NEW YORK - In an anonymous wooden locker stall in the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field, a familiar blue blazer was draped on a hanger. Underneath it sat an equally familiar pair of white shoes.
The ensemble is one that Harry Kalas made famous, and the Phillies are now using them to honor the legendary broadcaster, giving the "uniform" its own stall in visiting clubhouses, and displaying it in the dugout during each home game.
"As [Phillies president] David Montgomery said, if this was a player or a coach, the guys would want to hang his jersey up," said Frank Coppenbarger, the Phillies' director of team travel and clubhouse services, who is in charge of transporting the items on the road. "So that's Harry's jersey. That's his uniform. I think that's a good way of putting it. That's how people remember him."
According to Coppenbarger, the story goes like this:
A group of players, spearheaded by centerfielder Shane Victorino, approached him about obtaining the blazer and shoes, Kalas' trademark throughout his 39 years as a Phillies broadcaster. Coppenbarger contacted Kalas' family, who agreed to provide them. The homemade memorial started in the wake of Kalas' death due to heart disease last month and will continue for the rest of the season. Coppenbarger arranged for a hook to be drilled into the wall of the Phillies dugout at Citizens Bank Park. During home games, the blazer and the shoes greet players as they approach the bat rack. When Coppenbarger can find a convenient place to hang the blazer on the road, he does so. When he can't, like last night at Citi Field, they remain in the locker.
Manager Charlie Manuel said he appreciates the gesture.
"I think it's a way of showing our appreciation and our respect for Harry," he said.
Consider it a retired jersey. *
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