Phillies Nation

Once there was a silly old ant, who thought he’d move a rubber tree plant
But anyone knows an ant, can’t, move a rubber tree plant

But he’s has High Hopes
He has High Hopes
He has high apple pie in the sky hopes

So when you start feelin’ low, instead of lettin’ go
Just remember that ant

Oops there goes another rubber tree
Oops there goes another rubber tree
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.

-Harry Kalas

Tim Malcolm, Phillies Nation reporter emeritus, wrote this heartfelt reaction to the death of Harry Kalas the day after he passed in the press box at Nationals Park. That was two years ago today. To this day, he is still missed, but there is no doubt that his voice lives on. We’ll share some old audio clips later on today.

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My mother’s and father’s were the first two voices I heard after I was born. Now I’m not sure, but I would bet the third was the voice of Harry Kalas.

It was a stunning voice. His rich, regal baritone felt like the wind shaving across a midwestern field. He was an Illinois boy, honing his craft in the fields of Iowa – closely neighboring the fields where Richie Ashburn rooted. He moved to Hawaii, then to Houston, then to Philadelphia. Despite his youth, he carried that majestic voice, deep and hearty, assured and personable. It honestly felt like baseball.

And for millions of us, Kalas’ voice wasn’t simply something that felt like baseball, it was baseball. It was the first sound heard when we turned the radio dial, then it was the first sound heard when we clicked to the television. It greeted us to the park as if we sat there ourselves. His words wrapped around the hollow concourses of Veterans Stadium, echoed into the field, warmed us on those chilly summer nights. And yet it defined our lazy summer afternoons, sitting at the public pool, or on the stoop, or in our living rooms. It cradled our hopes and ambitions of a team that always let us down.

Harry never let us down.

Continue reading Celebrating HK Two Years Later

In a press release from the Phillies, they have announced the acceptance of the Harry Kalas statue built by Larry Nolan:

The Phillies have gratefully accepted the fan-funded gift of a 7½-foot bronze statue of Harry Kalas for placement at Citizens Bank Park, Mike Stiles, Senior Vice President, Administration and Operations, announced today.  The statue was presented to the Phillies as a gift from Dear Harry, Inc., a fan-based group organized solely to create a statue dedicated to the memory of the Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster.  The sculptor, Lawrence J. Nowlan, has received important commissions for public sculpture across the country and overseas.

“A group of us from the Phillies went to the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester to see the statue for the first time a few weeks ago,” said Stiles.  “We were very impressed.  It’s a wonderful likeness of Harry that really captures his spirit.  There are interesting details that I don’t want to give away.  I think fans will be very excited to see this statue of Harry at the ballpark.

“The Phillies are very grateful to all the fans who contributed to this effort, as well as to Larry Nowlan for his impressive work.  We accept the gift, with gratitude, in honor of the memory of our beloved colleague and friend, Harry Kalas.”

Details about the location of the statue at the ballpark and date and time of the unveiling have yet to be determined.

Continue reading Harry Kalas Statue to Stand at Citizens Bank Park

With just three days to Opening Day – why not start the festivities early with us at a HUGE Phillies kick-off party at McFadden’s Ballpark this Thursday, March 31st. The party starts at 8pm with dollar beers for the first two hours. Mr. Greengenes will be providing the music and local celebrities will be tending bar. Also, King Bee Memorabilia will be running an auction to help raise money for the Harry Kalas statue project which is almost complete. We hope to see you there!
Continue reading Opening Day Eve Party at McFadden’s

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!”

Hopefully this works for tonight’s game. High hopes everyone…

Next time you’re found with your chin on the ground, there a lot to be learned, so look around.
Just what makes that little old ant think he’ll move that rubber-tree plant? Anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber-tree plant.
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes.
He’s got high apple pie in the sky hopes.

Pat Gallen can be reached via email at Pat@Philliesnation.com

In a classy display of admiration and love for their lost broadcaster, the Phillies raced to left field following their victory Wednesday night to pay tribute to Harry Kalas. Some players slapped the wall; others showered it with beer, but all embraced in front of the giant “HK” 370 feet from home plate.

It was a fitting tribute to the legendary, larger-than-life voice of the Philadelphia Phillies.  He will always remain a part of the team, as is witnessed by his blue sports coat and white shoes traveling as part of the team all year.

Following the final out, “High Hopes” blared throughout Citizens Bank Park as another heartwarming reminder that Harry will be with us for the long haul this season, as well as many more to come.  And although he is gone, his legacy and passion for the sport still resonates throughout the ballpark, and the city as a whole.

On a side note, I thought the honoring of Harry was fitting.  It was reminiscent of how the Angels paid to homage to a teammate they lost earlier in the season, Nick Adenhart. Some believed that by showering the jersey of Adenhart with an alcoholic beverage, it sent the wrong message because of how the young man was killed.  Personally, it gave me goose bumps as much as the HK celebration because the Angels acted as if he was there with him; as if he was another human in the clubhouse being sprayed.

In our Tuesday podcast, Scott Franzke said it’s obvious no one will ever be able to replace Kalas, but that he pays his respect to HK by always being prepared and by treating the game with respect.  All fans young and old echo that sentiment about respect.  Everyone had undying respect for the man, and it was touching to watch the Phillies as a whole thank him for all he did with that quick reminder that he’s always here.

Listening to the games on the radio throughout the postseason just won’t be the same, though Franzke and his cohorts will do their best to conjure up memories of Harry the K.  And as we join the Phils on this October trip once again, we will, without question, have Harry in our minds, and hearts.  He’s still a part of this team, and no one has forgotten.

On August 7, Harry Kalas will be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.

“When we started the Wall of Fame in 1978, the intent was to honor the great players in our history,” team president David Montgomery said. “We believe it is fitting to make an exception because Harry deserves to be remembered along with some of the greatest names in our history. He is indeed a Phillies icon.”

The Wall of Fame is located in Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park.

Add your photos to this collection by emailing us or visiting the “Harry Kalas, voice of the Phils” group on Flickr.