Chip Caray is replacing Dan McLaughlin, a guy he calls his “little brother,” after McLaughlin lost the job following his third arrest on a drunken-driving charge after 24 years of doing Cards TV play-by-play.

It could have been an awkward situation between longtime friends, which could have driven a spike between some. But both say it is quite the opposite.

“Obviously, I never thought that I would be in this position, but here I am,” McLaughlin said. “If there was somebody to come after me, I would have picked Chip. He’ll be a great addition to the broadcast team and he’ll be excellent behind the mic.”

Caray is supportive of his longtime pal.

“He’s my friend — period, end of story,” he said. “Nobody envisioned this happening, and as grateful as I am for the opportunity, the most important thing for me regarding Dan is our friendship and his well-being. I know he’s getting to a good place, and anything I can do to help him continue to help that particular journey, I’m all in.

Caray considers the path that opened for him to return to St. Louis after having been gone since graduating in 1983 from Parkway West High School to be “bittersweet” because of the circumstances.

But McLaughlin scoffs at that, fully supporting his buddy.

“It’s not bittersweet,” McLaughlin said. “This is life and sometimes things happen that you don’t want to.”

Caray is philosophical about the situation.

“We’re all caretakers for our jobs,” he said. “I would never want anyone’s position at their expense. That’s the difficult part of this, period. End stop. But somebody’s got to do the games, and I’m grateful in Dan’s stead the Cardinals and Bally chose me.

“I’d like to think that Dan’s is in my corner. I believe that to be the case. I’d like to believe that no one will be more in Dan’s corner (than me) when he begins to make his way back.”

McLaughlin leaves no doubt that he firmly is in Caray’s corner.

“As disappointed as I am for myself, I’m equally as excited for Chip,” he said. “He loves the Cardinals, and he gets to return home. So I’m thrilled for him.”

Caray, 57, and McLaughlin, 48, quickly bonded about two decades ago. They had much in common. Each was a St. Louis-born broadcaster who was early in his career and trying to make a mark in the big time (Caray calling Chicago Cubs games, McLaughlin the Cardinals.)

“We were just two young kids who probably looked at each other like, ‘What the hell are we doing here?’ Caray said.

The friendship endures.

“In terms of the play-by-play announcers in baseball that I interact with, I consider him my closest friend,” McLaughlin said. “We talked to each other almost every day. He’s a wonderful person.”

Caray says they have a lot in common.

“We share such a similar sense of humor, I like to highlight absurdity with absurdity, and we both make fun of ourselves,” he said. “We make fun of each other. It’s like a big brother-little brother relationship as far as I’m concerned. We hit it off immediately. We have had so much in common, St. Louis kids who have important and fun jobs and had a great passion for not only the teams we worked for but the game, the fan base and what we like and don’t like. We are like-minded in a lot of different ways. That’s normal in any friendship.”

It will be a transition time for not only both broadcasters but for Cardinals fans who have been used to hearing the TV calls from McLaughlin for nearly a quarter century — plus several more years on the St. Louis airwaves in other capacities. McLaughlin knows the love-’em-or-hate-’em viewpoint some fans have toward broadcasters and thinks Cards fans will like his successor.

“First and foremost, I think Chip will be tremendous and received very well because he’s an outstanding broadcaster,” McLaughlin said. “I would implore fans to invite him into their homes with open arms and treat him as well as they treated me for nearly 30 years. He deserves it, and I know the fans will embrace him. He won’t have a bigger fan of his work than me.”

McLaughlin’s voice was heard not only in St. Louis but also across the large reach of Bally Sports Midwest.

“He broadcast more games on television than anybody else in the history of the Cardinals franchise,” Caray said. “That’s noteworthy in and of itself. As a St. Louis guy, that’s something that should be appreciated.

“I hope everybody remembers Dan and continues to remember Dan for the amazing legacy he helped to create and continue in that booth with his partners. His great work is going to live forever and he deserves all the praise.”

It certainly has been a rough couple months for McLaughlin, who did not delve into the specifics of his troubles. But he has a positive outlook.

“My next step is to dive into as much charity work as I can,” said McLaughlin, who has been active in many such endeavors for years. “Speaking, master of ceremonies work or being a supporter of a lot of worthy causes that I think I can help. This city and the people have given me so much. I don’t plan on stopping trying to give back as much as I can.”

Caray is confident McLaughlin will return to a big-league broadcast booth somewhere.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind that he’s going to get back on his feet and get back behind the microphone,” he said. “He’s immensely talented, and our profession needs more guys like him. The city of St. Louis owes him an incredible debt. Watching from afar, the countless charity things he did, the millions of dollars he helped raise, the good works he did, I think those are the things I hope people will focus on.

“Our business needs more guys who are as passionate and care and are as knowledgeably and involved as Dan McLaughlin. He’s a good person, a wonderful father, a great husband. He’s a terrific ambassador for the city and was — and is — a tremendous ambassador for the Cardinals. Once he gets through this chapter, there will be another chapter to write. ... There are so many more wonderful chapters to write, and I can’t wait to see him author those.”

Caray said it is just a matter of time until that happens.

“Time heals all wounds,” he said. “The most important thing right now is for Dan to take care of Dan and his family and being in the loving embrace of people who care about him dearly. ... I’m only a phone call away all the time for him.”

McLaughlin says he is grateful for the support he has been receiving.

“I’m doing well and taking the necessary steps that are needed to live my life,” he said. “I want to thank all the people that have reached out to me during this period. It hasn’t been easy. However, all the texts, voicemails or even somebody saying a word of encouragement on the street has meant so much. It’s more than they’ll ever know, and I’m truly grateful.”