'We Lost Our Voice Today'
Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, who punctuated innumerable home runs with his "Outta here!" call, died Monday after being found passed out in the broadcast booth before a game against the Washington Nationals. He was 73.
"We lost our voice today," team president David Montgomery said, his voice cracking. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."
Kalas, who turned 73 on March 26, has broadcast Phillies games since 1971. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.
Goveror Rendell's statement:
“I am shocked and saddened by Harry’s untimely and unexpected passing. He was a Philadelphia institution who made the game for countless fans. The entire professional baseball family is the less with his loss, and I offer my sincere condolences to the Kalas family.”
Senator Specter's statement:
"As the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, Harry Kalas was everyone's friend in this region. His incisive commentaries will be sorely missed."
For more on this story, go to philly.com.
On a personal note: The first Phillies game I ever saw in person -- which turned me into a Phillies fan -- was in 1971, which means Harry Kalas was the announcer the entire time I've liked the team. (By the way, the score was Phillies 11 San Diego 0. Greg Luzinski and Mike Scmidt both hit home runs. Wayne Twitchell was the pitcher.)
"We lost our voice today," team president David Montgomery said, his voice cracking. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."
Kalas, who turned 73 on March 26, has broadcast Phillies games since 1971. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.
Goveror Rendell's statement:
“I am shocked and saddened by Harry’s untimely and unexpected passing. He was a Philadelphia institution who made the game for countless fans. The entire professional baseball family is the less with his loss, and I offer my sincere condolences to the Kalas family.”
Senator Specter's statement:
"As the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, Harry Kalas was everyone's friend in this region. His incisive commentaries will be sorely missed."
For more on this story, go to philly.com.
On a personal note: The first Phillies game I ever saw in person -- which turned me into a Phillies fan -- was in 1971, which means Harry Kalas was the announcer the entire time I've liked the team. (By the way, the score was Phillies 11 San Diego 0. Greg Luzinski and Mike Scmidt both hit home runs. Wayne Twitchell was the pitcher.)
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