Chicago Cubs Baseball

If you’re a baseball fan, you know of Harry Caray. If you’re a Chicago Cubs baseball fan, then you know Harry Caray.

Or at least you might think you do.

The documentary, Hello Again Everybody - the Harry Caray Story, could change that opinion as you travel through the life of one of major league baseball’s most famous announcers.

Narrated by current Chicago Cub radio play-by-play man, Pat Hughes, the viewer is taken on a 72-minute journey into Harry’s world through the words of family, friends, colleagues - and yes, even Harry has something to say.

Insightful throughout, commentary is distributed from those who knew Harry professionally (Steve Stone) or personally (Dutchie Caray). And yes, the Chicago Cubs are well represented in the film with thoughts from Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg.

It’s an emotional trip for sure. But the ride is worth every minute as we learn about Harry from his orphaned childhood to his eventual passing in 1998. This is a story that chronicles Harry the child, the man and eventual, American icon.

Make no mistake. This film is a celebration of Harry’s life and loves. For as we learn, wife Dutchie was the love of his life, but announcing baseball was his passion.

From 1981 to 1998, there were undoubtedly those announcers more polished. But it’s safe to say no one in the game of baseball captured a city’s love like Harry Caray. The Cubs were the product, but Harry was the show.

While the Chicago Cubs faces and failures changed and grew, there was always one constant to pull us through - Harry’s voice.

Maybe Bob Costas sums up Cubdom’s adoration for Harry best: “The Cubs were a great fit for Harry. Wrigley Field. The history of the team. The love that’s star-crossed. But the hope of Harry’s voice, even into his 80’s, expressed that hope of a new day, a new season: First inning. Start over. Get them tomorrow. Get them next year.”

The love Chicago Cubs fans had for Harry went beyond the simple pleasures of being a “Cub fan, and a Bud man.” He was above all else, the ultimate fan. And his words were our thoughts, and our pain was his pain.

Harry is missed. But I can think of few ways better to spend a cold winter’s night than sharing an hour with Harry. I encourage you to watch “Hello Again Everybody.”

Like Harry, it’s a treasure.