Harry Kalas dies
I didn’t know Harry Kalas. He threw out the first pitch at my little league when I was 10 or 11 and he wore a leisure suit that was, even then, about 20 years out-0f-fashion. Outside of that day I’ve never been in the same room with him.
But, as a Phillies fan, Kalas was a part of my life. His was the voice. It was the voice that welcomed fans at the start of the game and the voice that recited the score after the final out was recorded. “Swing…and a long drive, watch this baby, outta here! Home run <insert player’s name here>.” Those were the words every Phillies fan longed to hear. There was no sweeter sound.
Today is a sad day, but Phillies fans can take solace in the fact that Harry finally got to call a World Series victory. (True, the Phillies won the series in 1980, but network agreements then in place prevented local announcers from calling the World Series games and Kalas and the rest of the Phillies’ radio crew did a re-creation broadcast after the World Series.)
I didn’t know Kalas, but I always felt he loved baseball and loved his job. His was a truly great voice.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Wow – will I miss hearing his voice on the radio.
A few years ago – I had some friends in from out of town. I turned on the Phils game, and when they heard Harry’s voice – they were like – “HOLY COW, THAT’S THE VOICE OF NFL FILMS – he is your announcer? That’s too cool.”
This was before 2008, and to that point, there had been more downs than ups as a Phils fan – it was nice to have a nationally beloved person as the voice of my team. RIP Harry.
Something that would be worth hearing – all 548 of Mike Schmidt’s HR calls – Harry did every one – I wish someone would put that together.
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April 14th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I had the privilege of meeting Harry Kalas last year in San Diego while he was taking a break from the booth.
Even though I’m sure he had very little time, he stopped and chatted with my wife and me. A gracious and friendly man. He was as down to earth as they come.
We’re all going to miss him.
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