Alright folks, grab a cold one and settle in. Been thinking lately about baseball voices, you know? Those announcers who just make the big moments feel even bigger. Got me specifically thinking about Steve Stone. That guy called some magic over the years. Wanna relive the best Steve Stone calls? Yeah, me too. Here’s how I went digging.
Getting Started: The Spark
Honestly? Was just sitting around last Tuesday night after the Sox game. Feeling kinda nostalgic. Scrolling through some old highlight reels on my tablet – nothing serious, just killing time. Saw a clip from the ’83 season. Boom. Stone’s voice hits me like a freight train. Crystal clear, that smooth delivery. Forgot how much I missed hearing him break down a game. Right then, decided I had to find his absolute greatest hits.
Diving Into the Memory Hole
Okay, step one? Remembering the big moments he was there for. Knew he was in the booth with Harry Caray forever on the North Side. Started pulling up old World Series broadcasts online – bits and pieces folks uploaded. Hunted specifically for Stone’s mic. Listened to snippets from ‘89 A’s-Giants – his call when the earthquake hit was… chillingly calm and professional. Pure Stone.
Then my brain went boom: Kerry Wood. That 20-strikeout game in ’98. Had to find Stone’s call. Dug deeper, found a grainy recording. Finding the exact moment Wood struck out the twentieth Astro? Holy smokes. Stone didn’t yell, didn’t scream. It was this incredible build-up of pure baseball understanding. “Unbelievable! Twenty strikeouts! He has tied the major league record!” The way he said it? Goosebumps. Absolute chills. Knew right then that was going at the top of my list.
Beyond the Obvious
Knew Wood was legendary, but Stone saw so much baseball. Went searching for other gems. Remembered he was there when Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were chasing Maris. Found his call of Sosa’s 61st in ’98. Not just the homer, but Stone breaking down the pitch before it even happened. Saw the fastball coming, knew Sosa was looking for it. “Fastball… hit deep to left! Waaaay back! This ball’s got a chance! GONE! Number 61 for Sammy Sosa!” Simple. Clean. Perfect.
Kept digging. Found stuff from his White Sox days too. His call of Paul Konerko’s grand slam in the 2005 World Series? Gold. Pure storytelling: “Swing and a drive! Deep to left center! Back at the wall… GONE! GRAND SLAM! OH MY!” The pure joy in his voice, the perfect pause letting the crowd roar soak in. Damn rights, that went on the list.
Putting It All Together
Ended up finding way more than I expected. Spent, like, three evenings just going down rabbit holes of old games. Listened until my ears got fuzzy. What really stood out? These things:
- Knowing the Game Inside Out: Stone could break down a pitch sequence before it happened. Made the big moments feel earned.
- Timing: Never screamed for the sake of it. Let the crowd noise breathe. His call of the Wood 20th K is masterclass in letting the moment speak.
- Partner Power: With Caray? Pure magic. Stone’s dry wit against Harry’s pure excitement was hilarious baseball poetry.
- The Little Things: Found his call of a random diving catch saving a no-hitter. Even the seemingly small plays felt huge because he knew their importance.
Why Bother? The Feels
Reliving these Stone calls? Honestly, hit me right in the feels. More than just nostalgia. It reminded me why baseball broadcasting is an art. It’s not just telling you what happened. It’s about feeling it with you. Stone made you understand why a moment mattered, not just that it mattered. He respected the game, knew it cold, and shared that knowledge like he was just talking baseball over the fence with a neighbor. That combo? That’s what makes those calls timeless. Found myself grinning like an idiot listening to some of them. Reminded me why I fell in love with listening to the game in the first place. Damn rights, Steve Stone was one of the best. Case closed.