How it Began

Campbell 'Stretch' Miller was born in 1910 and died of ALS in 1972. He was born in St. Louis one of 13-children. His family moved to Chicago where the 6'6" 245lbs. basketball standout played at Hyde Park high school, briefly at University of Illinois and later a standout for Illinois State Normal University. Miller became a sports broadcaster in Central Illinois and had an eight-year play-by-play stint alongside Harry Caray and 'Gabby' Street with the St. Louis Cardinals.

I first met 'stretch' Miller during my basketball varsity coaching years at Mason City, Illinois. In 1966, Miller was doing freelance sports writing and public relations for the Peoria Journal Star Newspaper. My Mason City 'Huskies' basketball team had completed a 23-4 season with several championship titles and was recognized by the Peoria Journal Star the the outstanding basketball team in their circulation area. Miller came to Mason City to make the presentation.

Miller and I had some time to visit before the awards assemble and 'Stretch' shared this very insightful and funny story. It was during Miller's final year broadcasting alongside Cardinals lead play-by-play broadcaster Harry Caray. It was the spring of 1954 and Miller, Caray and a newcomer by the name of Jack Buck were calling spring training games in Florida. Miller told me that one early spring game, he had gotten an preview of what would become a most interesting and contrasting broadcasting style between Harry Caray and Jack Buck.

During the baseball game, Caray was off on one of his frequent verbal tangents about the 'great game of baseball, nothing like fun in the sun at the ball yard whether you're young or old, blah, blah, blah. Suddenly a foul ball landed near a group of elderly patrons sitting in chairs along the right field line. Quickly, an old lady jumped from the rocking chair she occupied and retrieved the souvenir. Well, Harry came UN-hinged with talking about this fans excitement for the coveted souvenir. Harry: "Jack, have you ever seen anything that warms your heart more than baseball fans who show that kind of love for this great game? Buck replied, "Harry, I think the old gal is off her rocker if you ask me?" The pun flew right over Caray's head as he took issue with Buck's comment for several moments.

Stretch smiled at me and added, "I knew then that this relationship was going to be some kinda ride for Cardinals' fans.

All three men are gone from this journey. Caray and Buck immortalized in Baseball's Hall of Fame and Stretch Miller remembered in Illinois State University's 'Hall of Fame.' Stretch told me the story and I hope others keep it alive...it's a good Cardinals' trivia story.