Thoughts about Skip Carey

A few thoughts about the passing of Skip Carey:

The only certainty in life is change and with the passing for Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Carey, the voice of the Braves changes yet again. Much as it will then Larry Munson passes, there are generations of Southerners who link one man’s voice with their team. Carey’s appeal extended beyond the South, as his link to the country via TBS was as strong as any other national baseball broadcaster.

But for those, like myself, who spend much of their youth listening to Carey, Pete Van Wieren and Ernie Johnson, Sr. on the radio, yesterday marked the closing of a link to the past; the end of a link to our childhood.

Truth be told, I was always more fond of Van Wieren and Johnson than Carey. I enjoyed the Johnson’s grandfatherly charm and Van Wieren’s knowledge more than the, at times, abrasive nature of Carey. But Carey transcended the status of broadcaster. He was the face of the broadcast team. And when paired with Van Wieren, I, like many other, would switch from TV to radio at the bottom of the 4th as the broadcasters switched from radio to TV to listen to the pair. (This was especially true after Johnson retired.)

This weekend I happened to be in the car during the Friday and Saturday Braves broadcasts and noticed that Carey wasn’t at the mic. I wondered if he was ill, although I hadn’t heard of any latest troubles. Then when the news came last night, it hit me that was indeed the end. I only listened to a few minutes of Braves radio broadcasts this year. With television on delay, it’s impossible to listen to the radio broadcast while watching the game on TV. (Another in a long list of changes that are not for the better.) Earlier this month I did listen to a game on radio, in part because I knew Carey might not be around much longer before he officially retired. While I don’t remember much about the broadcast, I’m glad I made a point to listen.

This year has been the worst season for the Braves in almost 20 years. But now, more than anything, it will have another, tragic mark.

Carey’s passing is a reminder. A reminder that the glory days of the Braves franchise is behind us. That youth is behind us. That the times have changed, yet again.