Tom Hart is a finalist to replace Chip Caray in the Atlanta Braves’ broadcasting booth.
With Chip Caray leaving for a similar role with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Braves will need to replace their lead play-by-play guy in the broadcasting booth.
This will be the first season since 1976 the Braves have not had a Caray in the booth. Chip Caray’s father Skip was the voice of the Team of the 90s era, and well before that. Skip Caray was synonymous with the Superstation days on TBS, broadcasting Braves games live to everyone all over the country. Chip Caray replaced his father and was the voice of the Braves for two decades.
As for who could replace Caray, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported Tom Hart is a top finalist for it.
Hart is best known today for being the lead play-by-play guy for the SEC Network, calling primetime games with Jordan Rodgers in the booth and Cole Cubelic on the sidelines. Prior to joining ESPN in 2012, Hart served as the Braves Live host from 2011 to 2014. It should be noted another top candidate in Ben Ingram prefers to stay in his role within the Braves Radio Network.
Replacing Caray in the booth will not be easy, but the Braves can hit a home run by hiring Hart.
Tom Hart is a logical choice to replace Chip Caray in Atlanta Braves booth
Hart may be a Missouri guy at his heart, but he has called Atlanta home ever since his days working Braves Live. He has done a remarkable job of making those primetime college games on the SEC Network feel big, regardless of who is playing in it. His ability to call the game as he sees it, inject his own personality and allow his broadcasting partners to flourish are all huge positives.
Though Ingram may be the most talented guy internally to replace Caray, Hart is not a complete outsider. It may take him a bit to get readjusted to this new era of Braves baseball, but his previous work experience with the organization, as well as his current role with the SEC Network makes him an ideal candidate. Braves Country is largely made up of rabid SEC football fans as well.
As far as if he can put this much on his plate, look no further than Jason Benetti doing double duty on both the college gridiron and the major league diamond. Benetti is the voice of his hometown Chicago White Sox, as well as the lead play-by-play guy in FOX’s No. 2 college football booth alongside Brock Huard. Prior to linking up with FOX, Benetti had called college games for ESPN.
With Spring Training rapidly approaching, look for the Braves to replace Caray in rather short order.