Viewing at stadium puts Kalas in good company
Legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas will join rare company with tomorrow's memorial service at Citizens Bank Park.
According to research by the Baseball Hall of Fame, Babe Ruth and Jack Buck are the only other men to have their caskets displayed at a major league stadium.
In August 1948, Ruth laid in state at Yankee Stadium with thousands of fans filing past to honor him before his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
In June 2002, more than 10,000 people paid tribute to Buck, the longtime St. Louis Cardinals announcer, for nearly 5 hours at Busch Stadium.
According to the Hall of Fame, a funeral for Russ Hall, a former big-leaguer and scout, was held in July 1937 at home plate of Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, home of the Pacific Coast League team. It was unclear from news accounts whether the casket was on the field.
In February, the Colorado Rockies held a memorial service at Coors Field for Ted Uhlaender, a former major league outfielder and San Francisco Giants executive. The service was not on the field.
The Hall of Fame said it is possible there are others.
Beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow, on a first-come, first-served basis, fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects on the field to Kalas, whose casket will be behind home plate. The start time of the memorial tribute program has been moved back to 1:30 p.m.
At 12:45, all fans in attendance will be directed to seats. Beginning at approximately 1 p.m., current and former players, broadcasters, front office employees, and friends and family members will pay their final respects before the on-field tribute begins.
Fans should enter through the Third Base Gate at Pattison Avenue and Citizens Bank Way and will be asked to leave the ballpark through the First Base Gate.
The Phillies are asking that if fans choose to bring flowers or other mementos, that they be left in the area of the Mike Schmidt statue before fans enter the ballpark.
Parking will be free. Fans are encouraged to park in the lots on the west side of the ballpark, located on the site of the former Veterans Stadium. Limited concession stands will be open.
All fans will receive a commemorative program, an 8 x 10 photograph of Kalas and a poem he wrote in 2002 for his Hall of Fame induction.
Tomorrow's tribute will air on Comcast SportsNet beginning at noon and air again at 10 p.m. CSN also will replay tonight's game with the pregame tribute at 3 p.m. tomorrow. *
