Retirement for longtime Atlanta Braves announcer

Longtime Atlanta Braves broadcast voice Pete Van Wieren announced his retirement Tuesday. Van Wieren called Braves games for 33 years, dating back to 1975. In a statement, Van Wieren says stepping away is "simply a desire to live life without restrictions of a baseball schedule".

This marks the second monumental change in the Braves’ broadcast booth in only three months time--longtime radio partner Skip Caray passed away in August.

Van Wieren in his long broadcast career also did work for the former Atlanta Flames hockey team, and NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. He was a 10-time winner of the Georgia Sportscaster of the Year Award.

Hundreds gather to honor Caray

Hundreds of Braves fans turned-out for a public tribute this morning for the late team broadcaster Skip Caray, who died nine days ago.

"It’s Skip Caray’s birthday today...he would have been 69 today".

...And with that, fellow broadcaster Joe Simpson opened the hour-long ceremony at Turner Field in Atlanta. The event put-on by the team was meant to accommodate the many fans who couldn’t get into Monday’s funeral service for Caray.

Several speakers remembered the fun, and funny stories of their time with Skip Caray.
Those who spoke included Simpson, fellow broadcaster Pete Van Wieren, Braves pitcher John Smoltz, and Governor Sonny Perdue.

Oldest son Chip carries-on his father’s broadcasting legacy. Speaking last, he thanked fans for the outpouring of support the family’s received:

"He loved saying nothing more than 'listen to this crowd!'. You all were the bass notes of the soundtrack of my father's life. It is with your blessings that we've been able to get through this week, and his memory will indeed live-on with us and with you".

Tonight, the Braves play the first home game since Caray’s death, and another tribute is planned.

Caray remembered in memorial service

Family, friends, colleagues and fans packed an Atlanta church yesterday afternoon to honor Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. The longtime announcer was remembered in a full Catholic Mass, eight days after his death. Speakers at the service included former colleague Pete Van Wieren and current Braves pitcher John Smoltz. Braves 3rd baseman Chipper Jones said it was important for the team to attend the service:

"A chance for us to pay our respects to a guy who's been as big an ambassador for the Atlanta Braves as any of us players".

During the service, the monsignor of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Tom Kenney, found a way to compare Caray's journey home, to that of a baseball play.

"Here comes the slide, Skip's safe. Listen to the crowd of angels and saints. They're going beserk".

This morning at 10am, the Braves organization will hold a public tribute ceremony at Turner Field open to all fans. Speakers expected include Governor Sonny Perdue, longtime Caray broadcast colleague Pete Van Wieren, Caray's son Chip, and Braves pitcher John Smoltz.

Georgia sports for Monday, August 11th

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves wrapped their road trip out West with a 6-1 loss at Arizona Sunday afternoon. For the 7-game swing, the Braves won 4, including 3-of-4 in Phoneix against the Diamondbacks--leaders of the NL-West division. It was not the good day for pitcher Mike Hampton, who was rocked for 5 hits and 6 runs in only 4 innings of work. The Braves' offense was held in check by Arizona-starter Brandon Webb in his 6 innings on the hill. Veteran 3rd-baseman Chipper Jones returned to the lineup from the disabled list with 4 hits in 10 at-bats. His major league leading average stands at .370. The Braves have today off before opening a home-series against the Chicago Cubs.

Braves/Skip Caray--

The Braves, along with family and friends, will attend this afternoon'e memorial service for Skip Caray. A week ago Sunday the longtime Braves broadcaster died at his Atlanta home. Tomorrow morning, a tribute event is planned for fans at Turner Field, followed by a pre-game ceremony before Tuesday's game.

Atlanta Falcons/pre-season--

The Falcons on Saturday night lost 20-17 at Jacksonville in their opening game of the preseason. But there were kudos for the team's top draft pick, quarterback Matt Ryan. The thrid overall selection in this April's NFL Draft showed well in his first pro action, leading the team on an 11-play touchdown drive.

