Phillies announce plans for Harry tribute
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Phillies announce plans for Harry tribute
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies have announced a series of tributes to Harry Kalas for Friday night and also for the rest of the season.
Fans are urged to arrive early for the 7:05 p.m. start against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park.
According to a Phillies press release, here is what the team has planned:
* The television booth in which Harry broadcast since Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004 will be named the Harry Kalas Broadcast Booth, “That ball’s outta here!” A plaque will be hung to officially name the booth. The neighboring radio booth is named the Richie (“Whitey”) Ashburn Broadcast Booth, “This game’s easy, Harry.”
* The ceremonial first ball will be thrown by Harry’s three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane.
* Prior to the National Anthem, to be sung by Harry’s son Kane, there will be a moment of silence.
* All fans will receive an 8”x10” color photograph of Harry.
* Harry’s signature will be displayed on the field during the seven-game homestand beginning on Friday.
* Also for the seven games, a black drape will appear in front of the Phillies radio and TV booths and the Phillies flag in Ashburn Alley will be hung at half-mast.
* A video of Harry’s career will be aired on PhanaVision.
* During the seventh-inning stretch, a video of Harry singing “High Hopes” will be shown on PhanaVision. Fans will be encouraged to join in.
Other acknowledgements include:
* During the first half-inning of the game televised by Comcast Network Philadelphia (formerly CN8), there will be no announcer commentary.
* Throughout the remainder of the season, a billboard honoring Harry will be displayed on the outfield wall.
* As previously announced, an HK patch will be worn on Phillies uniforms this season.
* Throughout the 2009 season, following every Phillies home run, Harry’s legendary “Outta Here!” home run call will be played over the PA system as the Liberty Bell lights up.
Keep "High Hopes" and "Outta Here". Love it. Stay classy Philadelphia.— MTbelly- "High Hopes" is an awful song. And now that the Phillies have won the World Series, it doesn't mean as much. What would be fun if Comcast would just replay a game from the past with Whitey and Harry announcing just a routine event. It would be nice to here them do a whole game again.— Ouwachon
- Yeah, when the day comes and the Phils are in last place - nobody is going to want to listen to High Hopes 81 times a year. Its a nice tribute, but it becomes trivial with overkill.— Gary Varsho
- The Silent Inning is a Nice touch; I think everything they gave planned is great as well. I think we might see his plaque added to the Phillies Wall of Fame, but as some teams have done His name and and the Phillies "P" on the retired numbers wall; A few teams have bestowed that honor to their broadcasters before, and Harry belongs on that wall with those very select few.— TKE_535
- Well done... Too bad the Eagles couldn't pick up on some of the Phils class.— xr4tifan
