Share your memories
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Share your memories
Andy Martino
Please feel free to use this space to share your memories of Harry Kalas, and also to email me at amartino@phillynews.com if you had a personal encounter with Harry and would like to tell that story. It was a great honor to work in proximity to Harry, and a deep disappointment that the time I had to do so was brief. Our Jim Salisbury has been in D.C. while I've been on an airplane back from Denver, and will continue to bring coverage to you via the web and tomorrow's newspaper.
Comments (31)
I remember that Harry arrived the same year as Veterans Stadium. The Vet got old, went out of style, and needed to go. Not Harry. If only he could have stayed forever. It doesn't seem possible that he's gone. And it didn't seem possible that last October could mean even more to us than it already did.— wooderice- For anybody lucky enough to have participated in the Phillies Phantasy Camp in Clearwater, there was a very special treat awaiting them upon their arrival at the Carpenter Complex on the first day. Harry the K recorded every camp member's name, along with his (or her) hometown on tape, which was played on the loudspeakers as the campers came in. For all the thrills and great calls Harry made during his career, there was nothing for me quite like hearing him announce my name. When I went to the Camp in 2003, they gave each of us a talking Harry Kalas doll (Phils Win! It's Outta Here! Struck Him Out!) - now a more prized possession than ever before. Harry, we'll miss you.— gbdash
- I'm 36 and a life-long Phillies fan. I've never heard a game (save a few when Harry was out for health reasons, etc.) that wasn't called by Harry. He was so permanent, so enduring...a constant in a world that moves entirely too quickly today. I feel like I've lost a conduit to a better time. Last summer, as a gift, I sent my father-in-law and husband on the Phillies' road trip to Chicago. They had brunch with the broadcasters, including Harry the K. My husband walked into the brunch to find it crowded, long lines at the buffet, etc. He was getting a little irritated when Harry got in line behind him. My husband jokingly asked him how many years you have to put in before they move you to the front of the line. Harry just chuckled, shook his head and said, 'Oh no'. From the other stories, I get the impression that this reaction was vintage Harry. During the remainder of the brunch, he answered countless questions, shared stories, and gave my husband memories that will last forever. My husband and father-in-law agreed that the trip was a once in a lifetime event, and now the memories are even sweeter. For 36 summers, thank you Harry.— unclecharlie
- To me, Harry and His Whiteness WERE the voices of Phillies baseball and always will be. I grew up listening to both of them with my dad, and remember with giddiness the day our birthday messages were announced on air. I always were so impressed with Harry and Whitey, not only for their wonderful on-air chemistry, but that they both seemed to be genuine, wonderful men. Harry the K, I will miss you so much! I hope you, Whitey and Tug are toasting the Phils in that big broadcast booth in the sky. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels today. Miss you! Love from Angel and her dad— flipzip
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- One of my most cherished Baseball memories: I was in a contest in the mid-eighties where we had to imitate Harry Kalas calling a Michael Jack Schmidt Homerun. Five of us were picked as finalists after making the call on a radio show. Between games of a Phillies-Pirates September doubleheader they drove us out from the bullpen to home plate in a Limo. Our names were displayed on the big scoreboard at Vet Stadium. We did our homerun call live and the crowd applause chose the winner. The winner got to call an inning of the second game in the broadcast booth with Harry and Richie Ashburn and won a pair of season tickets for the following season. The four losers got a giftpack of that season's giveaway items. The winner was absolutely awesome and blew the crowd away and truly deserved it. It wasn't me. It was a great experience nonetheless. Harry was the Best.— BaseballSteve
- With all the memories of Harry's great calls with that great voice, I'd like to share a memory when he was speechless. I don't remember all the details perfectly, but it was one of those mid-Seventies Eastern Championship seasons. The Phils had a season-ending doubleheader in Montreal, with Phils needing one victory to clinch the championship. They won the first game and the second game (played by all second stringers) was stopped by a major rain delay. In the midst of the delay, when Kalas was basically saying this game is over as it was meaningless, the TV crew (falsely)told him, the telecast was in a "game delay". The look of consternation on Harry's face was priceless, and his voice speechless, as he had fallen for the gag. Richard Lichty, Hatfield, PA— Richard J Lichty
- I was 9 years old down the stretch in 1980 and one of the very first calls I remember was a late season, Friday night game against the Expos that I heard on my dad's little portable radio. Bake McBride hit a Hr to win the game and put the Phils up 1 1/2 games in the divison. I still remember it and have heard it since on highlights from 1980: "Long drive deep right field, outta here! Ballgame's over, Phillies win 2-1, Bake McBride a home run!! Phillies win 2-1, lead the east by a game and a half!!" And Richie was in the background with his "OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!" Brings chills to me just typing it!— giamatt
