Hall of Fame Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dead

[Ian]

Kalas passes out, taken to hospital

Philadelphia Daily News

WASHINGTON - Legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has been taken by ambulance to a Washington area hospital after he was found passed out in the press box at Nationals Park.

Team president David Montgomery said Kalas, 73, was found at about 12:30 p.m. by Rob Brooks, the Phillies' director of broadcasting. Emergency medical personnel were called and took Kalas to George Washington University Hospital.

Team president David Montgomery characterized the situation as "serious," but did not have any further information.

The Phillies' announcers were brought to the team's clubhouse at about 1 p.m., and they and the players were told about Kalas.

He missed most of spring training after undergoing surgery in early February. The team declined to provide specifics of the surgery at that time, saying only that it was a "minor medical procedure" and that there was no reason for concern. It is unknown if that is related to the current situation.

Kalas has broadcast Phillies games since 1971. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. He is entering the final season of a 3-year contract that he signed in December 2006.

[PirateLover]

He's dead. I am hysterical.

[PirateLover]

Harry Kalas dies

Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Staff Report

WASHINGTON - Legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died. He was 73.

"We lost our voice today," team president David Montgomery said. "He knows the game and made a tremendous contribution to the sport and to our organization . . .

"Anybody who has played for us, it's an immediate point of connection with the club. He is the Phillies."

The Phillies were told the news at 1:20 p.m.

Montgomery described the team as "stunned."

Kalas collapsed in the press box and was was found at about 12:30 p.m. by Rob Brooks, the Phillies' director of broadcasting. Emergency medical personnel were called and took Kalas to George Washington Medical Center.

"He himself [Brooks], as I understand it, worked with him and immediately got emergency medical there," Montgomery said earlier.

The Phillies have contacted the White House and said they are not going to visit with the president tomorrow.

As of now, today's game will be played as scheduled.

Kalas missed most of spring training after undergoing surgery in early February. The team declined to provide specifics of the surgery at that time, saying only that it was a "minor medical procedure" and that there was no reason for concern. It is unknown if that is related to the current situation.

Kalas had broadcast Phillies games since 1971. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.

[JPL]

Very Sad News

[gerald72]

RIP Harry Kalas

[Hammer]

I just don't know what to say or do...

[Ian]

This is just unfathomable. I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss him ... which sounds absurd, because I've never met the man but it's true. I'll miss him terribly. I felt the same way when Gene Hart passed away.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. If I'm going to miss him this much, I can't imagine how much he'll be missed by his loved ones.

This just makes the Phillies championship from last season all the more meaningful ...

[BMan62]

Years of listening to Harry and Whitey on the radio and TV, now history.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Harry and all the Phillies Phaithful in this time of sadness.

You will be sorely missed!!

[PirateLover]

I finally got myself composed until the game broadcast started... Sarge wiped away a tear and I started getting choked up.. then when they showed the players and Chase Utley seemed to heave a heavy sigh I thought wow we'll never hear another great call like "Chase Utley, you are the MAN!" again. I started thinking about how no more will his dulcet tones be the narrative to our lazy summer days and the tears came back. Ian so many of us feel the same as you... all of us Phils fans...we truly lost a member of our family today.

[barnaby]

Although I am not a Phillies fan, I will miss the sound of Harry K.
Growing up, I couldn't get many Red Sox games on the radio or TV so I used to listen or watch the Phils on summer nights.
I was a big Richie Ashburn fan, and used to love the chemistry between Harry and him.

Harry will be missed for sure.

[mitchsfan]

Wow! I hate you guys. I thought I was beginning to deal with Harry's passing. I had finally stopped crying. And then I found this thread and the tears came streaming back. It was so sad last night that after the game, I popped in my copy of the Memorial Service and watched that. Then the tears came streaming back.

I am not a Flyers, Sixers or even Eagles fan. I am a perfect husband from November to March. The other months, the Phillies are my true love. They are my team. I live and die with them. When I got the news in class, it was like someone punched me in my gut. I was hoping that somehow it was a mistake. And then my phone just started ringing nonstop.

My wife was home that day because she had an ultrasound scheduled. I called her and she was on the way home with my mom from the appointment. I asked her to tape the game and asked her if she heard. When she said that she didn't, she gasped when I told her. You could hear my mom in the background asking: "What's the matter?" Then there was another gasp.

You didn't have to be a baseball fan to love Harry Kalas. You needed to be human. That is it. Harry was the grandfather who put so many of us to bed so many nights. Harry was the rock that we held onto when Ricky Oteri was our starting centerfielder and Alan Ashby was the starting pitcher. He was the first guy you wanted to celebrate with after every playoff game.

Harry had a lot of great calls. My favorite was the last inning against the Nationals in 2007. I would take that inning over 2008 World Champs anytime. You need to listen to it. He was one of us. He was one of the guys. He just wanted to see the Phils break their 13 year skid. And as Myers got Young to strikeout out and Kearns to flyout, the excitement in his voice is unbelievebale. Then Will Mo Pena steps in and Myers gets strike one, Harry took it to another level.He gets strike two and he takes it to another level again. He says "The fans are on their feet, I am on my feet. You know Brett wants to finish this off with a strikeout." Brett throws ball one and his voice soothes everyone to just relax it will happen.

CURVE BALL, STRUCK HIM OUT.... THE PHILLIES ARE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE EASTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONS OF BASEBALL..... lOOK AT THE SCENE ON THE FIELD, LOOK AT THE SCENE IN THE STANDS......

He was one of us. And that is why I think he was as loved as much as he was. He wanted to win as much as we did. And he wanted us to be part of it. He wanted us to feel like we accomplished something too. You don't get that with Jon Miller, Joe Buck, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver

Harry had over 9000 people pass his casket on the first beautiful Saturday Philadelphia saw in a long while. He had about half that sit there and watch as dignitaries and the Phillies' family eulogized him.

And there were not any dry tears in the house when Harry passed through his second family. I thought it was ironic who were the final pallbearers for Harry. You had Jimmy Rollins, Charlie Manuel, Jaime Moyer, Brett Myers, Ryan Howard and Milt Thompson. Milt was the representative of what Harry has said was his favorite team....1993. Charlie was the man who guided the Phillies to what was Harry's dream....a world Championship. Ryan, Brett and Jimmy helped achieve Harry's dream. Jaime grew up listening to Harry and then had the privilege of having his games called by Harry.

The last player who carried Harry and placed him into the hearse was Lou Marson. The future of the Phillies. And I took it as that the days may seem bleak now, but the days and games go on. And that the future is bright too.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts of Harry. I have so many more but the tears are streaming again.

Jim

ps.... I have always been a Phillies' apologist but no one can say they did anything wrong with that service. It was beauitful.