Chicago Cubs: What would Harry Caray think of the Marquee Network?

Chicago Cubs: Could Caray cut the mustard on Marquee?

We’re talking about a man who knew how to promote himself on and off the field. From ‘Holy Cow’ to Cub-fan and Bud-man, Caray kept fans’ attention focused on the fun of baseball, especially during losing seasons.

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While we all love the current broadcast team of Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies, who will move on to the Chicago Cubs Marquee Sports Network, they don’t have a real marketing brand between them. There is no Kasper/Deshaies marketing gimmick like, “Holy cow!” or “Bud-men”; basically they are just excellent, entertaining and ‘normal’ broadcast celebrities.

I wouldn’t say they need or have any gimmick and maybe that’s exactly what Marquee wants for its play callers. Or in a Seinfeldian world is their gimmick that they have no gimmick? Drive on Len and Jim!

Caray was heading toward superstar status before his death and if he had lived through the 2016 World Series Championship, I would assume it would be a pretty big deal if he were going on to Marquee. There would have to be negotiations for Caray’s endorsements with Budweiser beer and other of his mainstays.

We haven’t see Marquee sign a celebrity of Caray’s status for its channel like former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross or recent Hall of Fame inductee Lee Smith who already have endorsements which would be similar to a Caray signing.

In the end, Caray would surely go where he could call the plays of one of his favorite ball clubs, the Chicago Cubs. If it meant joining the Marquee team and leaving WGN, Harry was not shy in changing things up which is evident throughout his career. The real question is: would Harry have liked the Chicago Cubs Marquee Sports Network channel?

Of course we hope it’s the shining beacon of Cubs pride that we want it to be, but we can’t even consider it until the new Cubs channel is unveiled in February.  Hopefully Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse and even Kasper/Deshaies will live on through the historical Cubs broadcasts on the Marquee channel.