Remembering a Philadelphia original.
After the Phillies won the World Series last fall, Hall of Fame announcer Harry Kalas jumped aboard the victory parade.
Harry Kalas, the Phillies radio announcer, died today after collapsing in the press box at Nationals Stadium in Washington. You can find a rolling list of Twitter tributes to Kalas here.
Kalas' death comes after the opening week of the 2009 baseball season -- and months after Kalas called the long-awaited Phillies World Series championship.
At the parade after, Kalas led celebration with a rendition of "High Hopes."
Kalas also received the 2008 David Henderson Humanitarian Award for his off-field work:
And Kalas always had time for the fans:
Mostly, though, he'll be remembered for keeping Phillies listeners company for thousands of games and many years. Rest in peace, Harry.
No, it’s not music related, but I’m just completely heartbroken that Harry Kalas has died. He WAS Philadelphia, and some of my greatest memories from my childhood growing up in the Philly suburbs involve listening to the radio with my late father, hearing Harry and Richie Ashburn call Phillies games. Now they’re all gone. Life [...]
The other guy is going nuts, but Kalas is always the gentleman. I love that little smile, though. For more great Kalas moments, go here.
Harry Kalas, the Phillies Hall of Fame radio announcer, is dead. I am new to Philly, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have an appreciation of Kalas. He had that voice. And the voice, of course, is what people are going to remember. But what struck me on Opening Night this year — while the Phils [...]
Mayors and mafia figures have come and gone. The skyline has steadily been altered. Our star athletes have changed so constantly over the years it’s hard to keep track. In a city so reluctant to change, one of the great constants has been Harry Kalas.
Prior to the evening of Friday, April 17th, 19-year-old Philadelphia native Kane Kalas had already sung the National Anthem before Phillies games a few times in his life. Kane Kalas, the youngest of Harry Kalas’s three children, wowed the ballpark (and those watching on TV) that night with his deep, rich, operatic voice. Kalas talked to PW about his legendary father -- and about finding his own voice.
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1. Satten said... on Apr 13, 2009 at 02:06PM
“Phillies games and NFL Films highlights will never be the same again.”
2. Chris said... on Apr 13, 2009 at 02:16PM
“It's a shame to see him go. I don't think a Phillies game will ever sound as good. I'm just happy that he stuck around long enough for the championship rings.”
3. grm1 said... on Apr 13, 2009 at 02:44PM
“Late summer Sunday afternoons on my back porch just won't be the same. Harry and Whitey together again..”