Harry Kalas Tribute: Thanks for the Memories (1936-2009)
Harold Norbert "Harry" Kalas (March 26, 1936 - April 13, 2009) was an American sportscaster, best known for his Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies. For professional football, he served as a voice-over narrator for NFL Films, a regular feature on Inside the NFL and called NFL games for Westwood One radio.
While initially meeting with a lukewarm reception due to his replacement of the popular Campbell, Kalas soon won the hearts of Phillies fans with his easy-going style, his mellow, baritone, leathery voice (which rose to great excitement upon great plays on the field or Phillies' home runs, especially in key situations), his love of the game and also his accessibility to Phillies fans, for whom he professed a strong love.
On April 8, 2009, five days before he would die in Washington D.C., the Phillies honored Kalas by having him throw out the first pitch before a game against the Braves. The first pitch was part of the pre-game ceremony in which the Phillies received their 2008 World Series Championship Rings.
Harry you will be missed forever Thanks for the Memories
Пікірлер: 238
Even though it's been 13 years it's still hard to watch Phillies baseball without Harry kalas.
Phillies baseball is missing something now. 😕 we miss you Harry. Signed every Phillies fan anywhere in the world. We love and miss you
My favorite Harry story is a true one about when 1st baseman John Kruk returned from testicular surgery. Harry told Kruk to swing at the first pitch. When the Krukker asked why, Harry said, "I don't want to be the first announcer to say, 'John Kruk has one ball'!" ~Bill S. a/k/a AshburnStadium
Listening to Phillies games just isn't the same without his voice
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
campdry oh I know right. This is one of the many reasons I never watch Phillies games on TV anymore let alone the radio. I miss him everyday! The announcers we have these days their voices stink but Harry’s never did.
@michaelmace924
4 жыл бұрын
Oftentimes I'll watch some NFL Films with Harry narrating
@juliansmith1951
3 жыл бұрын
@@michaelmace924 Harry Kalas & John Facenda are the greatest narrators at NFL films ever guaranteed Ed Sabol made the best decision ever both narrating team highlights films however John Facenda was perfect narrating super bowl highlights til 1984 Harry Kalas narrating NFL Game of the week in the mid 70s
@SAM_UL
3 жыл бұрын
Second to none
@garyclk
2 жыл бұрын
Still miss his calls he would like Harper
My earliest Phillies memory is my dad and my grandad listening to Harry and Whitey calling the game over an AM radio on our front porch. His voice still brings tears to my eyes
We were truly blessed to have Harry Kalas as the voice of our baseball team in eastern Pennsylvania. Announcers are a dying breed nowadays.
A true Phillies and broadcasting legend. There will never be another like him. Happy l lived at a time to experience his legendary run.
@Idunno-gl1wz
10 ай бұрын
I know he's always gonna be the best announcer for the Phillies but I find it crazy that he isn't known as a top 3 announcer of all time. I mean how can you top that.
RIP Harry the K. Watching the Phils will never be the same without you. You were one of a kind, you were the man.
I was thinking of Harry today for whatever reason and had to hear his voice. I love this tribute. It gives me chills every time I watch it. We miss you Harry!
He was the only reason to tune into games during those dark years.
@ralfnuggs165
8 жыл бұрын
Exactly and sarge ya know
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
Douglas Schultz I completely agree
We'll always love you HK!!! ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽💯👊🏼
That 2008 call still gives me the chills.
@steveswangler6373
4 жыл бұрын
Not only does Harry’s fall give me chills, I have to say, that was the greatest call of Chris wheeler’s career also, because he was absolutely quiet.
@LetItBe007
Жыл бұрын
I get goosebumps EVERY SINGLE TIME I listen to HK call the final out of the 2008 World Series ! I memorized that call just like I’m sure most die hard Phillies fans have as well. I’ve never missed a voice so much in my life as I have HK’s. Rest in Paradise you absolute Legend!
So happy he got to experience the Phillies' 2008 win!
