Remembering Harry Kalas. . .
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Remembering Harry Kalas. . .
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I'll start. Feel free to chime in.
There was a station that broadcasts out of Scranton -- probably still does -- called 590-WARM. Growing up, it was my only link to Major League Baseball. The Poconos are a vast place, far less populus than they are today, and we lived about six miles in either direction from the closest cable line. That meant either a cable bill of several hundred dollars, or a roof-top antennae and fuzzy picture. My parents chose the fuzzy picture.
That left radio as the chief option for all things baseball. The Phillies, apart from their run in 1993, weren't very good. Better yet, they stunk. Yet there was still something special about flipping on the radio in the bedroom or on the dashboard of the family mini-van and hearing Kalas' deep voice crackle over the AM airwaves.
There are a lot of people in Philadelphia who knew Harry the man better than I. But I think I speak for most of the metro-area in saying that we all had wonderful relationship with that voice.
I can't believe what just happened... One minute we’re are talking about Stairs being one of our heroes and another one just left us… Our lost is God’s gain. Heaven will now have another angelical voice. Vaya con Dios, Harry!— EL Zorro- harry, YOU - were - the - man. rest in peace— phils93
- I remember how long it took to get over Whitey Ashburn not being part of the radio broadcasts and TV telecasts. I can't imagine watching a game without Harry calling the play-by-play. There's a hole in my heart right now. Me and a buddy have a fantastic Harry the K story, but too long to share here. The only thing that makes me feel better is that at least Harry got to see the Phils win the Championship again before his passing. We'll never forget you Harry and all the fantastic calls. I'm sure Harry and Whitey are calling a heck of a game up in heaven right now!!— mbegatto
- End of an era. You'll be missed.— Philth
- An Icon! His voice can never be silenced. Time to rest, Harry. You wll be remembered always.— zampmj
- Well put Murphy. While not everyone knew the man, we still knew the voice. Afternoon BBQs with the radio on and Harry's voice in the background meant that summer had arrived. At least now, Harry is finally with this friend Whitey.— MH
- I, like many, have never known Phillies Baseball without Harry and I never thought it would start like this. RIP Harry— wtphillies
Comment removed.- Golden Pipes and Heart...Whitey and Harry calling a Sunday twin bill, now that's heaven..— robinlupe
- irreplaceable. RIP, Harry.— pringleschief
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- SWING AND A LONG DRIVE... DEEP LEFT CENTER FIELD... WATCH THAT BABY!... OUTTA HEEERE... HOME RUN... MICHAEL JACK SCHMIDT!!!— kcullinan
- As sad and sudden as this is let's put into perspective how some things did work out for Harry. He got to make one of the most memorable calls of strike 3 of the 2008 World Series. And Harry threw out the first pitch last Wednesday, his last Phillies home game. I'm certainly going to miss his voice, but he found a way to go out on top.— craigkmg
- COMCAST NEEDS TO REPLAY THE BROADCAST OF TODAY'S 2:30PREGAME AND 3PM GAME AT SOME POINT SOON. IM TRAPPED AT WORK IN TEARS OVER THIS. HELP US OUT MURPH AND MAKE SURE THIS GETS DONE.— drumminge6
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