Behind the Mic

The one thing that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf did that I had no problem with was letting go of announcer Harry Caray, a backstabbing frontrunner if there ever was one. I wonder, how many old Cardinal and Sox players attended Caray’s funeral? For that matter, did Ron Cey? The problem with Reinsdorf is that he’s always better at firing people than finding replacements. Not that he thinks so. I’m sure he considers Ken “Hawk” Harrelson the perfect replacement for Caray, and, in a sense, he was. Nobody ever sucked up to Reinsdorf like the Hawk did year after year. When it finally came time for Harrelson to retire, the Sox got it broken-clock right with his replacement, homegrown Sox fan Jason Benetti. Only, like any South Sider (technically, Benetti is a South Suburbanite), Benetti comes with attitude, which showed in his highbrow brand of humor and a very un-Harrelson-like willingness to criticize—as opposed to Caray, who brutalized—Sox players. The Chairman no like, with Benetti gone to Detroit. And, now, to NBC, where he’ll handle play-by-play on Sunday night games. The Sox didn’t want Benetti to do anything but Sox broadcasts. In contrast, the Tigers released a statement saying the team is “incredibly proud” Benetti got the new gig. Crickets so far from Benetti’s former employer. But, hey, we’re about to start season three of the embarrassment known as John Schriffen. Stand up, South Side—and reach for the mute button.