to come to the ballpark. Harry provided a partisan broadcast, announcing all Wednesday games from the bleachers, bringing a butterfly net to the radio booth to catch foul balls, and starting a tradition of singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch. Despite Harry’s popularity, the White Sox did not draw well, and ownership could not afford to pay an announcer who was in many regards more popular than any player on the team. When the White Sox were sold to a new ownership group in 1981, Harry moved to the north side and began a sixteen year tenure as the radio and television voice of the Cubs.
By the time Harry Caray first became the Cubs lead announcer in 1982, he had already lived in Chicago for ten years and was dubbed the mayor of the Rush Street nightlife. In the early 1980s, cable television was just getting started and Cubs games broadcast on WGN-TV and radio reached households all over the United States. With the Cubs playing all of their home games during the day and the product on the field not being the greatest, Harry Caray became the persona most associated with the team. He would read fan letters from all over the country on the air, to the chagrin of some and love of many others. With a winning season in 1984 propelled by Harry’s charm, the Cubs began to surpass the White Sox as Chicago’s number one draw. The neighborhood around Wrigley Field skyrocketed in value as everyone did what Harry encouraged- come out and have fun at the old ball park. Take Me Out to the Ballgame became a staple of his broadcasts, and many people around the country thought that Harry wrote the song. As Harry’s popularity crested, the area around Wrigley Field started to resemble the neighborhood that it is today.
In the last years of his life, Harry Caray could not drink beer although naysayers accused him of being drunk in the booth as he constantly botched players’ names. This was the long term effect of a stroke and irritated baseball purists. These mispronunciations were part of Harry’s charm and good for a few laughs every day. Today Harry’s legacy lives on with a statue outside of Wrigley Field and a panel of his likeness in front of the press box inside of the ballpark. I still listen to Cubs radio broadcasts almost everyday, although Harry was one of a kind. His persona was larger than life and I still remember exactly what I was doing when I found out that he died. Don Zminda has brought these memories back to life for a good many fans in an enjoyable manner. This book was indeed a trip down memory lane.
This Bud’s for you, Harry:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=axcIvYs...
3.5 stars
April 7, 2019
Harry Caray is one of the most famous broadcasters in baseball history. His lengthy career includes significant time as the lead announcer for three franchises – the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs. While Caray is best known and most popular for his time with the Cubs, this biography of the broadcasting legend covers his entire career thoroughly for each team as well as his early life.
Born Harry Christopher Carabina, Caray was raised in a modest manner in St. Louis with his siblings by his mother Daisy until she died of pneumonia when Harry was 14. He was also a good baseball player, which is covered in this book as well as his broadcasting ability. When he couldn’t accept a spot on the baseball team at the University of Alabama, he tried to enlist in the armed forces to serve in World War II. Due to poor eyesight, he was rejected but this led to his turning to baseball broadcasting.
Once Caray turned to broadcasting, both his life and the book were much more interesting. His break came when he was hired to do the games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was already broadcasting in St. Louis as he was covering minor league hockey games, but his love of baseball and skill at keeping the attention of listeners made the Cardinals want to keep him for many years. The radio network for the Cardinals, led by 50,000 watt station KMOX, grew exponentially during Caray’s time in St. Louis and the author, Don Zminda, writes that a lot of credit was given to Caray for this growth.
Most of his years in St. Louis, which also included two years of broadcasting the St. Louis Browns, he worked with former catcher Gabby Street. While he rarely had a negative thought about Street, the same cannot be said for many of Caray’s future broadcasting partners. The book covers many of these strained working relationships which included other legendary baseball broadcasters such as Jack Buck, Milo Hamilton and later with the White Sox, Jimmy Piersall. Most of these relationships were later repaired to the point where everyone but Hamilton had much praise for Caray.
In a dispute that never was fully explained nor understood, including in the book, Caray left the Cardinals in 1970. He did radio work for the Oakland Athletics for one year before joining the Chicago White Sox, a gig he held for 11 years. His time with the White Sox was marked by growing popularity with the fans and in turn, the White Sox, who were on the verge of moving, became more popular with the city’s South Side residents. Like in St. Louis, much of this popularity is given to Caray and the author again gives a complete and balanced account of this opinion. The book also discusses in great detail his harsh criticism of White Sox players such as Bill Melton. This is another aspect of Caray’s career in which I believed Zminda handled fairly and in a balanced manner.
However, Caray’s legendary status was cemented when he joined the Cubs in 1982, leaving the White Sox and their pay television venture to continue broadcasting on “free” over-the-air TV with the Cubs and WGN. He was doing games in the bleachers at Wrigley Field and enjoying beers with the fans. He led fans in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch, which became bigger than the Cubs game at times. It is fair to say, and Zminda does so in several ways, that Caray was the reason the Cubs became so popular even when they were not performing well on the field.
