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Harry Kalas, R.I.P.

Aragorn

Aragorn

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ESPN/AP story

WASHINGTON -- Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died at the age of 73, team president David Montgomery said Monday.

Kalas, who also filled a voiceover role for NFL Films since 1975, was taken to a hospital Monday after passing out in the broadcast booth before Monday's game against the Washington Nationals.

Montogomery's voice was cracking as he said "we have lost our voice."
The 73-year-old Kalas, known for his distinctive "Outta here!" call on home runs, was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m., Montgomery said.

Kalas joined the Phillies in 1971. Before that, he was an original member of the Houston Astros' broadcast team from 1965-70.

In 2002, he received the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for his contributions to the game.
 
Just found out about 10 minutes ago. Really shocking. He was a great announcer, great sports guy, and just fun to listen to. I could only hear highlights of his phlly games, but was able to hear him sometimes on the Westwood one's Sunday Football coverage and he just had that unique voice. He will be missed. :(

This is one tough week for Baseball. First Adenhart, now this. Not a very good way to start the season. :(

RIP to both. :(
 
I found out through facebook status messages....lots of Phillies fan friends.

I grew up listening to Harry Kalas, and it will be very strange to hear Phillies broadcasts without him. He will be missed. :(
 
My sister called me today to tell me. I'm listening to the game now. He's been the voice of the Phillies all of my life and it's going to be tough to listen to games without him.

Rest in peace, Harry.

Neil
 
I love that simple, understated style of broadcasting. As opposed to the loudmouth hacks just trying to coin a phrase that will stick on Sportscenter.

Not to mention, dude was the voice of the PuppyBowl.

RIP, Harry.
 
Wow, I'm really sad to hear this. He was such a great guy. Someone all of Philly was proud to have as a broadcaster. I'm really going to miss him :(
 
I was at Nationals Park today helping out and all of a sudden everything got crazy. Went down the hall to the visitor's radio booth and he was laying there. A friend did CPR until the paramedics got there but it was too late.

He died doing what he loved. RIP Harry. :(
 
I was so saddened to see the headline about this today while I was at work. I seriously couldn't concentrate afterwards. The man was synonymous with Phillies baseball, and as such was a huge part of my childhood as a Phils fan and Pennsylvania native. His work with NFL films, in commercials....most people have heard his voice even if they didn't know his name.

Somewhere, Richie Ashburn is welcoming Harry K home.

"Had 'em all the way, Harry."
 
As a Mets fan, that's how I felt when I heard Bob Murphy died a few years back. I can't tell you how many Friday nights I spent sitting in the car as a kid going somewhere with the Mets on the radio.

After a while, an announcer becomes as synonymous with the team as the stadium or the uniforms.

I was listening to Mad Dog Unleashed on the way home from work and they kept talking about Kalas for some reason. Took a few minutes to realize it was because he had died. Very sad stuff.
 
:( I miss skip Skip Caray for the Braves. I know what fans are about to experience. It's hard to fill a void that big.
 
My heart goes out to Phillies fans. :(

I don't remember what Kalas' voice sounds like - I've never heard him announce a game - but I can definitely sympathize. Bob Sheppard (the Yankees announcer) has been ill for some time and is having to sit out the first few games at the new Yankee Stadium. If something happened to him I would be devastated. So I know how you all must feel.

(I do have the 2008 World Series film on Blu-Ray. Maybe Kalas is on there. I'll have to check.)
 
I would hope he's on there.

Here are a bunch of his calls (including the World Series, although he couldn't sing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7X-vzP3pA4

If you've ever heard "This ball is outta here, it's either Harry Kalas or someone who copied it from him."

I really liked this article. I think it helps sum up what Harry Kalas meant to this city.

Somebody Stole the Liberty Bell

Harry got it all. He got baseball, and he got life on the road. He got how lucky he was to have that voice that everyone knew and that manner that made everyone his friend. He got Philadelphia, got it so well that he became part of the civic landscape. He got us, and that's not easy.

The birds stopped singing in Rittenhouse Square yesterday. The tugboats on the Delaware couldn't sound their horns. When the carriage horses took their customers past Independence Hall, there was no clop-clopping on the cobblestones. The factory whistle wouldn't let anyone leave work. Kids burst from their school rooms and didn't utter a peep.

Philadelphia went quiet yesterday afternoon. Harry Kalas died at the ballpark, and the city lost its voice.
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