Hundreds Of Cubs Fans Toast To Harry Caray's 102nd Birthday
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Hundreds of baseball fans packed Harry Caray's River North steakhouse to offer a 102nd birthday toast to the late Hall of Fame broadcaster.
Cubs great Ryne Sandberg led a chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at 6:30 p.m., as the hundreds of fans packed into the bar room raised their beers and sang along.
"It's electric in here," said fan Bill Peterson.
Harry's 86-year-old widow, Dutchie Caray, said Harry was a friend to everyone and would attract a crowd whenever the two of them visited clubs and restaurants in the Rush Street area, but said she is amazed at Harry's continuing popularity, 19 years after his death.
"He was a real people person," she said.
She said her late husband would be in "hog heaven" if he were still around to announce for the 2016 Cubs.
Harry Caray's restaurants have hosted the toast annually on his birthday since 1998 and have encouraged fans in far-flung cities to join in for a simultaneous toast.
Bottles of Budweiser sold for 73 cents prior to the toast, and brewer Anheuser-Busch sponsored the Chicago toast. Caray had a contract to promote Budweiser for most of his years with the Cubs.