Chip Caray knows a thing or two about baseball. During his more than three decade career as a sportscaster, he covered the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs—just to name a few. After all, it runs in his blood. He’s the grandson of the great Harry Caray. Now, the hometowner has come back to the StL to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and provide play-by-play as the voice of the Cardinals.
Did you ever imagine you’d be a broadcaster for the Cardinals?
It still doesn’t seem real. Growing up in St. Louis, I listened to Jack Buck, Mike Shannon and Bob Starr. When I was starting out in Orlando covering the Magic, I was approached to become a Cardinals broadcaster with Joe Buck. I couldn’t take the opportunity at the time, but I always wondered about it in the back of my mind. I knew I was passing up something great—it’s one of the best broadcasting jobs in baseball. I never imagined I’d get another chance. It’s really exciting and a lot of fun.
Does having grown up in St. Louis give you a leg up on what fans expect?
I think it forms a connection. I watch and listen to the games and appreciate the franchise like they do. Even when I came as a visiting broadcaster, it was so apparent that St. Louisans love and know baseball. We all want our team to win, but we cheer just as hard when the other team makes a great play. There’s an honest appreciation for hard work. We all share the same love affair with baseball and want to see the game unfold before our eyes.
You have twin sons who are also broadcasters. What advice did you give them?
Be yourself. This is a personality driven business. You have to be a limited edition of one, not a copy of anyone else. I told them if they wanted to start this job, I would help them in any way I could, but I didn’t care if they were broadcasters. I just want them to be happy, productive and good people.
Where did you hangout in St. Louis growing up?
I was a dishwasher at Rich & Charlie’s. My maternal grandparents would also take me to Schneithorst’s. I lived out in West County, so I would go to the Chesterfield Mall and hit up the Orange Julius. St. Louis is just a great place to grow up. There’s the sports culture, you get to experience all of the seasons, and the midwestern sensibility has a genuineness to it that you don’t find everywhere.
Is there anywhere you’re looking forward to visiting now?
I want to go to some of the haunts my grandpa went to. I haven’t been to Tony’s yet. There’s a story that he and Jack were doing a game at the old stadium and decided to get dinner downtown. When they walked in, the whole restaurant turned and gave them a standing ovation. It’s amazing to think about the effect those two men had on the growth of baseball.
How would you describe your style?
Very casual. We live in St. Augustine, Florida, and dressing up means putting on a really nice pair of flip flops. It’s a beach town, so everything is relaxed. A good t-shirt and pair of shorts will get you into a nice restaurant, and it’ll also get you through the drive-thru.
What is your biggest clothing crime?
I love to paint—like walls, not artistically. My workout gear is covered in paint, and I never throw it away. It drives my wife crazy.
