Opinion: Season Of False Starts Has A New Backdrop
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, April 15, 2009 08:00 AM | Comments: 25
Opinion, Posts
The first week of the 2009 baseball season brought a number of distractions, though these were mostly welcome. Of them, the Phillies raised the banner on their 2008 season, and they received the rings that symbolized their ultimate victory. Upon receiving those rings, I remarked that it was nice to finally shed the skins of 2008. It was nice to finally move on from distraction.
Then tragedy struck.
The moment I learned Harry Kalas had been rushed to the hospital, I immediately felt uneasy. The past indicated serious problems, and frankly, sometimes a bad feeling just knocks your stomach. In minutes I learned Harry’s situation was “serious,” and even faster, I learned the air had left him. Harry was gone. Just like that.
After initial shock, many of us asked,” Could they play a game today?” Well, the Phillies played, and though it started empty, it grew to an offensive explosion, the type of game that seemed untouched by tragedy. The Phillies won — though by the skin of their teeth — fueled more by lackluster Washington pitching than anything else. In a respectful coincidence, the Phils gained a day off Tuesday, a good time to recollect, remember and refuel. They’ll be back at it tonight against the Nationals with, maybe, a bit of the tragedy behind them.
Of course, Harry’s memory won’t be behind them. It will be there at least until the 2009 season departs, and probably, for a long, long time. In a way, then, Harry’s memory makes for an interesting storyline for the rest of the season. Is the repeat campaign now suddenly about winning for Harry (however cliche)? Does the season take on a higher tone now that the voice of the team has left the Earth?
In a season so far hazy from distractions, the Phillies are a solid 4-3. And they’re in fine position to build upon that mark. But the death of Harry Kalas offers, if anything, a defining legacy to the 2009 season. No longer is about repeating and having a target on their backs. Now it’s about pressing on, nodding in respect to a great man, and playing the game the way he would’ve liked it to be played.
Posts: 0 Phil
very well said, tim. you never disappoint in your writing. they need to repeat for not just themselves or the fans but for harry as well.
Posted: 08:19 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 matt p
That would be a godsend if they repeat, talk him into it, harry.
Posted: 08:48 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 goosebumps
i still get a chill whenever i read something about harry. its just so hard to beleive he is gone and i wont hear him callin the games anymore :( but last year was all about the phans. we got what we deserved. this year, its for the players and most importantly, for harry.
Posted: 09:07 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 cxl72
I would bet my last dollar that Harry meant little to the current players. His death will not be a distraction at all. That is not understating his value but this isn’t a Jerome Brown or Pelle Lindbergh situation where the players lost “one of their own” and have to somehow go on. Hey I love Harry and the Phils but I’m not naïve.
Posted: 09:38 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
What an ignorant comment.. why even post that??
Harry would visit with the players everyday in the locker room.. he sat in the back of the plane with the players when the traveled.. seriously, why would you even write that?
You obviously don’t know anything about the Phillies, or how they work.. and how to a man, the players will tell you that they think about how it sounded when Harry called-it as they are running the bases after a Home Run..
Guys like Rico Brogna and Doug Glanville said that they still listen to Harry making calls in games that they played.. Scoops at 1st by “REE-CO BRON-YA”.. or Glanville saying that when he hit an Inside-the-Park home run he was thinking about how Harry was describing it, more than him actually rounding the bases and trying to score..
that was a low-class comment, “cxl72″
Tim.. can you delete that.. and THIS response to it..
Thanks
Posted: 10:02 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Chutley
Harry was still abig part of this team. dont know what you’re takin bout.
Posted: 10:10 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Phil
cxl72 harry was basically a player himself. he wasnt just an announcer he was an institution. the players respected him. more to come when i get out of class and get to my computer
Posted: 10:16 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 cxl72
Oh my goodness, get a grip. Baseball players are not thoughtful caring individuals that are up all night crying about Harry. They’re pampered self-absorbed athletes worried about themselves. They will take this in stride and move on with absolutely no difficulties. Those that think baseball players are wonderful kind hearted people that will be moved by the death of an announcer are in some type of fog. Losing Harry is a huge loss to the Phillies fans, baseball in general and NFL films but the players wont skip a beat….
Posted: 10:38 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Wow, that was a bonehead post! Harry means so much to this team and the organization. Yes we as the fans lost someone who would enter our homes each night to bring us our Philles, but he was a different breed of announcer. He not only had the voice, but he had a genuine love for the team and players he called the games of.
How dare you litter these threads with such ignorant comments!!!!!
You should be banned(if possible) cxl72!
Okay onto a positive note. I truly agree that this year it is for the players. Winning it in honor of Harry would be a great thing, but this team wants to prove themselves as a dominant group not a flash in the pan.
Posted: 10:39 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Man you have issues…..
Hate to remind you… Players are human and all will deal with loss in their own right , will there be players on the Philies that won’t be phased by it of course, but I am sure many will. Did you see Jaime Moyer’s interview after the game he was in tears, JRol was teary eyed as well.
Go away Cxl72! Just becasue players make big bucks doesn’t mean all of them are self-centered self absorbed. Many are but the Phillies are a different group that is why they won last year, and not teams like the Yankees, Cubs, and Mets
Posted: 10:43 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 cxl72
Oh no, I’m ignorant and banned because I think professional athletes focus only on themselves and are not emotionally devastated over the death of their announcer. Harry loved the 1993 team because some of them would hang out after games drinking with him. The times have changed and athletes have changed. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…..
