Legendary Phillies Voice Harry Kalas Dies
By Wyatt Earp | April 13, 2009
Our loss is Heaven's gain.
This may be the saddest day in Philadelphia sports history.
Team president says Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas is dead at age 73.
Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas was taken to a hospital Monday after passing out in the broadcast booth before Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals, team president David Montgomery said.
The 73-year-old Kalas, known for his distinctive “Outta here!” call on home runs, was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m., Montgomery said.
Kalas joined the Phillies in 1971. Before that, he was an original member of the Houston Astros’ broadcast team from 1965-70.
In 2002, he received the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for his contributions to the game. (H/T – CBS3)
For me, the only local broadcaster who came close to Harry was longtime Flyers voice Gene Hart. Both were consummate professionals who you could identify solely by their voices. The only bright spot is that Harry saw the Phils win a World Series last season.
Harry is in a better place now, probably calling Phillies games in Heaven with Richie Ashburn. Godspeed, Harry. Thank you so much for all of the terrific memories.
JammieWearingFool has some thoughts HERE.
Topics: Philly | 11 Comments »
April 13th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Tears stream down my cheeks as I write this. This is such a shock. Harry Kalas was more than legendary; he was all class.
He will be terribly missed.
R.I.P. Harry.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Harry became the voice of the Phillies when I was 5 years old. I watch, or listen, to the Philies everyday. For me, there are only two seasons. Baseball season and waiting for Baseball.
I miss listening to Harry and Richie Ashburn. (Richie got better in the later innings). They were great together.
Enough rambling. I’m going back to watching my beloved Phillies.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Man this stinks. Wagonsux I hear ya they were probably the best broadcast team ever. Whitey must have put the Red Hook’s on ice last night in heaven for harrys arrival today.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Not my town, but I know how it feels to lose a great hometown broadcaster. There are big shoes to fill this day.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I’m so sad.
I grew up with him, Whitey, and as you mentioned, Gene Hart.
Such a sad day for many people.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
[...] Wyatt has a wonderful tribute, so be sure to visit his blog, too. [...]
April 13th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Tears….REALLY?!?
April 13th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Wow, that’s three luminaries we’ve lost today related to ballplaying:
Harry Callas
Mark “the Bird” Fidrych
Marilyn Chambers
(I’m going to hell for that.)
April 13th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
We are losing the distinctive voices that made our sports special… RIP sir RIP!
April 13th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Randal Graves Says:
Yes, Randal, there were really tears. The same as when Whitey passed and when Gene Hart passed. I’m a passionate Philadelphia fan. What can I say?
April 13th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
It’s obvious I don’t know how to master the quote feature here. Oh, well. I tried!