First time was a spring training game in 1994 in Clearwater that I was lucky to go down there on a sweepstakes trip that my mom won to the Tampa, FL area. I was able to walk right up to the broadcast booth at then-Jack Russell Stadium.

The second time was in Aug 2004 at Dodger Stadium on a trip to visit my father. We attended the entire Phils/Dodger series that weekend and on the last day on Sunday’s day game, when the Phillies were getting on their bus to begin their departure from L.A., I called Harry over ( frankly, he looked surprised I knew who he was ) and he signed a baseball for me then.

Both times meeting Harry was great and he was such a professional and having heard about 50-100 Phillies games via the internet here in Oregon, his voice sure will be missed.

RIP Harry.

“It’s hard to believe…Harry. Hard to believe” – hard to believe that Harry Kalas will no longer be calling Phillies games. The voice of my childhood, of my passion, silenced forever at the age of 73.
On April 13, 2009 Harry Kalas arrived at RFK Stadium ready to do the play by play of the game. He was early, like usual and went about his business of preparing. He collapsed and was found about an hour before the game…dead at the scene.
Some say it’s poetic that Harry died in the booth. He died doing what he loved and at the ball park, the place he loved more than any other. I wish he wouldn’t have died alone.
Watching the tributes and reactions from the players, coaches and his fellow broadcasters these past few days I am amazed at how loved Harry was and how many lives he really touched in Philadelphia and throughout the baseball world. It feels like we lost a friend, an uncle perhaps.
Personally, my summer will never be the same. Since the age of 9 I have been a die hard Phillies fan. I have cheered them through so many losses, so many near wins and finally this year the world championship. So many of my memories are peppered with the voice of Harry…almost like a sound track to my life.
Harry had a nickname for everyone. One of the reasons I fell so in love with the Phillies was that Harry brought them to life for me. I felt I knew them personally because after hearing Harry talk they weren’t Lenny or Darren or Jimmy- they became “the dude”, “Dutch” and “J-roll”. I could be in the worst mood but hearing Harry call my favorite players name over the TV would brighten my day. I mean, who doesn’t smile when they hear the way Harry used to introduce Mickey Morrindini? How could you not? Even when Mitch Williams was giving us a heart attack one call of “Mitchie Poo” and he was back on top in our hearts. Harry did that. He exuded love for the players and made you love them. I was listening to some call- ins right after his death on WIP and Greg “the bull” luzinski said “there were times that I turned on a game (after I was done playing) to hear how the phils were doing. If Harry was speaking…I didn’t know whether we were winning or losing. He was so excited – always.” I think at times it was that excitement that let the team in 2008 have a never say die attitude. When you know someone is in your corner, why give up? Make him right. Make that come back.
Harry Kalas had a true love for the game and no matter what he was calling – Thome’s 400th homerun, Michael Jack’s 500, or a normal double play you know he knew the team was playing hard and doing their best. From the calls of assuring us that “Chase Utley IS THE MAN” to the simplest calls of letting us know that “the ball was outta here!” we could feel the energy.
Harry helped turn me into a Phillies fan. I don’t know if I could be that excited about baseball (come on it can be boring on TV) if there wasn’t someone there getting excited with me. Harry did that. From the first game I can remember watching (Terry Mulholland’s no hitter) to the in between banter with Whitey and L.A. to that final pitch Brad Lidge threw to end the world series, Harry was there. His voice will forever bring back some of the best moments, still give me chills. He was more than a commentator; he was a fan and became a friend to all who listened to him.

Now, Harry joins his best friend Whitey in heaven. I am sure the two of them will be watching over our Phils and having a good laugh during the seventh inning stretch. His voice will forever live in video and our memories. He was there when we won it all. And when Shane pointed at that booth after hitting his homerun in tribute, we knew these boys wanted to keep winning it all for their biggest supporter and fan. I hope that my children are lucky enough to experience Phillies baseball the same way I did with love and passion.

So Harry the K, thanks for the memories. For the excitement you brought to the wins, and the hopes you brought through the losses. We will miss your enthusiasm, your spirit and your voice. Rest in peace.

***it is my thought in Harry’s memory that during the 7th inning stretch at all Phillies home games- High Hopes should be played******

I was at the game in DC on Monday, sitting in my seat and feeling the rush of finally seeing our Phillies out on the field. Then, the unthinkable happened and my phone rang. I must have had my sister repeat the news 10 times, it simply couldn’t be true. I felt the wind was knocked out of me. I sat there for a moment and realized that I needed to find my dad.

Somehow I formed the words and gave my dad the news. I knew how lucky I was to have my dad there, who else could understand this feeling? My dad was the one who turned off the radio in my childhood bedroom the countless nights I would fall asleep listening to Harry’s voice and he was the one who taught me to always find Harry on the radio if I had the misfortunte of being in a car during a game.

We returned to our seats, stunned, looking around the stadium and up to the broadcast booth wondering how it was possible that Harry had been there just 2 hours ago and then taken from us. Pregame ceremonies happened around us, I’m fairly certain I stood for the national anthem, but it was all a blur. Harry was gone.

I wish I could be in Philly this weekend. I need the comfort of being around those who understand. Instead I’m in upstate New York turning to internet tributes and radio broadcasts… Intellectually I know we will get through this and move forward, but I am devastated to know summer will never sound the same and my children will never know baseball through Harry’s voice.

Our World Champion Phillies have suffered through many miserable seasons and miserable teams, but through it all we were always blessed with the finest broadcaster in baseball. Harry helped me to learn to love the Phillies and the game of baseball and for that I will always be thankful to him.

I miss him too.

Harry was the best.

He is what made me such a huge baseball fan and I will dearly miss his voice.
I look forward to telling my children some day all about the VOICE of the Fightin Phils….

He will surely NEVER be forgotten.

Rest in piece our friend…. You will be missed……….

I’ve lost a few relatives in my life, but no death has ever been harder than Harry’s for me. I used to scream “outta here!” as a baby. I emulated Harry’s voice throughout my entire life (I actually do an extremely good impression). He was the human connection to the Phillies for me. And, really, he was the reason I’ve always wanted to be a play-by-play broadcaster. Seriously, that’s my dream job. But anyway – he humanized baseball for me, and surely, for all of us. He was just a very, very good friend. One of my best friends.

The day he died, as the news began trickling, I moved fast to update the site. But the moment his death came across, I started shaking. I felt numb. I’ve never felt numb about a death. A few co-workers asked if I was okay. I wanted nothing more than to go outside and breathe, and probably cry. Sometimes it just happens.

Part of me wishes we were able to give him the proper sendoff. But he’s been involved in a lot of special events, and you know, he never fit right doing them. He made sense in the box, doing his work, being Harry. It is appropriate that he went on those terms. But boy, I wish I had him back. I miss him badly.

He just had a great way of doing it that is lacking among the younger broadcasters.

I’ll be at the game tonight, and it will be very emotional I’m sure.

-KK

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