Columnist Tim Graham: Caray’s HR call topped rehearsed babble

Tim Graham

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 | 10:45 a.m.

TIM GRAHAM is a Las Vegas Sun sportswriter. His media column appears Wednesdays. He can be reached on the Internet at tim@lasvegassun.com

As much as baseball fans miss Harry Caray, they should be thankful his grandson was the one behind the microphone for Mark McGwire's historic 62nd home run Tuesday night.

The exuberant call of Chip Caray, who replaced his deceased grandfather this year as the Chicago Cubs' play-by-play voice on WGN-TV, may be linked forever with the shot that broke Roger Maris' hallowed record.

McGwire's monumental moment put the game in jeopardy for the Cubs, who are battling for the National League Wild Card bid. But Caray wasn't about to bemoan this bomb:

"First pitch ... A rocket deep toward left ... Heeeeee did it! He did it! He did it! He did it! He did it!"

Caray captured the excitement and importance of the moment with simplicity and spontaneity. Then he let the pictures speak for themselves.

While the other home run calls were effective, they seemed too rehearsed and flowery.

* Jack Buck on Fox Sports: "Down the left-field line! Is it enough? Gone! There it is! Sixty-two! Touch first (base), Mark! You are the new single-season home run king!"

* Mike Shannon -- an old teammate of Maris -- on St. Louis' KMOX radio: "It's going into the corner! It might make it! There it is -- 62, folks! And we have a new home run champion, a new Sultan of Swat! It's Mark McGwire!"

* Pat Hughes on Chicago's WGN radio: "Here's the pitch ... and McGwire drives one deep to left! It could be ... it is a home run! No. 62 for Mark McGwire! A slice of history and a magical moment in St. Louis! A line-drive home run to left for Mark McGwire!"

But how would have Caray's grandfather handled it? Old Harry's eyes went long before McGwire starting smashing binocular blasts as a rookie in 1987. And his reaction time started slipping shortly thereafter.

It's pretty much certain Harry wouldn't have had enough time to process the moment quickly enough to do offer his "There's a drive. It might be ... it could be ... it is! A home run! Holy cow!" call.

In fact, Harry might have slurred something like this: "There's a line drive to left field. Fading foul. Home run. Steve Trachsel threw a terrible pitch. Wow, you know McGwire spelled backwards is Eriwgcm."

As far as the total package, Fox Sports carried the game nationally and had all of its toys at its disposal. But WGN's coverage -- especially the aftermath -- that was the best.

Fox did not provide thorough postgame coverage because it was under the gun for pre- empting the season premiere of "King of the Hill," the series debut of "Costello" and a special presentation of "Guiness World Records: Primetime." And it was unprofessional for Buck to ask McGwire for a hug to start their interview.

But WGN did it right, completely airing the McGwire postgame presentation and press conference. WGN went non-stop McGwire until 9:14 p.m. local time, nearly three hours after that magical fourth-inning homer and an hour after Fox went back to its regularly scheduled programming.

As much as Fox dropped the ball, ESPN was hurt even more by the timing. The all-sports network bragged all weekend it was going to carry the Cardinals game in Cincinnati today at 4:30 p.m.

Suffice to say, the call of No. 63 will not be as dramatic.

Condolences

The father-in-law of UNLV football color commentator Steve Stallworthpassed away this weekend. The misfortune forced the former Rebel quarterback from the television broadcast booth for the team's season opening defeat at Northwestern.

Another former Rebel, Hunkie Cooper, was set to make his broadcast debut on radio, before he was pressed into TV service. Cooper sat beside play-by-play man Ken Korach for UNLV's maiden telecast on KFBT Channel 33.

Cooper's absence left UNLV broadcast manager Tony Cordasco alone with the radio duties on KXNT 840-AM.

Going national

Las Vegas Stars broadcaster Jon Sandler will get his first national TV gig when he works ESPN2's coverage of the Triple-A World Series at Cashman Field.

Sandler's on-air duties have yet to be assigned, but he will be the third man on a crew that consists of play-by-play voice Ted Loduca and color commentator Dave Campbell.

"I'm honored. I'm thrilled," said Sandler, who just completed his sixth Stars campaign. "I hope a lot of people think I've earned it. I've worked really, really hard. I think I've improved my craft and gotten to be a pretty good baseball broadcaster."

Sandler's career objective centers around his desire to call major-league baseball on radio. He is uncertain if his latest break will translate into a step up the ladder.

"Whether this one assignment can be a springboard to this goal," Sandler said, "it certainly can't hurt."

Don't bother

KVVU Channel 5's 10 p.m. sportscast -- a voiced-over highlight segment similar to CNN's "Headline News" -- is attractive in theory. Yet it is handled so shabbily it isn't worth watching.

Announcer Tom Hall is as sharp as a rolling pin, with no idea which words or phrases to accentuate. He also has the unforgivable habit of mispronouncing names. Not even Las Vegas' favorite son, Andre Agassi, was immune from a name butchering Tuesday night.