I can remember Harry and Richie going back and forth in between calling the game. Legendary
Harry Kalas was undoubtedly the voice of my childhood. My earliest memories are of listening to the Phillies on the radio with my Dad. Whether I was helping him fix stuff in the house, or we were cutting and stacking firewood for winter, or just playing in my room with my Baseball cards after the sun went down, the game seemed to always be on, and it was never without Harry's unique and magical voice. The best times of all though were when those struggling late 80s Phillies teams would have a lead late in the game with a good chance to win it, although I was already in bed and sometimes asleep, my Dad would almost always come and wake me up so I could listen in with him to hear Harry call the Win!! I was always too excited to go back to sleep. I wanted so bad for them to Win and to celebrate a World Series victory with my Dad. Then in 1993 I had the best summer ever both as a 12 year old boy, playing Little League and making the All-Star team for the first and only time but better yet my Phillies were in 1st place all year having an absolutely MAGNIFICENT season. I was CERTAIN this was the year. We beat Pittsburgh late to clinch the Division and then came the NLCS against the vaunted Atlanta Braves. But I just knew that the Phillies were destined for greatness. The World Series was a roller coaster of emotions and the Blue Jay's were good. But they had it last year and this year was OURS!! I was even more convinced after Curt Schilling's complete game shutout in Game 5 at home to force a game Six. The Blue Jay's had the Series lead but The Phillies ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO GET THE WIN. I had faith. But We all know what happened. And as the Greatest, most entertaining, most endearing team I've ever seen; my all time favorite for sure; walked off the field in defeat. I just sat on my couch and cried. I certainly went through the 5 stages of grief those next few days. Nothing in my incredibly blessed life to that point had been so truly depressing and heartbreaking. We'll be back and we'll win it next year I told myself over and over again. But it just never happened. Like all teenagers, I got more and more involved in other things over the years but I will never forget how that 1993 Phillies Team made me feel. It was certainly a noted and poignant end of my childhood and beginning of my adolescence. Looking back it was such a magical time which truly cemented my love for the Phillies permanently. 2008 was Wonderful and I always have High Hopes to see them win it again. But I had since grown up (somewhat) joined the Air Force and gotten married and, unfortunately (another long story), I wasn't able to celebrate with my Dad, listening to Harry Kalas as we won it. But I'm so glad that Harry survived long enough to call the final pitch as Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske to seal the first ever Phillies WS win in my lifetime (I was born in May 1981). The next season though my Dad and I got tickets to Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park and we were there for the World Series Ring Ceremony. Such a fun time. As Phils fans, we've had it rough more often than not, and I still have High Hopes that we'll win it all again soon so I can celebrate with my Dad. But no matter what happens, I'll always be a Phillies fan for LIFE!!
Today was opening day and I missed him as much as I did in 2009 Rest In Peace Harry K
God Bless Harry Kalas...Still in shock. This fan will never listen to a phillies game the same way again. Listening to that voice at home was so soothing, nobody will ever be able to replace him! R.I.P. Harry, my thoughts and prayers are with the Kalas family!
The greatest baseball announcer in history. Yes there have been some good ones. Vince Scully, Jack Buck Sr, Keith Jackson.......but they were all 2nd to Harry. He was the greatest.
Even today with all the excitement with the Phillies I can still hear your voice Mr. Kalas …miss you ❤
GOD BLESS HARRY, RITCHIE AND ANDY. I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 57 YEARS.
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
ROBERT STACK I completely agree.
He was the voice of the NFL for my generation who only knew of Facenda from old highlights…he did all 3 of the Patriots Super Bowl team films 2001, 03 & 04
This was a very sad and tragic day for all of us Phillies fans. 10 years later I still think about him and miss his voice.