His drinking and late-night lifestyle was as legendary as his work. Many people in the book, including his third wife and many broadcast partners, comment that they could not keep up with Harry. After a stroke in 1987 and other medical scares in later years, this was toned down, but Harry still kept up an active nightlife until very late in his life.
There is one more aspect of Caray’s career that Zminda handled very fairly and that was his many mistakes and malapropos late in his career. While that endeared him even more to many Cubs fans, it was drawing much criticism from other fans and also other baseball journalists, both in print and on the air. While many of these critics acknowledged his greatness, they simply believed it was time for Harry to retire. However, that never really happened as he stayed on the air with the Cubs through the 1997 season and he died before the 1998 season. That was hard on his family, not only for his loss, but he was scheduled to broadcast with his grandson Chip beginning that season. It was the one thing he wanted to do that didn’t happen. Otherwise, he led an amazing life that any reader who has heard of the man, whether that reader was a fan of Caray or a critic, will want to read about in this excellent book.
I wish to thank Rowman and Littlefield for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Born Harry Christopher Carabina, Caray was raised in a modest manner in St. Louis with his siblings by his mother Daisy until she died of pneumonia when Harry was 14. He was also a good baseball player, which is covered in this book as well as his broadcasting ability. When he couldn’t accept a spot on the baseball team at the University of Alabama, he tried to enlist in the armed forces to serve in World War II. Due to poor eyesight, he was rejected but this led to his turning to baseball broadcasting.
Once Caray turned to broadcasting, both his life and the book were much more interesting. His break came when he was hired to do the games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was already broadcasting in St. Louis as he was covering minor league hockey games, but his love of baseball and skill at keeping the attention of listeners made the Cardinals want to keep him for many years. The radio network for the Cardinals, led by 50,000 watt station KMOX, grew exponentially during Caray’s time in St. Louis and the author, Don Zminda, writes that a lot of credit was given to Caray for this growth.
Most of his years in St. Louis, which also included two years of broadcasting the St. Louis Browns, he worked with former catcher Gabby Street. While he rarely had a negative thought about Street, the same cannot be said for many of Caray’s future broadcasting partners. The book covers many of these strained working relationships which included other legendary baseball broadcasters such as Jack Buck, Milo Hamilton and later with the White Sox, Jimmy Piersall. Most of these relationships were later repaired to the point where everyone but Hamilton had much praise for Caray.
In a dispute that never was fully explained nor understood, including in the book, Caray left the Cardinals in 1970. He did radio work for the Oakland Athletics for one year before joining the Chicago White Sox, a gig he held for 11 years. His time with the White Sox was marked by growing popularity with the fans and in turn, the White Sox, who were on the verge of moving, became more popular with the city’s South Side residents. Like in St. Louis, much of this popularity is given to Caray and the author again gives a complete and balanced account of this opinion. The book also discusses in great detail his harsh criticism of White Sox players such as Bill Melton. This is another aspect of Caray’s career in which I believed Zminda handled fairly and in a balanced manner.
However, Caray’s legendary status was cemented when he joined the Cubs in 1982, leaving the White Sox and their pay television venture to continue broadcasting on “free” over-the-air TV with the Cubs and WGN. He was doing games in the bleachers at Wrigley Field and enjoying beers with the fans. He led fans in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch, which became bigger than the Cubs game at times. It is fair to say, and Zminda does so in several ways, that Caray was the reason the Cubs became so popular even when they were not performing well on the field.
His drinking and late-night lifestyle was as legendary as his work. Many people in the book, including his third wife and many broadcast partners, comment that they could not keep up with Harry. After a stroke in 1987 and other medical scares in later years, this was toned down, but Harry still kept up an active nightlife until very late in his life.
There is one more aspect of Caray’s career that Zminda handled very fairly and that was his many mistakes and malapropos late in his career. While that endeared him even more to many Cubs fans, it was drawing much criticism from other fans and also other baseball journalists, both in print and on the air. While many of these critics acknowledged his greatness, they simply believed it was time for Harry to retire. However, that never really happened as he stayed on the air with the Cubs through the 1997 season and he died before the 1998 season. That was hard on his family, not only for his loss, but he was scheduled to broadcast with his grandson Chip beginning that season. It was the one thing he wanted to do that didn’t happen. Otherwise, he led an amazing life that any reader who has heard of the man, whether that reader was a fan of Caray or a critic, will want to read about in this excellent book.
I wish to thank Rowman and Littlefield for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
September 23, 2024
Love him or hate him, Harry Caray was an institution in Chicago. Some may say he should have been institutionalized.