Memorial service for Braves broadcaster today

A memorial service will be held this afternoon for longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. The legendary announcer died a week ago Sunday. The 4pm service this afternoon will be held in Atlanta at Christ the King Cathedral. The Braves just returned from a road trip, and indications are that most--if not all--of the players and coaches are expected to attend.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, August 6th

Warner Robins Little League--

The little leaguers of Warner Robins have advanced to the semifinals of the Southeast Regional tournament in Gulfport, Florida. Warner Robins beat West Virginia 14-3 on Tuesday afternoon. They will now face Alabama this afternoon at 5pm. Today's winner would move-on to the regional championship Friday night.

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves bounced-back to the winning track with an 11-4 win over the Giants in San Francisco Tuesday night. Veteran pitcher Mike Hampton waited a long time to finally record another victory--almost three years. Hampton has made 3 starts since returning to action in July. Previous to his return, he's been rehabbing from an assortment of injuries. Last night, Hampton worked 7 innings with 4 hits and 2 runs allowed to post his first win since August 2005.

Braves/Skip Caray--

The family of late Braves broadcaster Skip Caray has announced plans for his memorial service. It will be held next Monday afternoon in Atlanta, 4pm, at Christ the King Cathedral.

In lieu of flowers, the Caray family has requested donations be made to any of the following charitable organizations: Camp Twin Lakes, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, and the Small Dog Rescue and Humane Society.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, August 5th

Atlanta Braves--

The Atlanta Braves opened their 7-game road trip on a losing note, falling 4-2 to the Giants in the series opener from San Francisco. The Braves have now lost 8 of their last 10 games. The team hopes to get veteran pitcher Tom Glavine back on the roster soon, perhaps this weekend. Glavine could be ready following a rehab minor league start Monday at Class-A Myrtle Beach, going 4 innings with 3 hits, a run and 4 strikeouts on his pitching line. Glavine has missed 8 weeks of action with a left elbow injury.

Braves/Skip Caray--

The Braves’ organization is still dealing with the death of longtime broadcaster Skip Caray. The Atlanta Journal Constitution spoke with Caray’s widow Paula on Monday. She revealed that Caray was feeding birds in the backyard of their home Sunday when she noticed he had collapsed. The Braves’ say the early report of Caray passing away in his sleep was based on information they had at the time. Caray was a radio and TV broadcaster for the club for 33 years.

Georgia Bulldogs football/suspensions--

The Georgia Bulldogs football team is making news again this week--for the wrong reasons. The list of suspended players got longer on Monday. Junior linebacker Darius Dewberry admits he caused damage to property at St Mary’s Hospital in Athens--he’s been suspended for the first two games of the upcoming season. Two other players were suspended indefinitely last weekend for incidents in Athens. Georgia has suspended eight players this offseason. The Bulldogs have been tapped by the national coaches as the top-ranked team in the country heading into the 2008 season.

Warner Robins Little League--

The baseball kids of Warner Robins need to win their game this afternoon in the Southeast Regional tournament to keep their hope alive of returning to the Little League World Series. Last night, Warner Robins, Georgia's state champion, lost to the champion from Florida 3-2. Warner Robins' must-win game is ahead this afternoon against West Virginia at 1pm.

Braves announcer Skip Caray dies

In this May 13, 1991 file photo, Hall of Fame baseball announcer Harry Caray, center, with his son Skip, right, and grandson Chip, pose together in Chicago. The three generations were to broadcast the Cubs and Atlanta Braves game that night. (AP Photo/John Zich, File)

The Atlanta Braves say longtime broadcaster Skip Caray, the son of famous Chicago Cubs voice Harry Caray, has died in his sleep. He was 68 years old.

The team says Skip Caray died in his Atlanta home on Sunday. He had suffered several ailments in the last year but had recovered enough to continue calling Braves home games at Turner Field.

Caray was drawn into broadcasting by his father, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame known for his play-by-play calls for the Cubs.

Skip Caray was in the middle of his 33rd season with the Braves. The St. Louis native started in local radio and later joined his father at the University of Missouri calling football.

He joined the St. Louis Hawks NBA broadcasting team and followed them to Atlanta in 1967.

(The Associated Press)

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