@johndolejsch5102
5 жыл бұрын
Tyler Quinn. Very true but I will say I enjoy listening to LA and Scott Franskey on the radio and I will say Tom McCarthy does a really good job on TV but nobody will ever be as good as Harry kalas and Whitey
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
John Dolejsch very true
It's amazing how baseball announcers become a backdrop to our lives. They come into our home and we feel like we know them, and when they leave us it is like losing a member of our family. Long live baseball and its announcers. And may there always be radio to bring us the sound of baseball, the cadence and rhythm, the excitement and the humour. RIP Harry Kalas, Phil Rizzutto, Mel Allen, Harry Carey, Ernie Harwell, Dizzy Dean, Red Barber, Russ Hodges...
No one ever did it better. There have been many greats and Harry was certainly among them. .. THE voice of the Phils!
I believe he is still calling the phillies games from heaven
What a legend such an iconic voice, it’s been 10 years
@wolffiegaming
5 жыл бұрын
Rip harry. Watching phils get pummeled as they mention it's the anniversary of that sad day
I was devastated learning of his passing. He was part of my childhood, teen years and adult hood. You counted on him being there every summer and he was. He made the untelevised games worth listening to on the radio, even thru some bleak years. I was so thankful he was able to call the Phillies 2008 World series victory and for him to be able to celebrate that moment. Phillies baseball has not been the same without him. I grew up with him. You truly felt like you knew him. He is missed very much!
I remember being 12 years old and hearing his voice during the highlight packages on inside the NFL. It was so perfect I thought he had to be a computer generated voice. He was truly one of a kind.
Harry was one of the biggest reasons I started following Phillies baseball. There will never be another like him.
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
Alex Tomasone me too
@jeremymacey3288
Жыл бұрын
"It's a long drive that ball's outta here"💯
Another year watching this on his birthday. Another year shedding tears.
his home run call was the best there ever was , or ever will be , period , end of story.
I never get sick of watching this collage every once and a while. Still wish Harry Kalas was calling games. Games havent been the same since and never will be
I was just at his gravesite, it has stadium chairs that you can sit in. And his marker is a big microphone, it's pretty cool. I had no idea how much impact he had in Philly until I watched this.
Wow. That VOICE! He also did voiceovers for NFL films after Facenda died. Classic.
Harry Kalas(Phillies), Mike Lange (Penguins), Myron Cope (Steelers), Fran Fisher (Penn State Football). I'm so fortunate to have been able to listen to and root for the teams of these legendary Pennsylvania Sports Broadcasters. All four are magnificent, unique, and transcendent. I'm so lucky.
My boyhood hero Harry Kalas, meeting him remains the biggest thrill of my life. My only regret never met Ritchie Ashburn. May they RIP.
My God, I starting crying when he told us he loves us.
i still miss harry so much we all do. he was the best of all time no one will ever replace you harry you were one of a kind rip
Harry is missed. I remember watching Schmitties 500th homerun. Beautiful. The games will NEVER be the same. RIP Mr. Kalas.
2 Years and it still hurts.. HK
The best ever HK forever , still brings tears
I think God needed someone to call a ballgame and no one up there was good enough. I'm happy he didn't fade away but left as quick as a line drive to left. Thanks for memories Mr. Kalas.
You would have loved this 2022 Phillies team, Harry.
i cant believer its been over 3 years harry, the games still not the same without you buddy.
We love you too Harry!... One of a kind.. Phils games will never be the same without "The Voice".
Phillies games will never be the same, RIP.
RIP HK... thanks for the memories
The soundtrack of my youth, if not my life.
Godspeed, Mr. Kalas!!! We all miss ya!
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
DocWyldeCard agreed!
watching the phillies games in the world series this year every time utley made an amazing play or hit a homerun all I could hear was Harry's voice "Chase Utley, you are the man!" R.I.P. Harry the K
Here we are 4 years later and i STILL miss this man. He was one of the best announcer's to ever call a pro sports game(s) in any sport. I am happy to say that i had the privledge of listening to Harry The K for Many MANY years calling my beloved Phillies. Its a moments that i wont forget... Not Even Four Years After His Passing! God Bless Harry, Never Forgotten Buddy!
