Cubs: Len Kasper will catch Harry Caray for 16 years behind the mic

The Chicago Cubs’ Len Kasper will catch Harry Caray for 16 years of being behind the microphone

The Chicago Cubs‘ Len Kasper will catch Harry Caray–when he broadcasts–for 16 years of being behind the mic. Spring training doesn’t count, in case you were wondering. And that’s a big ‘if’ if the COVID-19 doesn’t simmer down.

Kasper will have 16 years under his belt after his three with the Marlins. Caray with 16? Pretty good. But Jack Brickhouse with 34 years? Kasper needs to ‘double down’ if he’s going to make it to Brickhouse. Brickhouse had his catchphrase, ‘Hey Hey!’, Kasper doesn’t do all that.

"‘I’m just going to be the best Len Kasper I can be.’ That sounds really trite, but it’s true.” h/t Jeff Agrest, Chicago Sun-Times"

And it is. And when Kasper followed longtime Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell in his younger years? He and Harwell would be so close if they didn’t ‘click.’ He (Harwell) checked in from time to time on his ‘student,’ and they became close friends.

They appreciate the talks with the previous analyst Bob Brenly and current partner Jim Deshaies. And Kasper would be great with a catchphrase, but he doesn’t need that. Things like ‘Oh, baby!’ have come along the way. But that phrase was all that he deemed necessary.

"“There’s a big value in that, I’m telling you. It’s a game of comfort. You’re on three hours a day for an entire six-month season. The last thing you want to do is annoy people.”"

It’s uncanny how Caray and Kasper could be so different. Caray had his ‘quotes’ and would use them now and again. Kasper? Consistent. Smooth. Like Harwell.

In the meantime, MLBPA and MLB will need to straighten some stuff out if they want to get back to a shortened season–Kasper, too. He and Deshaies will host a new podcast, ‘Open Concessions with Len and JD.’ I’d just like to see it ‘with’ the season–not against it.