Few are left, and with the passing of Harry Kalas today, their numbers are dwindling even further, the great voices of the game now call the action for a higher audience while those of us left behind remember fondly their magnificent story telling calling the game we love.
Harry Kalas was the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971 presenting the rise of the Phillies to playoff contenders 1976-1978 and finally taking home all the glory with their first World Championship in 1980. His close rapport with booth partner, Richie Ashburn, former Phillies standout lead to a warm friendship and tremendous rapport with Delaware valley baseball fans. During that time, he chronicled the rise of Phillies legend, Mike Schmidt at third base, the craftsmanship of lefty Steve Carlton, and a host of veterans like Pete Rose and Joe Morgan brought to the Cheesesteak capital of the world to make them a championship class team only to find them a little past their prime in 1983 when the fabulous Phillies were no match for the 1983 Orioles who beat them in five games with Cal Ripken securing the final out for the once mighty Birds.
The Phillies would rise again in the early 90’s with a bizarre cast of characters including Darren Daulton, Curt Schilling, Lenny Dysktra, and John (“I’m not an athlete, I play baseball) Kruk going all the way to the 1993 World Series they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. By then, after two decades plus, Harry Kalas had risen to the legendary status of broadcasters like Chuck Thompson, Harry Carey, and Ernie Harwell known for his homerun call,
Once again, Kalas saw another Phillies decline made much sadder by the passing of his dear friend Ashburn in 1997, and then rebirth in recent years as stars like Ryan Howard emerge winning the 2008 World Championship. However, his health has been in decline and he has been missing games. Regardless, perhaps the Phillies fans’ last memory of this gruff but elegant poet of the game was his throwing out the first pitch on opening day in Philadelphia against the Atlanta Braves.
Fans of NFL Films might also know Harry Kalas as the narrator of many of the Sabol family classics replacing another Philadelphia legend, John Facenda, often called “the voice of God” for his authoritative baritone voice. He worked with NFL films since 1975.
Apart from the Phillies and NFL films, Harry Kalas was in high demand for other sports assignments including network radio broadcasts of NFL football, college basketball and Notre Dame football. His first major league job was with the Houston Astros from 1965 until his move to Philadelphia where he served as master of ceremonies for the opening of Veterans Stadium where he would broadcast for the entire lifetime of the stadium moving on to open Citizens Bank Field.
Harry Kalas is immortalized in Major League Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” winning the Ford C. Frick award in 2002 enshrined with the other great voices of the game. A restaurant stands in his honor at the base of the scoreboard, Harry the K’s, saluting his legend. The senior Kalas passed on the baton to another generation. His son, Todd Kalas worked as a Phillies broadcaster now serving as an analyst for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Harry Kalas reported to call the action for the Phillies ready for another day at the office in the visiting team’s broadcast booth in Nationals Stadium, Washington, DC. He was found unconscious by the Phillies director of broadcasting. At 1:20 pm he was pronounced dead at George Washington hospital, 73 years old.
Sadly one of the last of the great radio voices of Major League Baseball is “outta here,” but many Phillies fans have one last amazing memory for their beloved narrator of baseball history as it was made, the final out of the 2009 season as the Philadelphia Phillies secured the World Championship.
One strike away; nothing-and-two, the count to Hinske. Fans on the their feet; rally towels are being waved. Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch — swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! Brad Lidge does it again, and stays perfect for the 2008 season! 48-for-48 in save opportunities, and watch the city celebrate! Don't let the 48-hour wait diminish the euphoria of this moment, and the celebration. And it has been 28 years since the Phillies have enjoyed a World Championship; 25 years in this city with a team that has enjoyed a World Championship, and the fans are ready to celebrate. What a night!
Harry Kalas was the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971 presenting the rise of the Phillies to playoff contenders 1976-1978 and finally taking home all the glory with their first World Championship in 1980. His close rapport with booth partner, Richie Ashburn, former Phillies standout lead to a warm friendship and tremendous rapport with Delaware valley baseball fans. During that time, he chronicled the rise of Phillies legend, Mike Schmidt at third base, the craftsmanship of lefty Steve Carlton, and a host of veterans like Pete Rose and Joe Morgan brought to the Cheesesteak capital of the world to make them a championship class team only to find them a little past their prime in 1983 when the fabulous Phillies were no match for the 1983 Orioles who beat them in five games with Cal Ripken securing the final out for the once mighty Birds.
The Phillies would rise again in the early 90’s with a bizarre cast of characters including Darren Daulton, Curt Schilling, Lenny Dysktra, and John (“I’m not an athlete, I play baseball) Kruk going all the way to the 1993 World Series they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. By then, after two decades plus, Harry Kalas had risen to the legendary status of broadcasters like Chuck Thompson, Harry Carey, and Ernie Harwell known for his homerun call,
Once again, Kalas saw another Phillies decline made much sadder by the passing of his dear friend Ashburn in 1997, and then rebirth in recent years as stars like Ryan Howard emerge winning the 2008 World Championship. However, his health has been in decline and he has been missing games. Regardless, perhaps the Phillies fans’ last memory of this gruff but elegant poet of the game was his throwing out the first pitch on opening day in Philadelphia against the Atlanta Braves.
Fans of NFL Films might also know Harry Kalas as the narrator of many of the Sabol family classics replacing another Philadelphia legend, John Facenda, often called “the voice of God” for his authoritative baritone voice. He worked with NFL films since 1975.
Apart from the Phillies and NFL films, Harry Kalas was in high demand for other sports assignments including network radio broadcasts of NFL football, college basketball and Notre Dame football. His first major league job was with the Houston Astros from 1965 until his move to Philadelphia where he served as master of ceremonies for the opening of Veterans Stadium where he would broadcast for the entire lifetime of the stadium moving on to open Citizens Bank Field.
Harry Kalas is immortalized in Major League Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” winning the Ford C. Frick award in 2002 enshrined with the other great voices of the game. A restaurant stands in his honor at the base of the scoreboard, Harry the K’s, saluting his legend. The senior Kalas passed on the baton to another generation. His son, Todd Kalas worked as a Phillies broadcaster now serving as an analyst for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Harry Kalas reported to call the action for the Phillies ready for another day at the office in the visiting team’s broadcast booth in Nationals Stadium, Washington, DC. He was found unconscious by the Phillies director of broadcasting. At 1:20 pm he was pronounced dead at George Washington hospital, 73 years old.
Sadly one of the last of the great radio voices of Major League Baseball is “outta here,” but many Phillies fans have one last amazing memory for their beloved narrator of baseball history as it was made, the final out of the 2009 season as the Philadelphia Phillies secured the World Championship.
One strike away; nothing-and-two, the count to Hinske. Fans on the their feet; rally towels are being waved. Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch — swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! Brad Lidge does it again, and stays perfect for the 2008 season! 48-for-48 in save opportunities, and watch the city celebrate! Don't let the 48-hour wait diminish the euphoria of this moment, and the celebration. And it has been 28 years since the Phillies have enjoyed a World Championship; 25 years in this city with a team that has enjoyed a World Championship, and the fans are ready to celebrate. What a night!
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