I am writing off the top of my head, so if there are any slight errors, please excuse them. I am writing this to help those in emotional pain of this great loss...including myself.
The Phillies announced at 1:20 p.m. that Harry Kalas, 73, had passed away. He was found collapsed on the floor of the Nationals press box.
Kalas was the voice of the Phils. Phillies president and CEO Dave Montgomery hit the nail on the head when he said, "The Phillies lost their voice."
Kalas has broadcast all 548 of Mike Schmidt's homers, six no-hitters, three World Series, and all Steve Carlton games from 1972-1986.* He is in the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Kalas began with the Houston Astros before coming to the Phillies in the '70s. One of his most famous calls was Schmidt's 500th home run. It was even more epic than the Phillies 2008 World Series win.
One of my favorite Harry Kalas calls was one I heard when listening to highlights. He was talking about Chase Utley after an amazing diving play. He said, "Chase, you are the man!"
Kalas is most known for his home run call, "Outta here!" In an interview a little while before his passing, he said he heard Larry Bowa remark that a batting practice homer was "way outta here." Kalas was standing next to the batting cage when Bowa said this. "Outta here!" will always be playing in my mind whenever the Phillies hit a home run. It will do that to all Phillies fans, as we mourn the loss of this legendary broadcaster.
Harry Kalas has been immortalized in Citizens Bank Park by the name of a stand within the park: Harry the K's. I vow to eat there at the next Phillies game I go to, in order to honor his accomplishments and to show that he has not, and will not, be forgotten.
Feel free to share any stories you have regarding Harry Kalas in the comments below.
For now I'm.......
"Outta here!"
*Courtesy of Comcast Sports Net
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