For anyone who cares...
With the 2004 season over, here's the wrapup from the Cubs broadcast booth: Chip Caray is going. Steve Stone wants to stay, but he could be going too.
The Cubs' television team could get a complete makeover in 2005. Caray called his last Cubs game Sunday, disclosing afterward that he had taken a job with the Atlanta Braves, where he will be reunited with his father, Skip.
Stone, meanwhile, continued to get caught up in speculation that he could be out because of the fallout from the critical comments he has made about the Cubs and manager Dusty Baker.
After Caray announced on the air that he wasn't returning, Stone said to his partner, "I look for better days down the road. Maybe we'll run into each other again. Who knows? It may be sooner than we think."
Later, when asked if he expected to return, Stone said, "Yes." Stone's contract calls for a team option on whether to bring him back for 2005.
Team sources varied on Stone's status. The sentiment ranged from probable to "flip a coin."
Caray's future is certain. He decided Friday to accept an offer from the Braves.
The Cubs could have matched the deal but opted against it. The Atlanta deal reportedly called for significantly more money.
The decision disappointed Stone, who had grown close to Caray.
"I'm disappointed I will not be in the broadcast booth in Chicago with Chip," Stone said. "I would have loved them to have matched the contract offer. But this is a business, and they made a business decision. From an emotional standpoint, I would have liked to have worked the rest of my career with Chip."
But Caray said the financial component was only part of his decision. The deal enables him to call games on superstation TBS and gets him closer to his family's home in Orlando.
The Cubs' TV voice since 1998 also wanted the chance to work with his father. He talked of his parents being divorced while he was young and how this would be a chance to get to know Skip better.
"The opportunity to get closer to home and to work with my dad was something I couldn't pass up," Caray said. "Believe me, it was not an easy decision to make. I had to do what was best for myself and my family."
Caray insisted his decision had nothing to do with the acrimony that had developed between the team and the announcers during the season. He stressed that he loved working with the Cubs.
"What took place between the players and the media is not uncommon," Caray said. "I have great respect for Dusty, and most of the players treated me great. It's unfortunate that what happened happened. Hopefully, it won't happen to whoever inherits this situation."
Stone also would like to avoid a repeat of this year's highly publicized problems.
"When you get more ink than George Bush and John Kerry, that's not the best thing in the world," Stone said. "It's been a trying season."
Stone said he had resolved differences with Baker. According to sources Baker has indicated he would not stand in the way of Stone returning.
If Stone returns, he said he wouldn't alter his broadcast style. He remains popular with the fans. He received a big ovation during the seventh-inning stretch Sunday.
"The one thing (Harry Caray) said when I took the job is when you look at that camera, make sure you're honest. Tell the truth," Stone said. "When things are going good, I'll say it. When things are going bad, I'll say it. The fans appreciate that."
If the Cubs retain him, Stone said he hopes the team will consult with him over his broadcast partner. It will be the first time he has worked with somebody other than a Caray since he joined the Cubs booth in 1983.
"If Jim (as in actor Jim Carrey) isn't available, I would like to play a role as to who will be my partner," Stone said.
With the 2004 season over, here's the wrapup from the Cubs broadcast booth: Chip Caray is going. Steve Stone wants to stay, but he could be going too.
The Cubs' television team could get a complete makeover in 2005. Caray called his last Cubs game Sunday, disclosing afterward that he had taken a job with the Atlanta Braves, where he will be reunited with his father, Skip.
Stone, meanwhile, continued to get caught up in speculation that he could be out because of the fallout from the critical comments he has made about the Cubs and manager Dusty Baker.
After Caray announced on the air that he wasn't returning, Stone said to his partner, "I look for better days down the road. Maybe we'll run into each other again. Who knows? It may be sooner than we think."
Later, when asked if he expected to return, Stone said, "Yes." Stone's contract calls for a team option on whether to bring him back for 2005.
Team sources varied on Stone's status. The sentiment ranged from probable to "flip a coin."
Caray's future is certain. He decided Friday to accept an offer from the Braves.
The Cubs could have matched the deal but opted against it. The Atlanta deal reportedly called for significantly more money.
The decision disappointed Stone, who had grown close to Caray.
"I'm disappointed I will not be in the broadcast booth in Chicago with Chip," Stone said. "I would have loved them to have matched the contract offer. But this is a business, and they made a business decision. From an emotional standpoint, I would have liked to have worked the rest of my career with Chip."
But Caray said the financial component was only part of his decision. The deal enables him to call games on superstation TBS and gets him closer to his family's home in Orlando.
The Cubs' TV voice since 1998 also wanted the chance to work with his father. He talked of his parents being divorced while he was young and how this would be a chance to get to know Skip better.
"The opportunity to get closer to home and to work with my dad was something I couldn't pass up," Caray said. "Believe me, it was not an easy decision to make. I had to do what was best for myself and my family."
Caray insisted his decision had nothing to do with the acrimony that had developed between the team and the announcers during the season. He stressed that he loved working with the Cubs.
"What took place between the players and the media is not uncommon," Caray said. "I have great respect for Dusty, and most of the players treated me great. It's unfortunate that what happened happened. Hopefully, it won't happen to whoever inherits this situation."
Stone also would like to avoid a repeat of this year's highly publicized problems.
"When you get more ink than George Bush and John Kerry, that's not the best thing in the world," Stone said. "It's been a trying season."
Stone said he had resolved differences with Baker. According to sources Baker has indicated he would not stand in the way of Stone returning.
If Stone returns, he said he wouldn't alter his broadcast style. He remains popular with the fans. He received a big ovation during the seventh-inning stretch Sunday.
"The one thing (Harry Caray) said when I took the job is when you look at that camera, make sure you're honest. Tell the truth," Stone said. "When things are going good, I'll say it. When things are going bad, I'll say it. The fans appreciate that."
If the Cubs retain him, Stone said he hopes the team will consult with him over his broadcast partner. It will be the first time he has worked with somebody other than a Caray since he joined the Cubs booth in 1983.
"If Jim (as in actor Jim Carrey) isn't available, I would like to play a role as to who will be my partner," Stone said.