12 years the sound of my childhood is gone,still need to hear his voice. We love you too Harry!
two days now, and the tears havent stopped. hearing all these playbacks of Harry,bring back so many memories. he was a legend,he was the voice, he was baseball! a piece of all of us is gone,it will never be the same.R.I.P. Harry the "K"
I cant believe its been a year. I just cried like a baby. R.I.P Harry We love you too
Ay. I'm a Mets fan and I didn't dislike this. Harry Kalas is one of the greatest announcers there ever was. I always thought his "outta here" calls were great. Even if it was Utley or Howard hitting the home runs against the Mets. Gotta put down your team loyalties and realize that Baseball lost a great man.
His smooth delivery on NFL Films along with John Fancinda and Phillies baseball Harry Kalas is my all time favorite Miss hearing dog Harry the K R.I.P
I am not even a Phillies fan but having lived in South Jersey I loved listening to Harry with Wheels
There is one thing Harry couldn't do - sing! ;-) His golden pipes didn't extend that far - but I (and nearly every Phillies fan) adored him anyway - because he gave his all at everything he did!
Not a phillies fan. But u folks had THE best ever! Euchre is great, caray was great, sculley is great. But HK was absolutely phenominal! I luved his calls of NFL games on westwood. Breathtaking!! Harry made a sunday afternoon (in September) game sound like the superbowl! He made inside the NFL on HBO sound like an earth-shattering event!! So miss this guy! Harry could read a phone book and make it sound interesting.
@ForeignerPhan
9 жыл бұрын
Aaron Wash Harry and Richie Ashburn (Whitey to Phillies fans) were pure gold. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried when each of them passed away. It was the end of an era which will never be duplicated.
@Mark-sj3xb
6 жыл бұрын
Love how you called Uecker "Euchre" like the card game. I always thought the game was named after him
harry kalas is the master!!
RIP my friend RIP heros get remembered but legends never die
A great voice for NFL Films after the passing of John Facenda. Harry Kalas was a class act.
I Never Had The Chance To Meet Harry Kalas But He Was a Gentlemen Outside Of Baseball For Many Phillies Fans Including Myself Go Phillies R.I.P Harry Kalas!
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
Vince Niederman wish I could’ve met him too
@juliansmith1951
3 жыл бұрын
@@carmensandiego328 I join you as well for me I ❤ listening to Harry Kalas narrating NFL films from team highlight films and hosting NFL Game of the week from the mid 70s
The only celebrity death I legitimately cried over. And I never cry when a celebrity dies
I can’t believe it’s been 10 yrs since his death never be forgotten
i hung out for about 45 minutes with Harry at the the south Philly turf club great guy down to earth guy he talks just like he's calling the game
I will be at CBP July 31 for HK day. I will never ever forget the greatest announcer ever 😢
I used to hang out with Harry before ballgames whenever the Phillies came into town. Super nice guy.
When I was a kid the most wonderful event happened when Texas got a major league baseball team. I would listen night after night to one Harry Kalas and pretty much thought all baseball announcers should sound like that. Harry was so great that when he became a Phillies announcer I became a Phillies fan. The games are not the same since Harry died.
As met fan when I think of the Phillies it's always Harry! God listening to him as a met fan makes me smile cause his calls were amazing!
I LOVE PHILADELPHIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We miss ya Harry! Wish you could be here for the Fab Four. I can only imagine what you would have to say about it..
Greatest member of the Phillies organization period. No one can ever replace him, he made the Phillies games perfect. He was perfect. He so much emotional and energy.
We miss you Harry! were going to need you tonight.. high hopes ! Go Phils !
Kalas and Ashburn were my youth. Kalas calling the 2008 World Series was the swan song of my youth. I never realized that Kalas wasn't as well known across the country as I thought. I always thought that he did NFL films and the Phillies, who doesn't know him? I don't feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for those that didn't get to experience it
I'm a 54 year old man. Just spent the last 7:19 crying.
Not a Philly fan, but his voice represents NFL Films from my childhood on. Such an iconic voice.
@magnoliamike
4 жыл бұрын
mattcain18 didn’t know he did NFL films too, now that I think I realize it now
one of the saddest days in south philly. we lost a legend.
