Bleacher Report - Articles by Greg Pecko Jr

Thank You, Harry Kalas: Saying Goodbye to a Legend

Greg Pecko Jr — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:24:35 -0400

How do you say goodbye to a legend?

How can one possibly honor someone who has done so much for the people of a city and the fans of one team?

The only way is to let that man's legend speak for itself and to remember every moment his unmistakable voice spoke to us.

Yesterday, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away at the age of 73; yet his passing seemed to come way too soon.

After learning of his passing, it was hard for me to believe or even comprehend the void that was left in this Phillies fan's heart, this city, and the world of baseball.

After the shock of this sad news subsided, I took the time to reflect and relive some of the great moments Harry brought to all us Phillies fans.

So now, we share our memories with each other of the man that was the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies.

We all shed a tear for someone we all knew, but might not have met. Every spring and summer for the last 38 years, Phillies fans let him into their homes and lives. He became apart of their cookouts, celebrations, holidays, and summers.

In Philadelphia, the name Harry Kalas is synonymous with Phillies baseball.

Anytime someone turned on a TV or radio to follow the Phillies, Harry was there. Yet today, for the first time since 1971, our great old friend couldn't be there, because he was assigned to a higher broadcast.

Yes, there was a baseball game today. And yes, the Phillies did win, but it was not the same. It will never be the same because, as Phillies president Dave Montgomery put it, "We lost our voice today."

The Phillies may have lost their voice, but the area and the sport lost a great man and a great ambassador.

While he is remembered as a broadcaster, Harry has contributed a lot to charities and to the people of the area.

From singing at assisted living homes during the Christmas season, to signing autographs, and even recording voice mail messages for the Phillies' Phaithful, Harry truly understood more than just baseball—he understood people.

He was one of the few broadcasters who still spent time with the players in the locker room and traveled with them during road trips.

He was a man that loved to be around those that loved the game, because it is a game he had loved since he was eight years old.

Everyone seems to have a Harry Kalas story, and we all try to emulate his famous calls and quotes like, "that ball is outta here!" and my recent favorite, "Chase Utley, you are the man!"

These are the memories we have and will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

His personality and his ability to connect with the fans is why we all call him by his first name, and why I am comfortable referring to him as Harry in this column.

So how do you say goodbye to a Legend?

Well, for this legend, you say goodbye with a great big Thank You.

So, thank you, Harry.

Thank you for your voice, your dedication, your personality, your generosity, and your outgoing spirit.

You were an inspiration to many, and an inspiration to me. You are truly missed, but never forgotten, and your legend will live on in our hearts, our minds, and throughout the airwaves.

And for one last time—

"Swing and a long drive, watch this baby, that ball is outta here!"

Tamp Bay Rays Fans Still Seem To Be Learning

Greg Pecko Jr — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:44:43 -0400

I know that they have only had a baseball franchise for about a decade now, but the Tampa Bay Rays fans still have a lot to learn.

After Game One of the World Series, a caller into a local Philadelphia radio station said that he overheard a Rays fan saying, "Well, we lost, but at least we got to see a World Series."

Then during the top of the eighth inning of Game Two, the crowd at Tropicana field could be heard chanting, "Na na na nah, Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye." The funny thing is that it was only Game Two.

While I admire and appreciate their enthusiasm and energy, I had trouble understanding why they choose to chant something that is typically reserved for the final victory, not the first one. I could understand if it was Game Seven, but we are talking about Game Two here.

I knew going into this World Series that the Rays' fans would be tame, but I at least thought they would have better judgement. After all, they have solid fanbases for the other two sports teams in Tampa and are reasonably sport smart.

I guess, as a resident of a sports-crazy town like Philly, it can be hard to understand the inexperience of those new to Major League Baseball. After all, it took Rays fans over 10 years to show up to the Trop to actually watch a ballgame and some Tampa residents probably didn't even know they had a team until recently.

But you can't blame them for not showing up over the last 10 years because their franchise was horrible, and when you live in Tampa, there is a lot of alternatives to choose from. I don't blame you Rays fans; you're still learning, and in time you will understand how to be baseball fans.

You'll learn that not every ball or strike called is wrong and deserves to be booed.

You'll learn how to make a stadium loud without the use of a device like a cowbell.

And eventually, when you get that new ballpark, you'll learn that baseball is better when played outside on real grass.

The best advice I can give Rays' fans is to take in the experience and enjoy it, because it can end quickly. And take notes from Phillies fans during the middle three games of this series. Say what you will about Philly fans; because despite the negative things said about them, they know sports. They know baseball, and they know how to impact a game from the stands.

Penn State's Daryll Clark Showed Leadership with One Quiet Play Saturday

Greg Pecko Jr — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:37:21 -0400

In Saturday evening's win over rival Michigan, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark proved with one play that he has the character and leadership to take the Nittany Lions the distance.

The play I'm talking about wasn't a running play, or a long pass, or even a touchdown.

The play I'm talking about probably went by relatively unnoticed by both the casual fan and even the the most vigilant viewer.

The play I'm talking about shows the leadership and determination that Clark has to win, no matter what he has to do.

The play I'm talking about occurred toward the latter part of the third quarter on a running play by Penn State tailback Evan Royster. Royster ran a counter and Clark rolled out to sell the play-action; then, as Royster bounced to the outside, Clark came back to give his teammate a little help.

What Clark did was throw a huge block that put Michigan safety Steve Brown on the ground and allowed Royster to break a big running play. This play showed the character and leadership needed to play the quarterback position anywhere.

In coming back to the play and making that block, Clark showed people what he is about and that, even as a quarterback, he is still willing to get his hands dirty for the good of the team. Most quarterbacks would have ran that fake roll-out and then just stopped and watched.

However, this isn't the first time this season that Clark has shown his leadership ability and character. In the game against Illinois a few weeks ago, with Penn State already up big, Clark took a helmet to the knee and left the field, but only a few moments later wanted to get back in as soon as possible.

So why does Clark play so hard and never stop until the whistle sounds?

The reason is because he appreciates every second he has on the football field since he almost didn't have a chance to play again. Clark's story is interesting because, as a senior in high school, he had all the talent on the field but struggled in the classroom.

Clark admitted that it was his own fault that he did not do well in school because, at the time, he never applied himself. Now Clark has learned from that experience and works even harder, both in football and at school, in order to succeed.

After not having the grades to play major college football, Clark was given an opportunity by Joe Paterno and Penn State. Paterno and Clark made a deal that if Clark went to a junior college for a year and worked hard in the classroom to bring up his grades, he would be given the chance to play for Penn State.

Clark took the opportunity given to him and did what he told Paterno he would do and brought his grades up. Now this experience has translated to the football field for Clark and can be seen by his actions during the game and in the classroom. Clark leads Penn State by example and helps to set a precedent for his teammates.

Clark's efforts in school have brought him more than just an opportunity to play, but he has also been rewarded with an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA because he kept his promise and brought his grades up.

Clark is just one of the many leaders on this Penn State team, and his success is just a testament to and example of the success that hard work can bring someone.