Phillies smoke cigarette in dugout as pre-game tribute to Harry Kalas
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Phillies smoke cigarette in dugout as pre-game tribute to Harry Kalas
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
This just in. . .
One of the coolest tributes I have heard of thus far took place in the Phillies dugout prior to their 9-8 win over the Washington Nationals today. Several Phillies, including center fielder Shane Victorino, first baseman Ryan Howard and reliever Scott Eyre, lit up a cigarette and passed it around in honor of Kalas, whose smoking habit was almost as legendary as his play-by-play calls.
Victorino said the tribute, which was captured by television cameras, was a fitting one.
"I asked for it and a couple of other guys thought it would be cool to do," he said. "It was like, why not? So we called who we could -- I forget who had 'em, but we got 'em.
"I just thought, what did you always see him doing, other than broadcasting or being with his family? It's an HK thing, you know? It's so sad. Just sad."
Great tribute. They aren't doing pro-smoking ads, they're doing something that Harry was known for and that Harry would have probably gotten a big kick out of.— Wissinoming- Philadelphians are so annoying sometimes. It was one 5 second clip. Must be nice when you all walk on water. Always have to complain about something, don't you? Go back to your miserable lives.— duffers
Comment removed.- Obama just announced that he will tax each player $100 per puff.— Charlie Mustgo
- Remember Harry grew up with smoking like I did. Everyone smoked in his life. He's the last of his generation. Give him a break. It's what made him happy it's what he knew. A smoke and a cold one.— bossrjc
- charliemustgo must go. Fools like you just can't wait for any excuse to throw up your GOP garbage, can you? Such a pity not to have a life. RIP, Harry. Whenever I see a fluffy white cloud over the Park, I'll think of you and your cigars with Whitey and his pipe.— mike l
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- Harry lived hard, and he died quick, The man did it his way, I really wish I could slap the sh i t out of the people taking trash about the players tribute, you know what stop trying to advance your causes and take it as it was a tribute to a great man. I will always remember my days growing up when I wasn't old enough to watch the end of the games and especially during the west coast trips I would fall asleep to his voice. I met him once in Pittsburg outside the stadium, there were 40 people calling his name and he stoped and said hi to all of them including myself and my wife. God Bless Harry Kalas, I hope him and Whitey are calling a Babe Ruth home run as we speak.— dc4183
- dear Lord there are some humorless ninnies on here - get a life...those guys were trying to do something nice.— jamesiri
- c'mon people...i'm no fan of smoking or athletes promoting it, but this was a tribute to a close friend that had just passed away. harry would have been proud— springsteen1
- He had 73 great years, what a legend— furio
- Stop hating and start celebrating the life of Harry Kalas. He loved us all and we all loved him. Can we stop the complaining at least for one day? Don't judge how others pay tribute to a great man. Everybody mourns in their own way.— JosepherKelly
- Um - Bad Form - not the message the Phillies should be sending to kids, even if it was a tribute to Harry. God Bless him, but if Harry was still a chain smoker at 73, he is lucky to have lived as long as he did - it is not a habit that needs to be honored by the Phillies.— flyersfan74
- I'm with the_other_craig. I used to smoke socially; now I hate it. Dude used to spit with a wad of gum in his cheek that was so distended from chew it looked like a pita. New testament - I smoke 'em, he smokes 'em. If that's too bad then all I can say is, "World Utley Champions"— Fandink
