The city of Philadelphia lost its most recognizable voice today, when legendary announcer Harry Kalas passed away at the relatively young age of 73.
Kalas, known as "Harry the K," was famous for his gravelly voice and his trademark "Watch this baby...OUTTA HERE!" home run call, words that saluted thousands of Phillies homers as they sailed into warm summer nights across America.
Kalas began calling Phillies games in 1971, and his trademark voice raised generations of Phillies fans, including myself. I know that I probably heard more of Harry's voice during the summer than I did of my friends or family.
It's cliched to say he felt like part of the family, but for thousands of Phils fans across the Philadelphia region hearing Harry Kalas call a Phillies game was an instant slice of home. His presence was as much of a part of Philadelphia as a cheesesteak from your favorite local sub shop or a stroll down Broad Street.
And as brutal as Joe Buck's call of the final out of the 2008 World Series was, Kalas' was equally great. There was no voice I would rather have had call the greatest Philadelphia sports moment in a quarter of a century.
But don't take it from me, because I'm not the only one shocked and saddened by Harry's death. Leslie Gudel could barely hold back tears before the Phils' game today on Comcast SportsNet, John Kruk broke down on the phone on ESPN and Larry Andersen was apparently sobbing during the radio broadcast.
Amazingly, Kalas' TV broadcast partners (Scott Franzke, Gary Matthews and Chris Wheeler) were able to hold it together when I was watching the beginning portion of today's game.
This is what Mike Schmidt, arguably the greatest Phillie ever and one of Kalas' favorite players, had to say on Harry's passing:
He gave me my sports name. People all over the country refer to me by the name that Harry actually gave me ... 'Michael Jack.' Every time I hear it now for the rest of my life, his face and his smile will resonate.
Also, check out what NFL Films President Steve Sabol had to say on Kalas' passing. Harry was the voice of NFL Films for many years, and some of the greatest plays in NFL history are set to his voice in the NFL Films archives.
His substance was his style. There was no shtick, just a steady blend of crisp articulation and resonance. In many ways, Harry is the narrator of our memories. His voice lives on not only on film, but inside the heads of everyone who has watched and listened to NFL Films.
Phillies president David Montgomery was able to say this about Kalas earlier today as he choked back tears:
We lost our voice today. 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.
It's going to be a long season for the Phillies without Harry the K, and I know it'll be awful hard to turn on the Phightins and not hear his voice. Even Adam Eaton was almost watchable with Harry calling the action.
Rest in peace, Harry Kalas. You'll be forever in our memories.
-- Ben Skalina
