Here's a quick story about the time Harry Caray said something about Hideo Nomo in September 1995 that might've gotten him fired today.
Thom Brennaman was on the #Cubs broadcasting team at the time.
Thom Brennaman was on the #Cubs broadcasting team at the time.
Speaking with manager Jim Riggleman on the pregame radio show, Caray made a comment about his own eyes as being "slanty" as Nomo's, who was on his way to winning the NL Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers.
chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-19…
chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-19…
According to the Tribune, Riggleman was "flustered" and quickly changed the subject for Caray, who was 81 at the time.
But it still became a story. The Japanese-American Citizens league asked WGN for an apology and said that Caray had used the word "Jap" on the air before.
But it still became a story. The Japanese-American Citizens league asked WGN for an apology and said that Caray had used the word "Jap" on the air before.
A WGN spokesperson apologized on air.
"It's very unfortunate that something like that is said and I don't condone it ... I'm sure Harry didn't mean anything by it because everybody knows Harry's not a malicious person. But it's the kind of thing that makes people uncomfortable."
"It's very unfortunate that something like that is said and I don't condone it ... I'm sure Harry didn't mean anything by it because everybody knows Harry's not a malicious person. But it's the kind of thing that makes people uncomfortable."
Asked the next day about it, Caray said he was "stunned" and "embarrassed" about the criticism.
"Anybody who knows me, even my detractors, will tell you I love everybody," he said to the Tribune.
"Anybody who knows me, even my detractors, will tell you I love everybody," he said to the Tribune.
"As a matter of fact, that's why I'm in the restaurant business. I can't go anywhere without saying hello to everybody. I don't care whether they're white, yellow, pink, brown, Oriental or whatever. I love everybody."
Said Riggleman:
"One thing about Harry: If there's a beautiful woman, he's going to acknowledge it. If you've got a great big, ugly pimple, he's gonna let you know about it.
"He doesn't mean anything about it. That's just Harry."
"One thing about Harry: If there's a beautiful woman, he's going to acknowledge it. If you've got a great big, ugly pimple, he's gonna let you know about it.
"He doesn't mean anything about it. That's just Harry."
Said Ron Santo:
"I hate to see this, Harry doesn't have a malicious bone in his body. He's the least prejudiced person I've known in my entire life."
"I hate to see this, Harry doesn't have a malicious bone in his body. He's the least prejudiced person I've known in my entire life."
Said the WGN GM at the time:
"Harry Caray is Harry Caray."
"Harry Caray is Harry Caray."
The controversy didn't last long and Caray reportedly refused to apologize on his own behalf.
But needless to say, it probably would not have played out the same way 25 years later.
But needless to say, it probably would not have played out the same way 25 years later.
BTW, I included this story in this morning's edition of the @MidwayMinute newsletter. If you like Chicago sports and Chicago sports history, you can sign up for it here --> midwayminute.win
