Eight Months Later, Harry’s Still in Our Thoughts
Posted by Amanda Orr, Fri, November 13, 2009 08:08 AM | Comments: 23
Harry Kalas Tribute, Posts
You’re putting together a puzzle, and you’re just about finished. The whole puzzle is put together, but you realize that one piece is missing. You look in the box, and it’s not there.
From walk-off wins, to complete games, to winning a National League pennant, the 2009 season was filled with many memories. Even with all the success, Phillies baseball was missing something: their voice.
The Phillies organization did a terrific job remembering their late broadcaster. During the National League East celebration, the team rushed to left field, showering the “HK” sign with beer. “That ball is outta here!” was played after each home run, and “High Hopes” blasted after each win. Harry Kalas was inducted into the Wall of Fame, and the broadcast team shared their fondest memories of Kalas all year long. All these tributes were heartwarming and classy, but you can’t help but wonder: “how would HK have called it?”
During the World Series, Scott Franzke called Chase Utley’s homer run: “…and as our friend ‘HK’ would say, you are the man!” Franzke has done a fantastic job this season, and that call was perfect. It showed that eight months later, Harry is still in all of our thoughts.
“Outta here!” and “struck ‘em out!” are missed, but just as much as “no runs, no hits, no errors, and none left.” On many occasions, what happened on the field was remembered by his calls. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think of Harry. Phillies baseball wasn’t quite the same, but Harry would have been proud of this team.
Harry was the Phillies missing piece of the puzzle. He is missed very much, but I am thankful that I was able to listen to him over the years. HK will always be in our hearts, and always reminding us to have “High Hopes!”
Posts: 0 Pizza Bagel
Beautifully written article, Amanda. Always a pleasure to read your posts. I just hope (even thought I know it won’t happen) that we continue to play the “Outta Here” after home runs this coming season as well as “High Hopes” after games. Can’t ever get enough Kalas.
Posted: 08:47 AM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Bsg
I was lucky enough to be at the ring cermony game vs . The braves with my brother and I remener turning to him and saying how cool it was that Harry tossed his first pitch ball into the crowd seeing him out there with his red coat on the phils getting their W.S. Rings and than coming from behind with a snowman 8 run 7 inning and to go on and win the game which was the first of the season and one of many comebacks for the fightin Phils! Just summed up everything that is great about being a Phillies fans probably one of my top all time phillies games and just so sad to have Harry leave us just a few short days later it was great to be able to hear him on the radio vs. The Rockies over that weekend. It really made 2008 that more magical that he was with us for that season and gave us the gift of the phillies being the” 2008 world champions of baseball” we miss you H.K!!
Posted: 08:56 AM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 John Russo
I was at that game, too, bsg.
HK tossing out the first pitch: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TypIRKo2HwM/SeOJq1tLYpI/AAAAAAAAAI8/5avqt3nrITo/s1600-h/harry+k.jpg
Posted: 10:44 AM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 roundoff
who’s going to be calling the games on TV next year. I hope not tmac. can franzkie please switch over
Posted: 11:28 AM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 DY
Not to rag too much on TMac because I do think he’s a pretty good announcer (of course, noone even approaches the class of Harry Kalas in the game today – IMO, not even the legend of Vin Scully), but it was just so different this season. Like you said, it felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing, something left an empty feeling.
TMac’s “Gone!” calls compared to our beloved HK’s “outta here!” calls are just one case in point. There was a sense of each home run not being complete, not being as majestic as each once was, not being as soul-tingling and satisfying as each once was. Harry the K will be forever missed, and no matter who you put in that booth, noone will ever fill his powder blue jacket and white shoes.
Posted: 11:42 AM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Bob Kahn
Nice article.
One thing I wish the Phillies would change is the High Hopes song. It is a song of hope, not celebration. They should consider playing it after losses, not wins or alternately in the ninth when the Phillies are behind.
Posted: 12:28 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 hotstove
I liked the way Tmac handled the whole transition. He isnt as bad as I though he was going to be. He isnt harry but who is, I’ll give him this season to see if he is a pxp man for the future.
Posted: 01:08 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
T-Mac’s, “GONE!” has that puncuation to it.. like a great feat has been acomplished..
I think he did a great job last year.. and will continue to do so in the years to come
I really prefer T-Mac and Wheels.. the innings with Sarge are hard to take
…
High Hopes was sung by Harry in celebration.. and hopefully, that tradition will continue for years to come
Posted: 01:20 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Liver
Who cares anymore about baseball. The Yankees will sign Doc, Figgins and whoever they feel like. The only reason the Phillies go to the world series is because the NL is a waste of vapor. TRUTH. Fire Andy R. Kick a field goal with no time outs down. FOOL.
Posted: 01:34 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
T-Mac is a good announcer. There arent that many better living baseball announcers really. Hes going to be fine, and he has been welcomed into the Phillies family quite warmly I feel.