Don Zminda has written a fair account of Caray's blusterous, paradoxical, bumbling, yet brilliant career. Somehow, Caray, with his mispronounced words, his off-color remarks, his criticizing his co-broadcasters on air, was beloved. Maybe it's because he represented the fans who followed the lowly Cubs during his radio/tv tenure.
Zminda has offered a well-researched book about Caray. He doesn't gloss over things; he includes a lot of the criticism from other broadcasters, players and even fans, along with the glowing accolades from listeners. Many loved his 7th inning rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," but Zminda also includes those who thought it was embarrassing. Caray's partner, Milo Hamilton was so upset with the act that he'd turn his back in the broadcast booth while Harry sang. Zminda also suggests that Caray had a lot more power than just as a broadcaster, offering that management decisions hinged at times on Caray's opinion. Zminda suggests even that the White Sox remained in Chicago rather than head to Florida due to Caray's popularity when he was calling the Sox games.
Caray came across as a goofy, lovable character, but there was also a cutting edge to him. Many of his co-workers complained about how Caray had to be the top star of the show and told them to tone it down and avoid long anecdotes, to the point of only telling listeners the balls and strikes count. Josh Lewin, a partner late in Caray's career, said he felt he was forbidden to even enter the broadcast booth during some games.
I wished, in part, that Zminda included more about Caray's family life with his son and grandson, Skip and Chip. I, like so many in the early 1980s, listened to Skip Caray's calls of the Atlanta Braves on WTBS because those games were on most cable stations. Zminda did mention that a few opportunities for the Caray's to work together were quashed because of contract negotiations and pay.
Caray was a heavy drinker and womanizer and Zminda includes that, to the point of figuring out he must have had 300,000 drinks during his career. Of course, that hard life led to his downfall; first the stroke and then his 1998 demise.
Regardless if you liked Caray, Zminda gives readers an interesting, well-written look at the man who was a part of Chicago history.
Don Zminda has written a fair account of Caray's blusterous, paradoxical, bumbling, yet brilliant career. Somehow, Caray, with his mispronounced words, his off-color remarks, his criticizing his co-broadcasters on air, was beloved. Maybe it's because he represented the fans who followed the lowly Cubs during his radio/tv tenure.
Zminda has offered a well-researched book about Caray. He doesn't gloss over things; he includes a lot of the criticism from other broadcasters, players and even fans, along with the glowing accolades from listeners. Many loved his 7th inning rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," but Zminda also includes those who thought it was embarrassing. Caray's partner, Milo Hamilton was so upset with the act that he'd turn his back in the broadcast booth while Harry sang. Zminda also suggests that Caray had a lot more power than just as a broadcaster, offering that management decisions hinged at times on Caray's opinion. Zminda suggests even that the White Sox remained in Chicago rather than head to Florida due to Caray's popularity when he was calling the Sox games.
Caray came across as a goofy, lovable character, but there was also a cutting edge to him. Many of his co-workers complained about how Caray had to be the top star of the show and told them to tone it down and avoid long anecdotes, to the point of only telling listeners the balls and strikes count. Josh Lewin, a partner late in Caray's career, said he felt he was forbidden to even enter the broadcast booth during some games.
I wished, in part, that Zminda included more about Caray's family life with his son and grandson, Skip and Chip. I, like so many in the early 1980s, listened to Skip Caray's calls of the Atlanta Braves on WTBS because those games were on most cable stations. Zminda did mention that a few opportunities for the Caray's to work together were quashed because of contract negotiations and pay.
Caray was a heavy drinker and womanizer and Zminda includes that, to the point of figuring out he must have had 300,000 drinks during his career. Of course, that hard life led to his downfall; first the stroke and then his 1998 demise.
Regardless if you liked Caray, Zminda gives readers an interesting, well-written look at the man who was a part of Chicago history.
July 6, 2019
As a lifelong Cubs fan, Harry Caray was a part of my life before I knew how to walk. He is inextricably linked to some of my favorite memories of summer afternoons with my grandfather. I feel like this was an exhaustive and loving tribute to him, warts and all. A must read for any Cubs fan.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
August 14, 2025
I grew up rooting for the Cubs as a young kid starting in the late 80’s and Harry Caray was our guy. Since I was so young, I had no idea he had been broadcasting for decades before for the Cardinals, A’s and White Sox. As I grew older, long after Harry had passed away, I had heard passing references to some of his personal flaws; affairs, excessive drinking and selfishness, but this book provided me with a lot of background about his difficult childhood and how he became the person I knew from watching him on TV. He was despised and mocked by some, but beloved like no other by virtually all the fans of the team he was broadcasting. He truly was unique and made baseball fun! He was a fan in the booth and it was refreshing to hear. He said things us fans were thinking and wanted to say. Harry was one of us, and for me personally, he is someone I’ll never forget. This book might be, it could be, it is…. a home run! Holy Cow!
