Friends, Fans and Family shared memories of the great Harry Kalas at a special memorial service Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.
Kalas touched three groups within the Phillies family -- fans, players and the front office, said Phillies President and CEO David Montgomery.
All those groups were given a chance to let their voices be heard Saturday.
Politicians, current/former Phillies and family member were among the speakers who voiced their memories of the Phillies "Voice."
But this ceremony was really all about the fans -- just ask Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer who grew up in the Philly suburbs.
"As all of you, I'm a Phillies fan who is feeling a tremendous loss today," said Moyer.
But, Moyer is also a player.
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"In 1986 I made my major league debut against the Phillies and the first thing I could think of was that Harry Kalas would be saying my name on the radio," said the Phillies' lefty.
The radio is a place where so many recalled H.K.
"He was always there -- in the car, sitting on a beach, ducking out of a wedding reception to get a quick update of the score, hiding under the covers with a portable radio so our parents couldn’t hear it…he was always there," said Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell.
"[Kalas] could make us laugh, could make us cry... he taught us to love the game," Rendell, a livelong Philly sports fan, said.
Kalas called 6,162 Phillies games during his Hall of Fame career, said Rendell.
The player with the closest affiliation to Kalas is Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Kalas gave Schmidt his nickname, "Michael Jack."
"Most important is Harry's legacy -- it's a simple legacy... it's not the voice that will ring in our ears or the 40 years of work... it was because everyday Harry made people happy... infected us -- he made us feel good," said Schmidt.
Kalas died earlier in the week while preparing to announce a Phillies game in Washington, D.C. He was 73 years old.
Harry the K was more than just baseball -- he was the voice of NFL Films for nearly 40 years.
"If its true that a man lives as long as people remember... well look at this turnout. We know Harry Kalas will be with us forever," said NFL Films' Steve Sabol.
Rich Ashburn, the son of Kalas' old broadcast partner, friend and Phillies Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn, read a poem that his mother Lisa wrote about Harry. A fitting tribute after Kalas read poems he wrote for the Ashburn family after their times of need.
Here is the a snippet of the poem.
Harry the K
His voice would melt butter
There could be no other
To replace our Harry the K.
He was a kind man
Would engage any fan
And never turn someone away.
He had a great smile
And plenty of style
High Hopes was his motto and song.
As he’d shout "outta here"
We’d all stand and cheer
To know that the ball is long gone.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter summed up the life of Kalas perfectly.
"His voice may have left us but Harry Kalas will never be out of here."
Feel free to include your own Kalas memories below.
