Longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray is angry at TBS for not including him on coverage of the 2007 Major League Baseball postseason, reports Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Caray, who will work the final national Braves telecast on TBS this Sunday, says he can “do a better job than a tennis announcer or a football-basketball announcer“, referencing Ted Robinson and Dick Stockton, respectively, both of whom were named play-by-play voices for TBS Division Series coverage.
“It hurt my feelings, and I’m mad at myself for thinking there was any loyalty left in this business … I’ve done a lot of good work for these people, and it’s hurtful that they apparently don’t think I can do good work anymore.” Fans on the Atlanta Journal Constitution website overwhelmingly side with Caray on this issue, with 86% of respondents saying they agree with his criticism of TBS.
Announcers revealing their displeasure with network personnel decisions is nothing new; after being demoted to the number three NFL broadcast team in 2006, CBS announcer Dick Enberg told the New York Times, “I was shocked when I got the call … I still regard myself as being very strong on football, and I think we had a great season. I can’t accept that my work is any less than it was in the past.”
Caray will remain with Turner, calling Braves games locally on Peachtree TV next season. (Peachtree TV is the new name of the local TBS affiliate in Atlanta). Caray’s son, Chip, is the lead voice of the Division Series and League Championship Series on TBS.