Posted: 10:49 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
If you feel that way about baseball- why the hell are you even posting on a baseball sight? I mean do you watch games on TV, radio, or attend them? If so, you are also contributing to their high salaries which in turn, in your mind, contribute to them being pampered. Why are you posting this?
Does anyone know if they will actually visit the White House this year? I know they have a few trips planned to DC- but didn’t know if they would be able to visit President Obama this year. And did the team go back to Philly yesterday? I didn’t see much from down here in DC on it.
Posted: 10:51 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Nobody on the team hangs out and talks with Harry?… none of them see him and talk to him every single day? You are probably on the team, so you would definitely know that..
I understand the point that you are trying to make.. but #1.. why make it? #2, all 4 of your friends might agree with you, but the rest of us don’t.. so why try to argue it?
Maybe players today aren’t as connected to others in the organization as they once were. but for you to act like you know everyone and how things work off the field, and to suggest pretty much that the players don’t care about Harry Kalas’ death is just a low-class move.
Posted: 10:59 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 cxl72
Matt, you can love baseball but not think like an 8 year old that these are great everyday guys that would want to hang out with you. I love baseball and couldn’t care less that a baseball player wouldn’t give the fans the time of day.
I’ll watch a Russell Crowe movie even though he threw a phone at some guy that worked at a hotel. My point was (and is) that the players won’t miss a beat over Harry’s death. Sure the fan base will feel it a million times more because some of us have spent years listening to him.
Players…..they’ll be fine.
Posted: 11:05 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
I’m glad that my outlook on life is not nearly as bleak as cxl72. What’s the point of even attempting to enjoy baseball or life in general if you think everyone is selfish and arrogant? Seriously, why would you watch or even care?
I had the privilege of being at the game where the Phils clinched the division last year. After the game we went down to the field level where all the players and staff were celebrating with the fans. HK stood out as the figurehead on the field. To all he was larger than Charlie, larger than the superstars, larger than the Phanatic even. We watched as every player went out of their way to seek him out, if for no other reason, than to get his reaction on their success. That shows their respect for the man if it does not show their camaraderie.
Do I know if he had a personal relationship with them and vice versa? I would like to think so but like you, I don’t know. From all I’ve seen, from the way he was held in such high regards by the players in interviews and on the field, and because I want to ENJOY the game of baseball, I CHOOSE to believe that they did. Just like you CHOOSE to believe your salty, unfounded, stick in the mud, s**t on your doorstep, belief.
To show up and act like you KNOW anything for no other reason than just to rain on people’s parade is LAME.
Posted: 11:20 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
We spent years listening to him effects us more than players, some of which have known him personally and spent time with him on a daily-basis for the past few years??
You sound like d!ck, you should just stop talking for a while
Posted: 11:37 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
This guy is obviously a Mets Fan trying to get a rise out of everybody.
Nobody is THAT COLD.Dont even respond to him and he’ll go away.
Posted: 11:49 AM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
I’ve been too choked up to write anything. I’ve listened to him since the 70′s. i can’t really say anything except that i will miss him.
its like losing a family member
- Mike
Posted: 12:11 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Cxl72=loser
I will leave it at that, lets all move on and just remember that those that are Met fans are jealous cause their team has done nothing for a long time
Posted: 01:01 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 cxl72
You guys are just crazy. Sorry to burst your bubble. Enjoy the rest of your day. Go Phils……
Posted: 01:07 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
really? Harry Kalas was one of the last of a vanishing breed of baseball announcers. The guy was a total, complete legenad but youd never know it if you crossed paths with him in person because he didnt act that way. To say that about him is disgusting. The players put it behind them BECUASE ITS THEIR JOB TO GO OUT AND DO SO….
Posted: 01:40 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
I just heard a Harry Kalas “outa here ” advertisement for the Phils game today on ESPN radio.It took me a couple of seconds to realize he wont actually be there at the game.
Man that gave me a shiver down my spine..
I cant say it enough..that man will be missed.There really isnt anyone else like him.
Posted: 02:24 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 KevO
cxl72, obviously has been in and out of the major league clubhouse, has emotional ties to the players as well, so knows their exact relationship with Harry.
When i was a sophmore in high school, my history teacher, was a huge phillies fan, and he told us a story how after one of the phils games back in the day, he was walking to his car way after the game was over, and saw Harry, and him and his buddy sat around the cars and drank a case of beer and just talked with him, not only about baseball, but everything else.
Thats the kind of person he is, i mean if Wheels talks to the players regularly, and visits them in the clubhouse, etc, you KNOW Harry is always there with them. (I cant stand Wheels) hahaha
cxl72 sucks..
Posted: 02:59 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 timb
I know I’ll get heat for this, but I bet cxl72 is right about this one. Hey man, I got choked up when I heard about Harry. My girlfriend cried. I called my Dad right away and I could tell he was upset too. Harry meant the world to all of us Philly fans, there is no denying that.
…but to the majority of today’s Phillies, who didn’t grow up listening to Harry or even knowing who he was, I doubt they’re too upset about this. Sad? Sure, but devasted and distracted? I doubt it.
Give cxl72 a break. This is a forum where we all post our opinions. Let’s stop this talk about deleted posts and banning people.
Posted: 03:36 PM on April 15, 2009
Posts: 0 timb
Oh, and go Phils!
Posted: 03:37 PM on April 15, 2009