A Very Sad Day for Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their soundtrack today. For 38 years, Harry Kalas' expressive baritone was their signature voice. It heralded the club's renaissance under general manager Paul Owens in the 1970s. It was heard on each and every one of Mike Schmidt's 548 home runs. It brought home the word picture of the disappointment of playoff losses, the triumph of 1980 (except, due to contractual obligations, the World Series -- the first ever won by the club), the Wheeze Kids, "Lefty" Steve Carlton, the rowdy bunch that won again in 1993, a very disappointing dozen-year-long drought and a recent, magical revival.
Harry arrived in Philadelphia in 1971, as Veterans Stadium opened. The once state-of-the-art bowl was "the" place to be during the '70s, but over time aged badly, and by its 30th birthday was beginning to crumble. Harry and the ballclub moved into Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
And fortunes slowly but surely improved -- a fan-friendly home, a likable young core of stars and last October, Harry was on the radio to call the action, including its dramatic conclusion, for the home faithful.

Paired with beloved former Phillies center fielder Richie Ashburn, they formed one of baseball's best broadcast duos for 27 seasons -- two pals who enjoyed sharing a microphone, talking baseball, talking life -- a partnership that ended with Ashburn's sudden death in New York during a road trip late in the '97 season. And today, just prior to the Phils/Nationals game in Washington came an equally shocking bulletin -- Harry collapsed preparing for the game. He was 73.
A broadcaster is sometimes considered a shill for the club. A pitchman. A carney to lure you into a show. Harry was never that. He and Rich took pride in their honestly. When the Phighting Phils were successful, they gave proper credit. But when the club was "scuffling," as Ashburn was heard to say in tougher times, they refused to gloss things over -- earning the trust of Phillies fans. Need proof? Ashburn, the speedy centerfielder from Nebraska who then spent three-and-and-a-half decades behind a Philadelphia microphone was arguably the most popular personality in franchise history. The centerfield concourse at Citizens Bank Park is named for him.
His statue is prominently displayed on Ashburn Alley.

One of the ballpark's restaurants, Harry the K's, is named for Kalas.

Harry Kalas was the resonant voice that symbolized spring and summer during the most successful era for the losingest franchise in pro sports history. Happily, he called the championship run of 2008 and got to ride a float -- he's in a grey sports jacket about five people to the right of the Phantic -- in the parade that followed the clincher.
As 2009 began, after a pair of opening defeats, things were looking up -- Sunday's game in Colorado was a come-from-behind victory. It was also the finale of his Hall of Fame career. Today's game, also a Phillies win, was called by Harry's colleagues in his memory. As they will the remainder of this season.

The voice that resonated like the Liberty Bell just won't be there to paint the word picture again.