Operation "Carry Harry" is underway...
by ballhawk on Aug 26, 2010 12:22 AM CDT
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About a week ago, the Cubs announced the Harry Caray statue, currently located outside of Gate D (Addison & Sheffield), would be relocated to outside the bleacher entrance (Waveland & Sheffield), to make way for the new Billy Williams statue, which will be unveiled and dedicated on September 7. (link to Muskat writeup)
As I walked by Wrigley on Tuesday, I noticed that work had begun in both locations. As you might expect, those larger-than-life bronze statues and their stone bases are a little bit on the heavy side, so it's no small task. I checked back again yesterday and they'd pretty much dug all around Harry, as well as prepared his new resting place.
One of the workers told me the actual move is supposed to take place Thursday, i.e. today by the time you read this. He joked that all they'd need is a couple of guys, some straps and a furniture dolly. Not sure how they're going to do it but I suspect a big crane and perhaps a flatbed truck will be involved, though I'm still holding out hope the Budweiser Clydesdales will come up and just drag Harry over.
I took some pictures which I think you should be able to view below as a slide show. I don't think it repeats but if you refresh your screen, the slide show should start up again.
I will try to get back over there to see the actual move - if I do, I'll certainly take more pictures and post here. And if anyone else is in the neighborhood, please check it out and let us know if you see anything interesting.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Nice pics!
Your Harry banter really brings back memories.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Very good post Ballhawk.
Looks like the perfect place for him to me. I liked seeing the different photos in there of the statue as well as the location. I liked the Clydesdales idea…Harry surely would have approved.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 26, 2010 12:41 AM CDT reply actions
If this means we get to see Marla Collins without shorts one more time, I'm all for it.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2010 1:33 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I still have that Playboy issue.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on Aug 26, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
& Rec’d
"I won't be like A-Rod" - Z, 3/17/09
by Ihatethecards on Aug 26, 2010 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions
+2 but
Why do I think Operation Carry Harry has something to do with Rush Street?
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Aug 26, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Honesty compels me to say,
very good post, Ballhawk.
Hey Lou, we're long overdue.
Perfect place for Harry! thanks for keeping us updated.
hope I can squeeze a few more games in and see it for myself!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Really though, why move him?
As a huge fan during Harry’s time with the Cubs, I take this a somewhat of an insult. There are other places for Billy. It’s like we don’t want Harry around anymore so we’ll move him to the back. Just doesn’t seem right to me. Although the only fitting thing is Harry under the Bud Light signage.
Good post ballhawk.
“Hey Arnie, look at the guy in the sombrero!”
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I think it is appropriate
Harry back by the bleachers. Makes sense to me.
"I won't be like A-Rod" - Z, 3/17/09
by Ihatethecards on Aug 26, 2010 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
right, I can't believe they didn't put him there in the first place.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 26, 2010 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Makes sense to me too.
Seems like the perfect spot for him.
That being said, I never really thought he deserved a statue there anyway. Maybe in the future Cubs museum along with Jack Brickhouse or something. But I think they should have great players around the park.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
I found it a little creepy at first
with the faces coming out. Kind of like some Hellraiser movie.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Aug 26, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh come on.
Sure they should have great players there, but there’s nothing wrong with putting beloved fan favorite announcers in a statue, especially when they have a long, successful career doing it. I never liked Brickhouse’s style very much, but I’m sure he would be appreciated having a statue as well. It’s for the fans to enjoy coming to the park, and the fans loved Harry. I’d say part of the problem here is that our HOF players and retired numbers only have a flag visible on the field, which makes it more important to look at the statues around the stadium.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 26, 2010 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure, exactly.
But players should have been first.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Cubs order of statues
1. Harry
2. Ernie
3. Noodle
4. Billy
5. Take a number
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Aug 26, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
The Baskin-Robbins on Clark and Belmont?
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Aug 26, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Hows bout Arne...
Though probably he would be surrounded by some well endowed fans to be accurate.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 28, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds right to me.
When I see the Jack Buck statue near Busch and the Musial one, I never hear people worrying about Buck being honored, but then they have flags in the stands, flags on the wall, a statue of Musial, plaques to read about the players outside, etc. I’d like seeing Banks, Williams, Sandberg, Tinker-evers-chance statues and plaques outside, etc.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 26, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I suspect you'll see a lot of that in the Triangle Building when it's completed.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I hope so.
Honoring players unevenly always angers fans, like here when they renamed a highway 70 stretch as Mark McGwire highway for awhile. Nothing is up for Gibson or other pioneers who did more for the Cards. I think they should have perspective on the importance of the player and not a recent phenom has done to get attention. Though with Sosa being quoted lately as harboring resentment still, I doubt there’s a big movement to change the Dan Ryan to Sammy Sosa Boulevard.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 28, 2010 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
"Chicks do dig me"
Would have been awesome had you gotten a picture of a woman digging that out. Still the caption made me chuckle.
This is getting much more fanfare
than when the Cubs moved my Cubs Brick Paver to make wake for the Captain Morgan club. I’m just sayin’…
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
OMG, if I would have known about that.....well I don't know what I would have done/said!!!!!
how did you get thru that?
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 26, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Five stages
Denial Phase = I didn’t realize that they’d moved it.
Anger Phase = I didn’t know where it went. My wife emailed the Cubs to find the location. Because she paid for it!
Bargaining Phase = We tried to get free stuff from the Cubs for the inconvenience. The Cubs were still in Denial Phase.
Depression Phase = This is reoccurring as I watch certain Cubs games this year.
Acceptance Phase = I re-found my brick earlier month. I gave it a tap and headed in to see the game.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Aug 26, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
lol :D too funny!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 26, 2010 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
If they ever do a statue of Ron Santo...
It should have Ron in mid-air clicking his heels and have him supported with up stretched arms of jubilant Cubs fans surrounding the perimeter of the plaque.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!"
Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!"
Len Casper: "Oh Baby!"
Bob Brenly: "Give it to a Kid!"
Ron Santo: "YES!", "All Right!, let's do it!", "Oh No!", "Oh jeez come on!" AND...
"This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Aug 27, 2010 1:04 AM CDT reply actions
wow, sounds cool! I love Ron so I'm LOVE-ing that idea!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 27, 2010 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
This was neat.
Recommended.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
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