R.I.P. Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

by **BigEd76** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 17:38:46

NFL Films president Steve Sabol

“In the 46 years of NFL Films, we have worked with two of the greatest voiceover talents in television history. John Facenda was the ‘Voice of God,’ and Harry Kalas was the ‘Voice of the People.’ His substance was his style. There was no shtick, just a steady blend of crisp articulation and resonance.”

“In many ways, Harry is the narrator of our memories. His voice lives on not only on film, but inside the heads of everyone who has watched and listened to NFL Films.”

by **Bucky** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 17:51:48

stevelxa476 wrote:Really just awful. I keep going back to the couple of times I got to meet Harry after Phils games and when he would toss bags of peanuts down from the press box during Take Me Out to the Ballgame. I am just glad he finally got to call the World Series before he left us.

The bag of "Harry Peanuts" I caught still sits, unopened, on my memoribilia shelf behind my Harry & Whitey bobblehead and Talkin' Harry.

by **kruker** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:10:03

He is and always will be one of the all time greats. In my 10 years in Phildelphia and 13 years elsewhere Harry was the only member of the media any team I’ve ever been around, accepted as a true member of the team.

For the 10 years I was in Philadelphia Harry was the only member of the media ever allowed to ride on the players bus. He was in the truest sense of the meaning, one of us. He was as close, if not closer, to some members of the team than other teammates.

In addition to the professional accolades he was one of my all time favorite people. I had the privilege and honor of sharing some great and personal memories with Harry throughout my time in Philadelphia.

If you were to put a Mount Rushmore of Philadelphia sports up, Harry would have to be one of the four faces on that mountain.

Personally speaking I can honestly say that hearing Harry’s voice as the ‘call’ on some of my professional accomplishments is an all time memory and incredible honor I’ll be forever grateful for.

Harry you will be greatly missed as someone who never “swung and missed! Struck him right on outta there”

God Bless and Rest in Peace

Schilling

by **Pittfan03** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:15:32

Man, I don't even know what to say. RIP.

by **BigEd76** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:16:22

Barkann is attempting to do the Phils postgame on CSN and he's cracking...

by **mcare89** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:21:25

I've been trying to find the right words to post since I heard the news, but I just can't find them, so I'm just going to vent.

Like all of you, I grew up listening to Harry Kalas, and things just aren't the same anymore. But Harry had more of an effect on my life than many people. I always knew that Harry had the coolest job in the world. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be like him. I never met the man, but he inspired me like nobody else ever has.

Today, I'm at Temple University pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism to become a sportscaster, just like my idol.

Good bye, Harry. And thank you.

by **BigEd76** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:28:44

Houston Chronicle article with more quotes, including Bob Costas

by **kruker** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:42:40

DNL just said that the broadcasters haven't received their rings yet.

by **stevelxa476** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:52:01

A little fitting that my Snapple cap trivia is that an ant can lift up to 50 times its body weight. Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.

by 1 » Mon Apr 13, 2009 18:59:58

by **FTN** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:09:25

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1240

by **Drugs Delaney** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:18:51

I posted this elsewhere, but it fits here, too:

Today was my saddest day as a sports fan. I've been near tears several times since I heard the news. Just a devastating loss. I've been listening to Harry Kalas call Phillies games in his rich baritone since I was a little, little kid. Now he's gone and I don't think anyone will ever be able to replace him. I'm so glad he got to call the World Series last year and I'm also glad I got to hear him call one last game yesterday (a great game decided on two late home runs with classic Kalas home run calls). He had it to the very end.

It's funny, I'm not one to get emotional when a public figure dies because it's not like I knew him, but it's different with Harry Kalas. He was such an important part of my childhood, such an important part of my adulthood. There's no one else in that realm of existence in my life that compares in terms of greatness or importance to me.

Rest in peace, Harry. I'm going to miss you.

by **Bill McNeal** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:25:04

Deadspin on Harry. Goes in kind of a funny direction at the end, but the 1st half is good for a laugh.

by **Rev_Beezer** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:27:04

I can't believe this. I just got to Las Vegas, where we're staying for a week for a friend's wedding. I just heard from my mother-in-law.

I don't feel like having vacation right now.

I'm about to call my friend who is getting married. He's a huge Phillies fan, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is going to put him down too. I remember Jim and I waiting outside of a game, and Harry signed my Cooperstown Collection hat and Jim's ticket, and Jim said, "I just had to say something to him so that he could talk back to me with that voice."

Michelle and I saw Harry at the Crosscutters Banquet in January. I didn't think he looked good then, but hoped it was something minor, and Harry himself said he had a cold.

RIP, Harry. Phillies games aren't going to be the same now.

by 1 » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:35:33

yesterday's game is being replayed on CSN now. you may want to record this one, folks.

by gr » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:38:00

i'm so upset. i just wrote a 4 paragraph post and the internet ate it.

recap version:

1. perfect new banner. love it.

2. traveling, landed in omaha, found out via text from Tom from Balls Sticks & Stuff. went downtown, walked into a bar to watch the game. utley jersey on the wall. there's a phillies bar in omaha.

3. the two things responsible for me being a phillies fan are my dad and harry. i can distinctly remember both from an early age.

4. harry and merrill reese are the two best broadcasters in my book. sure, vin scully is cool and i'm biased, but how lucky we are to have/had so many games brought to us by such voices.

HtK RIP.

by **Rev_Beezer** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:46:53

What do we do? I'm guessing a memorial service will be held at some point. I don't know, I have no thoughts right now that re coherent.

by **CalvinBall** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 19:52:07

Reading through this thread made me cry. Listening to the radio on the way to and from baseball practice today made me cry. I had no idea I could get this upset over someone I had never met.

There isn't much more I can say that hasn't already been said. Harry you will be missed.

by **LongDrive** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 20:41:55

I'm CRUSHED!

:cry:

by **Philly the Kid** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 21:24:03

Something about Baseball, every ST and new season - the ole "Spring Hopes Eternal stuff..." you sort of just expect guys like Whitey and Harry to just - always be there. I've been gone from Phila. for a long time and so my access has been intermittent, but it really was special to hear Harry call that final pitch for the WFC's last fall. It always felt weird without Whitey, they were such a "Team", like tom without jerry -- its harder and harder to find those classic voices anymore. By Saam, Bill Campbell, John Facenda on NFL Films -- And to find guys who so much enjoyed working together and had fun and made it fun for the fans through many a long season.

And for guys at my stage of life, you realize that nothing stays the same forever, count your blessings and sieze the moment. My own pops is 72 now and one can take nothing for granted.

you will be missed Harry K, an entire city thanks you for your contribution you were a part of our summer, a constant, something comforting and re-assuring and we all give a moment of silence as we wish for you to always --

rest in peace....

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R.I.P. Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

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