Harry Kalas, Voice of the Phillies, Dies

Harry Kalas, the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, died Monday, April 13, 2009. The Philadelphia broadcaster passed out in a press box at Nationals Park. He was transported to GW Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Kalas was 73 years old.

Kalas, who has broadcast for the Phillies since 1971, had missed most of spring training after what the team called a "minor medical procedure" in February. As of yet, the cause of Kalas' collapse and subsequent death have not been released. It is not known whether his February surgical procedure contributed in any way to his death.

Kalas was well known for his famous "Outta here!" call during Phillies ballgames. He was also a narrator for NFL Films, and did voiceovers for Chunky Soup commercials. But beyond these accomplishments, he was one of the best known voices in baseball commentary. His voice possessed the resonance of a preacher, and the clear, bright excitement that spoke for any sports fan. He represented the excitement of all Phillies' fans; but more, he represented much of the love of the game for all baseball fans, regardless of team affiliations.

Kalas, according to Philly.com , had a voice many Philadelphians and Phillies fans grew up with. According to Mayor Nutter, his death marks "a very sad day for Philadelphia and the region."

"The absolute one constant with the Phillies was Harry Kalas," Nutter said.

Though many fans never met Kalas, hearing his voice during a Phillies' game seemed equivalent to hearing the familiar voice of a family member. His death has shaken many fans and colleagues as the loss of a close loved one.

Fans are not the only ones mourning the loss of Kalas. According to a Washington Post article , team president David Montgomery said of Kalas' passing, "We lost our voice today." Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig referred to Kalas as "one of the great voices of our generation." Even the media was shaken up by the announcement of Kalas' passing.

Kalas received the Ford C. Frick Award for his contribution to baseball in 2002. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame that same year. Kalas was entering the final year of a three-year contract to announce for the Phillies. He was scheduled to announce the Phillies' game against the Washington Nationals on the evening of April 13. The game is set to go on as scheduled. Mayor Nutter has stated that for the time being, no decision has been made on how to honor the broadcasting legend, though preliminary discussions regarding such an honor have begun.

Sources:

Philadelphia Inquirer Staff, "Phils announcer Harry Kalas dies" , Philly.com

Tracee Hamilton, "Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dies at 73" , Washington Post