BREAKING NEWS: Harry Kalas Dead At 73
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, April 13, 2009 02:26 PM | Comments: 82
Harry Kalas Tribute, News, Posts
Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died at age 73.
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UPDATE (2:18 p.m.): I’ll post a remembrance after today’s game, which is still scheduled. More details should come in later today.
UPDATE (1:41 p.m.): Statement from David Montgomery: “I think it’s serious. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harry.”
UPDATE (1:29 p.m.): Allegedly Kalas was found passed out in the press box at Nationals Park. Kalas recently recovered from heart surgery, missing spring training but joining the team for the season opener.
From the Twitter of John Finger of Comcast SportsNet:
Harry Kalas rushed to GWU Hospital. Details to come.
Posts: 0 Andy
Oh my, this is terrible news! My thoughts are with you, Harry.
Posted: 01:29 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 L. Rosco
I saw this on Philly.com. I’m not much of a prayer, but my thoughts are definitely with Harry today.
Posted: 01:32 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 JohnKruksLoveChild
Hopefully it is minor, he’s had some complications over the past year or two that have required hospital visits, but nothing serious.
Posted: 01:35 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D
What!
Posted: 01:35 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
Just saw this on philly.com too. Took the wind out of me. I hope everything is ok.
Posted: 01:38 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Aw man. This iis one of the last legends left in broadcasting. I hope he fully recovers.
Posted: 01:38 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
OMG I hope and pray he’s ok….I’m a student at GW, and it would be awful if anything happened to him right on campus…
Posted: 01:39 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave
Saw this on ESPN…apparently Dave Montgomery said it “is serious” and the visitors clubhouse at the Nats’ park is closed to outsiders
Hope he recovers, and fast. Best PBP man going.
Posted: 01:41 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Kevin
Just heard there will be a press conference at 2pm. Anybody else hear this?
Posted: 01:44 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Havoc
Have to echo everyone on this. Grew up listening to Harry, all we can do is hope and pray he’s ok.
Posted: 01:45 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Kieran Kelly
I hope Harry K is alright. I love that man. His voice just instantly puts me in a better mood.
Posted: 01:46 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike
I hope Harry is ok. I could never imagine watching a phillies game without him. I turn the radio on when he switches. My prayers are with you Harry K.
Posted: 01:49 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I grew up listening to Harry & Whitey like we all did. Those guys both mean a lot to my memories of baseball.
Posted: 01:49 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Sean A
I’m prayin for the best outcome for him, truely a great man.. I just hope everythings alright
Posted: 01:50 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 TonyG
Harry is a true class act in every sense of the word. You better get well, Harry!!
Posted: 01:52 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
This is just rumor at this point… but I heard that Harry may have passed..
A friend of a friend is in the know.. and I’m not saying that to scare anyone, just saying what i’ve heard..
Keep him in your prayers.. and brace yourselves
Posted: 01:54 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe Bonsall
praying for HARRY!!!!!
Posted: 01:56 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mallory
Todd Zolecki’s Twitter was just updated with “Tragic news. Harry Kalas had died.”
https://twitter.com/tzolecki
Posted: 01:56 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
wow.. He hung on long enough to see them raise the 2008 banner, and collect their World Series Rings..
It sounds bad, but that was the first thing I thought when I read the repot of him passed-out in the press box..
What a blow to the organization, the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies has died.
Posted: 01:59 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan
The Phillies have lost an iconic voice in the world of baseball. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Posted: 02:03 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 jess
Philly fans will mourn this day. Our thoughts and prayers are with those close to him. We lost a legend today.
Posted: 02:09 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Hugh
Oh, Harry. You will be missed as much as you will be remembered. Thank you for so many amazing years as the voice of the Phillies and for being such a great man. Say hello to Whitey for us!!
Posted: 02:10 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Say it ain’t so… is this truth or rumor?? I mean, I heard that he collapsed at lunch on 610 and 1210 but neither station indicated that it was fatal. Washington Post and ESPN are the only ones indicating that he died…
Nevermind… just updated the Phillies website… he has died. Wow. I’m speechless.
Posted: 02:11 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan
rest in peace harry…summertime won’t be the same without you.
Posted: 02:17 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
He was basically one of the last legendary annoucners in all of sports left. Its just not gonna be the same. This is going to be a rough game today for the players and announcers. And its going to be really wierd for a long time after that listening to the games or watching without him.
Posted: 02:21 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D
Good luck as you call the home runs St. Peter hits to win the Great Game in the Sky, Harry.
Summer without Harry Kalas. Phillies games without Harry Kalas.
No…
Posted: 02:27 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 JohnKruksLoveChild
A piece of baseball dies with him, it just won’t ever be the same. Harry was there from my youth to present day, his voice is the very soul of the game.
Swing and a long drive, he’s outta here. God speed Harry, nobody did it better.
Posted: 02:29 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
We have lost a great one. This makes me even more thankful that the ’08 Phillies got the job done. His final out call will be even more legendary now. Rest in peace, Harry.
