Skip Caray is close to fan's heart

Born in 1984, the son of a father who is an avid Atlanta Braves fan, I've been told some of my first words were "Go Braves." Asleep in my father's lap and awakened by his cheers, I would wake up long enough to say "Go Braves," and fall back to sleep.

No doubt there were many nights I went to sleep to the sound of the legendary Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. I grew up with that voice. There were not many summer nights during my childhood in Augusta that I didn't spend watching the Braves with my father and listening to the witty Skip Caray. Although young when it happened, I can still remember the screams of "Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!" as Sid Bream slid safely into home plate to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates. It sill gives me chills when I hear it today.

I was saddened to hear recently that the voice that echoes in my childhood memories was silenced forever. I will never forget Skip and his voice. His wit would make my dad laugh -- and, as I got older and could understand his humor, myself as well. All summer long Skip would be a welcomed third party in my and my father's conversations.

Braves baseball has been such a big part of my family's life. With the loss of Skip recently, I feel like a member of the family has passed. My prayers go out to his family, and I want to thank them for letting him be a part of our family for 33 years. Skip, summer won't be the same without you.

Steven Dent Jr., Grovetown