A Death In The Family

[SalmonChantedEvening]

That's how it feels, at least to me.

Since I was 13, that low easy voice, that would on the correct occcasion rise in magnificent crecendo to match the moment, is gone. I have been a follower and a part of Phillies baseball since I was 7 years old. And like David Montgomery said today, I have lost my voice.

My Dad's cousin Ross ran the ticket office at Connie Mack Stadium and The Vet until the mid 1980's. He also worked spring training for the Phils and A's dating back to the late 1940's. Tony Taylor and Dick Allen consider him a 2nd father to this day.

And spanning the years from junior high until this afternoon, there was Harry. Honest, cordial and homespun that Rumplestiltslkin would envy, Harry laid out the game with brevity. You need only listen for 2 minutes to know what the Score truly was.

We never met, but I had the priviledge to speak with his longtime broadcast partner, Richie Ashburn, on my 30th birthday at a card show. I mentioned Uncle Ross and Richie glowed. For the few minutes we spoke, Richie was my new Uncle. He made my year that day, perhaps even my decade. Had Harry and I ever met and spoken, I have no doubt that he would have extended me the same wonderful affection and kindness.

Safe in that knowledge I can only say this.

Goodbye Uncle Harry. I love you.

[TZ]

1. I didn't realize till today how many different things he did

Most sports fans will miss that beautiful voice.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

3. The man was as genuine as the voice TZ.

A humble, warm gentleman who never forgot how fortunate he was to do what he did for a living.

[BeachBaby]

2. I've been thinking about you all afternoon.

I'm so sorry, sweetie. Does it help to know that I've been sitting here, teary-eyed, ever since the announcement? It's like losing a grandfather.

Phillies baseball just won't be the same without his "It's outta here!" ringing through the tubes.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

4. It most surely does BB

As long as you know I was thinking of you too.

I was just heading out on a delivery run when I heard the news, and the whole Delaware Valley is feeling the loss.

I did get a chance to express my gratitiude once, if only from a distance. In between games of a DH against the Orioles at the Vet, I did my stroll of the concourse and saw Harry at the booth. I stood and waited until he caught my eye, and made a Thank You gesture and patted my heart.

He responded in kind, and that is all I will ever need.

[BeachBaby]

5. I find it to be more than ironic.....

that JUST TODAY - right around when Harry passed - is when I added my new sigline with my pic and link to Chase's speech. Harry is in the clip.

The closest I ever got to Harry, was back in 2004. I was in an elevator with my husband, heading up to the luxury boxes. The elevator stopped, and the door opened. It was Harry, and Howard Eskin. Ugh. I can't stand Howard.

I never got to say anything to him, because Howard was too busy yammering; but at least I got to see Harry up close.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. Ugh indeed

A friend of mine always caleed Eskin the Rona Barrett of sports. Nails on the chalkboard of my mind.

I couldn't listen today, after KYW played Larry Andersen's pre-game talk.

[BeachBaby]

8. Yeah. Larry was a mess.

My brother and I are going to try to get into Friday's game, since they're planning a tribute ceremony to Harry. Don't know if we'll get tickets - since we imagine it will be a sold-out game - but we're going to try.

Big hugs to you, SCE.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. Bunches of hugs back BB

My best to your brother please, and remind him that his sister is a Gem.

[KitchenWitch]

6. I had similar feelings when both Bob Casey and Herb Carneal died

I am so sorry for yours and all other Phillies fans' loss.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

9. Thank you KW :)

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the Twins, going back to the days of Bob Allison, Tony Oliva, Jim Merritt, Harmon Killebrew and some guy named Carew.

I'm still a bit stunned by it all.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. How very sad. My sympathies to you, my friend, and what a wonderful story...

It's a sad day for baseball, the legendary voice of the Phillies and Detroit legend, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych...

But he did leave with the best memory, announcing the Phillies spectacular win in the last Series. I've told you that my dear friend, Paul, was a huge Phillies fan. He traveled and lived all over the world, but always followed and championed his home team. I rooted for them too, in the '80s and '90s, since I knew how much it meant to Paul, who died on Christmas Eve, 1998, at age 101. The voice of the Phillies is in good company. Godspeed, Harry...

[SalmonChantedEvening]

12. He is indeed Rhiannon :)

I don't know how the broadcast team made it through yesterday, let alone how the guys played the game.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I agree. It must have been a devastating shock to both the team and the fans.

Probably all of them, even the fans, aren't used to a game without hearing The Voice. They played amazingly well, considering, perhaps as a tribute to Harry.


You've probably seen this pic of the team after hearing the news:





I ran into this collection of (mostly) memorable photos when I was searching again for the one of the team:

http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/harry,kalas/Recent



And this video of Harry when the Phillies won the series. Harry kept his cool and did his job, while Chris Wheeler was the one who lost it, LOL.

Harry Kalas and Chris Wheeler celebrate the Phillies World Series Win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4IHefE3xgY&feature=rela...

My sympathies to you, my friend. I know how much this means to you...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. ~

[SalmonChantedEvening]

15. :)

TA