@juliansmith1951
3 жыл бұрын
He & John Facenda were the best two narrators at NFL films both narrated team highlights when John was great at narrating super bowl highlights til 1984 Harry Kalas also great on my favorite show inside the nfl when it was on HBO plus he also was the host with Steve Sabol on NFL week in review
i was there for the jim thome 400th. 1st thing my dad and i talked about after that moment was "what did harry say? i wish we couldve heard it." its funny, one of the nicest broadcasters ever called the 400th homer of one of the nicest ballplayers ever
tear up every time I watch this
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
David Gough me too
Yes, Harry is once again with Richie "Whitey" Ashburn, in Heaven's broadcast booth. Too bad we can't get that frequency here...
"Chase utley you are the man" "There it is #500 for Michael jack Schmidt" "That ball is outta here" "We've got high hopes" & my most favorite "Swing and a miss he struck em out the Philadelphia phillies are the 2008 world champions of baseball!!!" We love and miss you hk and most importantly we will never ever forget you and your voice ❤💯🔴⚪⭕
Harry was the best!!!!
@carmensandiego328
5 жыл бұрын
T bone oh I know right! Harry was absolutely the best!!! His job as the Phillies announcer was the greatest. I wish he was still alive. The announcers we have these days their voices stink but Harry’s never did.
I got to see, and hear Harry up close, as a Giants fan in 2000, the first year of the new ballpark (then "Pac Bell Park"). I was sitting on the last row of the lower level, directly in front of the Phillies' broadcast booth. I could very faintly hear him behind me, and turned around, and he was right there. He struck me as being very casual and easy-going, like he was having a normal conversation with someone, rather than broadcasting to a million or more people in the East. One of the very best baseball play-by-play announcers there ever was.
The sounds of spring was hearing Harry K’s voice on tv and I knew summer wasn’t far behind. Thanks for the memories and I am glad you were alive for the 2008 World Series go Phils
The best always have a seat in heaven 🙏💯
I remember the day he passed away and how sick I felt.. truly the voice of philly and even till this day this hour and this minute as my eyes are getting teary I miss that mans voice and personality. Such a good with a good heart, but hes in a better place not RIP Harry
i always knew him as the voice in this is the nfl he and facenda were the best.
I'm from Media Pennsylvania and was able to place some horse bets with Harry at the OTB in Concordville and a few drinks at The Little Inn in Upper Providence. A very nice and cordial man
rip harry the k the best of all time i miss him dearly get to see him one last time on saturday
Im miss hearing his voice narrating my favorite show Inside the NFL
i teared up when they showed thome hitting his 400th home run. i remember watching it. i was only 11, i will never ever forget harry. i was born into a family that loved the phillies, i grew up listening to HK, i'm 19 and i remember him so clearly. i went to the first home game after he died, it was so surreal. i felt like i was watching a new baseball team..just wasn't the same without old harry. rest in ever loving peace, harry. we all love and miss you
How I miss the voice of summer...seems like forever since I've heard it last. The Phils tonight completed an epic comeback against the Dodgers after being down 9-2....and like so many other times in the past year, I couldn't help but wonder how Harry would've called it. I don't think I'll ever watch a baseball game again without having Harry Kalas in mind. He is not just deeply missed, he is truly remembered in every sense. We love you Harry!
I'm not a Phillies fan but thank you, Harry Kalas for those Inside the NFL/NFL Film narrations. :)
makes me so happy he saw them win 2008. the 0-2 pitch we will remember
I had to relocate when I got a new job. I could have gone to a baseball city, Boston or Philadelphia. I picked Philly after I heard Harry Kalas on the radio.
I get tears in my eyes every time I hear himself last call. We love you Harry you are truley the voice of phiadelphia.
Hee may be gone 10 years later. His. Legacy lives on
The final world series Harry saw/called in his lifetime ended with a Phillies championship. He went out on top like the legend he was.
No Harry Kalas, you are the man!