- I was introduced to baseball as a nine year old in 1971. The timing couldn't have better,as, that was the year the Philadelphia area was delivered the gift of "the voice". I have been so spoiled for all these years, learning the wonderful game of baseball by listening to Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. When Whitey left us, it was as though I lost a Grandfather, and the day I heard of his death was the only time I ever cried due to the death of a public figure. Now that we have lost Harry as well, it makes me realize how great we've had it for the past 38 years, and for that, I am thankful. It is true that Philly fans are the most knowledgable fansin the country, and that is because we have had the privilege of sitting at the knee of the greats, like Gene Hart, Merrill Reese and Harry Kalas. I will forever remember Harry as a main reason I love baseball as much as I do. You will be missed. Rest in peace.— Stormy602
- I have listened to the Phils since before I can remember. My father would have the AM radio tuned to the game - be it in the house or the car. I carry on that tradition. He was the voice of summer – whether working in the yard, relaxing on the deck or driving home from work. Watching the games as well - Harry was and will always be the best broadcaster. But beyond that - he was an awesome human being. I had the great pleasure of meeting him once. I was working for the Red Cross in Philly and he was presenting at the Citizen of the Year breakfast honoring Bill Giles. Even though Harry was the more recognizable celebrity, he never took the focus away from Bill's award. Better still, a group of us approached for autographs. We go so much more. Sure, he signed our hats, shirts, etc. - but he took the time to talk with us too. He commented how proud we must be to work for such a good organization that did so much for people. How amazing is that? One of the biggest stars we would ever meet making us feel important. A person like that is rare, no matter the stature. To have someone of his prominence be that much a gentleman is an absolute treasure - one to be truly missed. Good bye, Harry.— JohnDStocker
- As a Dodgers fan living in New Jersey I have often tuned into Phillies broadcasts to get a little extra time with my team. Despite this and the limited time that I spent with Harry and also Whitey Ashburn, I became quite fond of both men. When Richie passed in 1997, I was shocked at how hard that hit me and how saddened I was. Yesterday was another very tough day. I certainly appreciated how fair both men were to the opposing team, a pair of classy gents. I wasn't sure if this story was appropriate today, but after reading the article entitled Harry's Favorite Whitey Story, I guess I can tell this one. One day while listening to a Phils telecast I heard Harry ask Whitey about baseball superstitions concerning batters on a hot streak. Harry asked Ashburn if he ever took part in such, doing things like continually wearing the same socks or underwear or even sleeping with his bat as Harry had heard that some had done. Richie responded quickly saying, "Oh yes Harry, I slept with a lot of old bats in my time." I remember the great repartee between this two and Harry's special way of saying things. Often I remember Harry announcing Mike Schmidt's approach to the batter's box by saying here comes Schmidt, Michael Jack. This one stuck in my mind as it reminded me of another Philly legend, the incredibly talented singer Eddie Fisher, or as I later found out someone who might more properly be introduced as Fisher, Edwin Jack.— MikeDudnikov
- I am 42. I've been following the Phils for about 35 years. The earliest players I can remember following are Montanez, Cash, Tayolor, Lonborg, Ruthven, Garber, as well as Schmidt, Bowa, Luzinski, Carlton, and the rest. Anyway, following the Phils back then meant listening on the radio almost exclusively, which in turn meant Harry and Whitey. For many years, Harry and Whitey were my gateway to the Phils. They provided me with what was for all intents and purposes the only access I had to my heroes. Seven days a week for six months each year, year after year on the radio, the game was what they told me it was. I spent countless hours visualizing in my mind what they were describing. Even though I wasn't watching the games, I saw every one of them. I trusted them with my love of the game and that trust could not have been placed in better hands. With all the tv networks, websites, reporters, and 24/7 coverage, it must be difficult for a young fan to understand the deep connection to a particular broadcast tandem like Harry and Whitey, much less actually form that connection. I count myself among the fortunate ones who were brought into the fold at a young age and had their passion for the Phils and the game of baseball nurtured by them. It was tough after Whitey died in 1997, but Harry was still there so I still had that connection. Now with Harry gone, that tie to my youth is broken. I'll always have the love for the Phils and for the game that they helped to foster. However, I'll always be just be a bit sad that they will no longer be a part of it.— bski
- Too many memories for this space to do THE MAN justice. "Number 500", "This lovable bunch of throwbacks", "High hopes", "2008 World Champions of baseball", don't even scratch the surface. Harry, you meant so much to so many and will be missed(just like Whitey)everytime I watch the Fightin's for the rest of my life. Thank you for all the great calls, whether in the back yard with dad, at work, in the car on the way to the shore, or with my own son. There'll never be another like you.— joeydub
- 4/14/2009'.-my;first-phillies'-memories,like most of the philly area phillies'-fans i;was brought up with the fightins'.[phillies]. i;can still remember being around the house.'n'. backyard.'n'. listening to the fightins'[phillies]. with my; dad.'n'. or watching them. i was in that early.[70s'.era]..'n'. i;was just only ten or 11 years old.'n'. just starting to play ball.[as the saying goes]. early 70s'.1973'.-ta-1974'.'n'.[harry the k; was on the tube or the radio].[whatever].— TGP63
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