October 30, 2019
Don Zminda has written a remarkable and entertaining read on "Holy Cow!" Harry Caray can be described in many ways but one thing is constant, there will never be a sports announcer like him for he is definitely one of a kind.
Rising from being a child who did not know his biological Mom or Dad, the struggles that ensued, and the rise to being the best in his chosen career equates boldly with the American Dream. No question about it, Harry loved baseball and his worldly flock of fans. He was a fan's announcer, calling 'em as he sees them whether it be a ballplayer, owner and the game he loved deeply. Rest in peace, Harry, you legacy lives on!
Rising from being a child who did not know his biological Mom or Dad, the struggles that ensued, and the rise to being the best in his chosen career equates boldly with the American Dream. No question about it, Harry loved baseball and his worldly flock of fans. He was a fan's announcer, calling 'em as he sees them whether it be a ballplayer, owner and the game he loved deeply. Rest in peace, Harry, you legacy lives on!
February 18, 2019
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fantastic exploration of the life and career of Harry Caray. Personality quirks, triumphs, controversies, shortcomings, and peer interactions are all covered in this book. The is an exquisite attention to detail on the life of Harry Caray, and this attention to detail paints the full picture of a beloved, but flawed individual. Any fan of baseball should give this book a read in order to gain a greater level of understanding of an iconic figure in the game's history.
Fantastic exploration of the life and career of Harry Caray. Personality quirks, triumphs, controversies, shortcomings, and peer interactions are all covered in this book. The is an exquisite attention to detail on the life of Harry Caray, and this attention to detail paints the full picture of a beloved, but flawed individual. Any fan of baseball should give this book a read in order to gain a greater level of understanding of an iconic figure in the game's history.
May 13, 2019
What I love about this book is how much I learned from it. I’ve been a lifelong Cub fan, but there’s plenty of information here with which I wasn’t familiar. About much more than Harry Carey. Stuff about Bill Veeck, the history of the Cubs and White Sox, other sportscasters, the teams’ ballparks.
The author has an easily accessible, down to earth style that makes his book a quick, enjoyable read for any baseball fan. If you love baseball, and even if for some bizarre reason you never even heard of Harry Carey, you’ll still like this book.
Highly recommended.
The author has an easily accessible, down to earth style that makes his book a quick, enjoyable read for any baseball fan. If you love baseball, and even if for some bizarre reason you never even heard of Harry Carey, you’ll still like this book.
Highly recommended.
May 27, 2019
Great Bio About An Interesting Character
I never knew so much about Caray and the more I read the more I wanted to know. As a former Chicagoan but lifetime Cubs fan, this is an awesome book which will definitely be my go-to reference for all things Cubs and Caray.
I never knew so much about Caray and the more I read the more I wanted to know. As a former Chicagoan but lifetime Cubs fan, this is an awesome book which will definitely be my go-to reference for all things Cubs and Caray.
April 21, 2019
This biography was well researched and contained a lot of information that I hadn’t previously read in other books. The author’s attention to detail is evident in the writing. Highly recommend!
April 9, 2024
There are several Harry Caray books out there, but if you want a comprehensive, thoroughly researched and yet entertaining story of his life and career, look no further than here. The author takes the reader through Harry’s life in chronological order and is quite objective in covering the countless controversies Harry was part of. Harry was like the Larry David character in the Curb Your Enthusiasm TV series, constantly getting himself in trouble (mostly self-created), but always finding his way out of it.
Five stars! Holy Cow!
Five stars! Holy Cow!
October 25, 2019
I am a Cleveland fan so I only heard Harry broadcast several times so I had no opinion about him. The book therefore never grab my interest and took over a week to read the 270 pages.
If you liked Harry you should read the book.
If you liked Harry you should read the book.
March 9, 2020
Good overview of the life of a very complex man. His life was kinda a mess, though he was one of the most beloved broadcasters of all time. Felt like the book was a little cut and dry in some places. Really did enjoy the willingness to explore his complexity and flaws which were many.
June 21, 2021
Harry Caray was one of our most entertaining baseball broadcasters. Zminda's well-researched biography details Harry's colorful career, especially his work with the Cardinals, the White Sox, and the Cubs. The biography is as lively and enjoyable as a Harry Caray broadcast.
February 11, 2023
The book is extensively researches, but Zminda spends more time talking about the Cardinals and the White Sox than he actually does about Harry Caray. Some background is helpful, but, in a biography of Harry Caray, I want to read mostly about Harry Caray.
January 13, 2024
With a subject as hilarious as Harry Caray, who lived such a full life l have no idea how this writer could possibly write a biography as dull and boring as this book is.
October 5, 2020
Good book. Very informative.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews