NFL Films voice Harry Kalas Dies

[Joe Realist]

I live near Philly and love every team except the Eagles. I am a Cowboys fan first, but the Phillies lost a great one today

 

[trickblue]

I had heard he was found unconscious in the announcer booth...

He did a nice job of taking over the voice of the NFL when the great John Fucinda passed...

RIP...

 

[jackrussell]

Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dies at 73


Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas passed out in a press box at Nationals Park today and was pronounced dead at GW Hospital. He was 73.

"We lost our voice today," team president David Montgomery said, his voice cracking. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."

Nats acting GM Mike Rizzo talked to Montgomery after Kalas' collapse but there was never really a thought of canceling the game; Montgomery told Rizzo that Kalas would have wanted them to play. There will be a moment for silence for both Nick Adenhart of Hagerstown and for Kalas.

"Major League Baseball has lost one of the great voices of our generation," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "Baseball announcers have a special bond with their audience, and Harry represented the best of baseball not only to the fans of the Phillies, but to fans everywhere."

Montgomery said that Kalas was found unconscious in a broadcast booth, where he was preparing to work Monday's game against the Nationals. He was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m.

Montgomery called his condition serious at that time, and the Phillies closed the visitors' clubhouse to the media.

Kalas missed most of spring training after undergoing surgery in February. The team declined to reveal details of the surgery, saying it was a "minor medical procedure."

Kalas, who has broadcast Phillies games since 1971, was known for his distinctive "Outta here!" home run call. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame after receiving the Ford C. Frick Award in 2002. He was in the final year of a three-year contract with the Phillies. Kalas also narrated for NFL Films, broadcast Animal Planet's annual Puppy Bowl and did the voice-overs for the Chunky Soup commercials.

By Tracee Hamilton | April 13, 2009; 3:04 PM ET

LINK

It was tough to follow John Facenda, but he did a nice job.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Is that the one with the real deep voice???

 

[AmishCowboy]

Is that the one with the real deep voice???

Yes, and it's a sad day around here, I grew up in the 70's listening to Harry although I'm not a Phillies fan, his Home run calls were awesome!.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I was a HUGE Phillies fan growing up. I remember listening to Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn call games late at night when the Phils would travel to the west coast to play the Dodger or Padres.

He really was the voice of the Phillies. Gonna miss him. Glad he got to call one more Wrold Series win for the Phils last year.

So long Harry, thanks for the great memories..

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Yes, and it's a sad day around here, I grew up in the 70's listening to Harry although I'm not a Phillies fan, his Home run calls were awesome!.

I loved it when he would call a Mike Schmidt Home Run...

"Swing, and a long fly ball...deep to left field...that ball is outta here! Home Run Michael Jack Schmidt!"

 

[theebs]

He is greatness. Nfl films will never be the same now. Kalas and facenda are the voices that make the images so powerful.

Now they are both gone. Rip.

 

[dcfanatic]

I loved it when he would call a Mike Schmidt Home Run...

"Swing, and a long fly ball...deep to left field...that ball is outta here! Home Run Michael Jack Schmidt!"

R.I.P for a Philly. Kalas was a class act.

Hey Cajun, did you ever hear this?

[youtube]lKpEYMHAaOw[/youtube]

Kalas never skipped a beat, he cleaned it up for Schmidt.

The man was one of the best ever.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I always loved his one of a kind voice. It put you at ease as a listener. He was born to be a broadcaster and he will be missed.

 

[THUMPER]

He is greatness. Nfl films will never be the same now. Kalas and facenda are the voices that make the images so powerful.

Now they are both gone. Rip.

Too true. Sad to lose him.

 

[Bleu Star]

I live near Philly and love every team except the Eagles. I am a Cowboys fan first, but the Phillies lost a great one today

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. May he RIP.

 

[playmakers]

Im the same Cowboys fan first and then Flyers, Phillies and 76ers. Harry Kalas is a legend of all-time and imo a top 5 baseball announcer of all time. His voice was unique. Watching the Phillies is not going to be the same. Supposly he was even a better person.

 

[RoadRunner]

He will be missed. We all got used to him.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

R.I.P for a Philly. Kalas was a class act.

Hey Cajun, did you ever hear this?

[youtube]lKpEYMHAaOw[/youtube]

Kalas never skipped a beat, he cleaned it up for Schmidt.

The man was one of the best ever.

:laugh2:

I heard that a long while back and it's just as funny today as it was then.

Yeah, Harry was a real pro. I remember when the Phils won the series in '82 (I think) and He was calling the game with Richie Asburn and Tim McCarver. When it was over all three of them were in tears. What a great team they were.

IMO, they were the best baseball trio. But I'm biased.

 

[BulletBob]

Im the same Cowboys fan first and then Flyers, Phillies and 76ers. Harry Kalas is a legend of all-time and imo a top 5 baseball announcer of all time. His voice was unique. Watching the Phillies is not going to be the same. Supposly he was even a better person.

Ditto - on all points!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Very sad. RIP. My prayers will be with his family and friends.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

great voice

RIP

 

[Chief]

I love these old school radio guys.

Kalas was a great one. While I didn't listen to any Phillies games, I loved him on NFL broadcasts and his work with NFL Films.

Great, great voice.