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Kalas to be inducted into Wall of Fame

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25 comments

Kalas to be inducted into Wall of Fame

POSTED: Thursday, May 28, 2009, 2:24 PM

Daily News staff

The Phillies announced that Harry Kalas will be inducted posthumously into the team’s Wall of Fame on Aug. 7, at Citizens Bank Park before a game against the Florida Marlins.

“When we started the Wall of Fame in 1978, the intent was to honor the great players in our history,” team president David Montgomery said in a statement. “We believe it is fitting to make an exception because Harry deserves to be remembered along with some of the greatest names in our history. He is indeed a Phillies icon.

“Being a Wall of Famer is our organization’s highest honor. There’s no doubt Harry should receive such recognition,” said Montgomery.

During his Phillies career, Kalas broadcast 6,037 games. Kalas was inducted into the broadcasters’ wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 when he received the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award, given to a broadcaster who has made “major contributions to baseball.”

The Wall of Fame display is part of the Memory Lane section of Ashburn Alley.

Wall of Famers who are expected to participate in the ceremonies include Robin Roberts (first inductee, 1978), Jim Bunning (1984), Steve Carlton (1989), Mike Schmidt (1990), Dick Allen (1994), Greg Luzinski (1998), Garry Maddox (2001), Tony Taylor (2002), Bob Boone (2005) and Dallas Green (2006). Kalas broadcast games involving all of these players.

To read our earlier post about the Phillies' potential for a trade, click here

25 comments

Comments (25)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:29 PM, 05/28/2009

a fitting gesture. Harry will always hold a special place in my heart. He was the voice of my childhood.

— Ryan

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:39 PM, 05/28/2009

Very classy and very appropriate.

— KarenA

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:58 PM, 05/28/2009

Still can't believe he's gone :(

— america

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:06 PM, 05/28/2009

There should be a statue . Just like the one of Ernie Harnwell (?) at Detroit's new ballpark . Harry deserves one .

— Joe R.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:10 PM, 05/28/2009

Harry was great. But I think this is going a little too far.He has a restaurant named after him and the TV broadcast booth is named after him. I think the Wall of Fame should be kept for players and coaches. The Phillies want to honor Harry further perhaps they should start a Harry Kalas scholarship for a student majoring in Communications. Once a year at a home game the Phillies present the schollarship to the winner. Have them throw out the first pitch .

— jmagee1202

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:16 PM, 05/28/2009

cool. i'll be there.

— mcsideburns

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:18 PM, 05/28/2009

The phillies always do a great job of handling ceremonies and their own. im sure a statue or another honor will probably be in place by next season, if not sooner. another aspect of CBP we'll love

— wearethechampions

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:22 PM, 05/28/2009

A fitting tribute to a great man. However, not to be picky, but being put on the wall of fame is not the organizations highest honor, having a number retired is..... I know Harry didn't have a number, but they should slap a big old "K" up next to 1, 14, 20, 32, and 36.

— vetlincbank