Legendary Phillies announcer Harry Kalas dead at 73

I'm old enough to remember his days with the Astros. He'll be missed.

RIP.

 

Not a phillies fan, but when I lived in PA, loved hearing his call of any game ... a true legend that will be missed
RIP

 

the phillies broadcast with the nationals just ended, but it was more like a memorial service. the radio crew did an incredible job of reporting the meaningless game and recalling many facets of harry.

tomorrow's scheduled visit to the white house for the world series winners has been postponed.

 

Michael Jack Schmidt on the phone with MLB Network right now. Harry the K called every single one of his 548 homers.

Just an incredibly depressing day for everyone in baseball.

 

Yes, the broadcast crew did an amazing job, continually referencing Harry's death -- at one point, Tom McCarthy, pressed into service in Harry's spot, noted that Harry collapsed "right here, in fact," in the booth. They also made sure the game was not neglected.

 

Wish I could find audio of it, but here's Harry's Hall of Fame speech in 2002:

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090413&content_id=11778&vkey=hof_news

 

It's obviously not what he's best remembered for, but what sticks in my head most is his Alcoa Fantastic Finishes narrations.

 

Terrible news, obviously. If there's any consolation at all, it's that Harry lived thoroughly in those 73 years. He didn't get cheated.

The reaction in Philly shows again how strong the link is between listeners and an announcer in baseball. Players come and go, but the announcer is often there for decades. He's the link they have to the team, even when everything else changes.

When teams get a good one who really connects with their fans, they should do their damnedest to hang onto him, like the Phillies did. He was with them through three ballparks.

 

"HOME RUN, MICHAEL JACK SCHMIDT..."

Absolutely timeless.

See Dodgers, Los Angeles for further reference.

After a very nice introduction by Charley Steiner and an endless standing ovation, Vin Scully threw out the first pitch on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium this afternoon.

 

Damn that is really sad. The best voice in baseball.

RIP.

 

Joe Poz posted this on his <a href="http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/04/13/rip-harry-kalas/">blog</a>:

 

The one from 1980 was a re-creation for an album the phillies did commemorating that year. Because of the national radio deal local announcers could not do the Series. After the Phillies fans complained to MLB they allowed the local announcers to broadcast the World Series starting in 1981.

Knowing what happened today makes last year's call all the more special now.