Posted: 02:29 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Aqualad08
To the Kalas family and to Phillies fan everywhere, from the bottom of this Mets fan’s heart, my thoughts are with you as we all say goodbye to a class act…
Posted: 02:30 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Paul
Soo sad. I am a Mets fan but today my heart goes out to Harry, his family, the entire Phillies organization and fans. RIP you will be missed.
Posted: 02:31 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Tim C
This was so upsetting to hear. I am just shocked. RIP Harry.
Posted: 02:34 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Jamie
What a tragic loss. I’m so happy he got to see the boys win it all and get their rings. He’ll be impossible to replace, but we know he’ll be calling the game from the booth in the sky.
Posted: 02:34 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 575 Brian Michael
I’m gonna stop by GW hospital and leave flowers or start a vigil after the game…if it’s still played.
We’ll miss you Harry.
Posted: 02:36 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
It won’t be the same… fitting that he goes out on top, that is for sure. What a tragedy… the only voice that I’ve ever known. I remember feeling betrayed when they cut back his innings. I remember feeling like Wheels was a punk. I was at game 5; I’m thankful that I got to hear/see one of his lovely renditions of “High Hopes.” This is a sad day for Phillies Phans and baseball fans, alike. Sorely missed…
Posted: 02:37 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 matt p
god bless harry. Ive been listening to harry for all my life with the phils.
Philles without Harry…. say it aint so. we love you harry.
Posted: 02:40 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Joedad
Hard to believe Harry. We will miss you here and thank you for being the voice of our beloved Phillies. I know that you are now calling games again with His Whiteness.
Posted: 02:41 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 j cole
listening to 1210, can’t keep my composure. replaying top of 9th from game 5…
Posted: 02:45 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 NC Jason
I am numb right now..
After I moved to NC I bought XM radio and listen to just about every game. I always looked forward to the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings because that is when he called the games.
Glad he finally got to call a WS game (remember in 80 CBS had exclusive rights) and it was the calls and letters from Phillie fans that got the rule changed.
Posted: 02:47 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Good Night Joe Carter
Heartbroken.
Posted: 02:48 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Michael McCullough
I’ll ALWAYS remember HARRY KALAS!
REST IN PEACE.
Posted: 02:50 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
Goodbye Harry…you were the voice of the Phillies for my entire life..watching games will never be the same…I’m still in shock and disbelief…lets hope you look down on the phils from heavan and they do you proud!!
Posted: 02:51 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Woodman
We have lost a baseball GIANT! As a senior in high school, living in Virginia in 1971, Harry was my link to the Phillies. Nightly, I would pick up the radio broadcast and listen to Harry’s call of the game. This tradition continued through my college years. My, how he could paint a picture with his deep baritone voice. A true LEGEND. He will never be replaced. One of a kind ICON. Rest in peace, Harry!
Posted: 02:52 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 L. Rosco
Harry’s wife Eileen was a customer of mine when I managed the Suncoast in Springfield Mall. I knew her last name but it never occured to me that she was THAT Kalas. I called her when she ordered a movie and left a voice mail, but when the recorded message came on I immediately realized who’s number it was. I call back about 4 times just to hear the voice, and even told Eileen this wehn she came to pick up the movie.
She gave me Harry’s tickets for a series against the Expos (it was a while ago). They were good seats!
For anyone who wants to know, Harry Kalas love “The Day of Wine & Roses.”
You are in my thoughts sir!
Posted: 02:58 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 adam
RIP harry, smoothest voice and classiest announcer in baseball. the phils and NFL films will miss you dearly.
Posted: 02:59 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 ED8070
Harry will be truly missed- no one can call a game like he can. Harry and the Phillies have always been one and the same. All of my phillies memories include Harry calling the games. No one will take his place. Now he can be reunited with Whitey once again. R.I.P. Harry
Posted: 03:00 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Evan
Harry’s voice is something I can conjur up at will, its tattooed on my brain. Everyone in Philly loved his play by play, his manner of speaking, and his love of the game and the Phils.
He leaves the world with millions of fans and admirers. The man will always be a part of Philly to me.
Posted: 03:02 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mr North Jersey
As a NY Mets fan I can relate with you fans having lost Bob Murphy a few years back myself. Kalas voice will be missed NFL Films will never be the same. I send my condolences to Mr Kalas’s family & friends.
Posted: 03:04 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
I’m really choked up over this. I’ve been teary eyed since I found out. He was the voice of the Phillies and it will be hard to ever watch or listen to a game ever again.
Posted: 03:04 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 randy
I will never for get hearing Home Run Micheal Jack Schmidt growing up…made me the phillies fan i am today…I live in Virginia and listen on the radio for him every game.
Posted: 03:06 PM on April 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie
“Harry you will always be the voice of the Phillies! You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. A baseball game could never be called quite like you called it. Ten, twenty years from now I will still hear your voice.”
My thoughts and prayers go out to Harry and his family. In all reality his extended family is all of us fans!!
Posted: 03:06 PM on April 13, 2009