Posted: 01:42 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Um, no, who cares about the NFL on here? Seriously, go somewhere else. The NFL is mindless numbing garbage. At least baseball is somewhat of a thinking man’s game.
Posted: 01:46 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 DY
I do agree with Geoff. I think, for the most part, most Phillies fans are satisfied with TMac. And like anyone on a job, the more you practice and perform, the only place to go is up. So here’s to a new generation of play callers, and let’s remember to cut them some slack. After all, the very definition of “legend” is that not everyone will, or is expected to, develop into one. Harry the K IS a legend!
But just imagine, many years down the line, perhaps the memories of our children and their children, who will obviously be Phillies fans, will be dominated by the voices of TMac and the others who’ll follow, and they’ll be held in the same warm regard.
Posted: 02:00 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
I loved this post, Amanda. It’s funny that you post it today, because was watching the World Series DVDs. I’d forgotten just how well Harry called a game until I saw the fourth through sixth innings, and I’d forgotten just how special baseball was. when Harry was calling the game.
Posted: 02:09 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 greeninil
Can we pry Todd Kalas away from Tampa Bay?
Posted: 02:11 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Pasadena_Phan
Nice job, Amanda. The loss of HK is an intangible for everyone concerned.
We were lucky as fans to have had a person of such class with us for as long as we did.
That said, Franzke & LA stepped up and did a stellar job this season in the radio booth.
Not sure what’s going to happen next season, any thoughts?
Posted: 02:16 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 shag beta sigma delta
I to miss HK making the calls for games, I grew up with him, being 5 years old in 1971, he was the only Phillies voice I knew. Now living in Vermont, and the watching games on extra innings I rarely get the Phillies feed, so now I have many voices in my head when watching the Phillies games, and mostly from the other teams perspective. That really makes me miss HK more, other then the clowns, and I use that in the good sense, in DC, and Scully alone in the booth in LA. there are really not many really good announcers in the NL. I am sure I am missing some, but some are just plain bad. We were very very lucky to have HK for so many years, and most of us I think really appreciate that fact.
I really like Dibbs and the other guy in DC they are fun to listen too, the Mets guys are bad, the Rockies are bad. St. Louis is ok just a little bland for me. I am sure I am missing some good guys, but the few times I DVR the right channel to get Phillies announcers I like Tmac, Sarge I can take or leave he has his moments, but I have listened to Wheels for a long time now, and not hearing him everyday, I do not get annoyed like some on here.
Thanks for all the memories HK, and a great article Amanda
Posted: 02:48 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Liver
Mindless garbage. The NFL is the number one sport in the World. MLB cant touch the ratings of the NFL. The NFL is balanced. You cant predict the superbowl winner. I picked the Yankees before the season. Tough guess with there payroll going up 300 million. I can already name 12 teams next season in baseball that will be out of it by july. You cant do that in the NFL. Why would anyone care to watch a sport like that.
Posted: 02:53 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
You cannot go to a game without thinking of Harry. When a HR is hit by the Phils and the bells tolls, you think of Harry and when the Phils are leading 11-0 in the 8th, the only reason to stick around in the 9th is to sing with most of the crowd as the rush towards the exit slows and the noise of the crowd is hushed by the signing.
Tears fill my eyes nearly every time I sing it – seriously, like remembering your dad.
Good article, Amanda.
Posted: 03:17 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Nice article Amanda.
Needless to say, Harry Kalas will deservedly go down as one of the best ever… not just in our city but in all of sports.
Truth be told, I prefer the radio broadcast over television and 9 times out of 10 you can find me in my room listening to the game (rather than sitting in front of my 42″ Vizio, HD. Harry Kalas could paint a picture with his voice that is better than any HD broadcast. Franzke is really good; a worthy replacement but it took some time for me to accept that he’s not Harry. Franzke’s as good as we’re gonna get… miss HK to death and it’s not the same but we are blessed to have a great broadcast booth.
Posted: 03:23 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Liver
I miss HK TOO. His heavy breathing from smoking over fifty years. Good luck everyone
Posted: 04:08 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Amanda, this was a really nice post, and alot of very emotional comments too. I’m having one of those days where stuff like this just just gets me all verklempt, yeeeesshhh.
Posted: 04:12 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Liver, given the context of your comments, you probably don’t care at all, but what you’re doing on here is about as classless as it gets. I don’t normally feed the trolls, but a post honoring Harry is off limits for d-bags like that.
Posted: 04:19 PM on November 13, 2009
Posts: 0 karen
I definately missed Harry as did all Philly Phans the entire season but somehow the playoffs were the time that I missed him the most. I find myself tearing up over this article……The season is long and the memory did fade at times but the times when we were down or when we lost the game 4 to the yankees….Harry would have definately have found a way to turn it into a positive/uplifting thing.
Although not the same, I wanted the Angels to play the Phillies in the world series. We lost our voice, Harry. The Angels lost a young pitcher who was just making it. There is definately that connection between the Phillies and the Angels.
Posted: 11:09 PM on November 13, 2009