Memories of Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas was a legend in this town and around the sports world.

Take a look at some of the memories shared by everyone from ballplayers to politicians.

Phillies President and CEO David Montgomery: “There are no words to express the sadness that the entire Phillies organization is feeling with the news about Harry’s passing. Harry was the voice of the Phillies, but he was also our heart and soul. He loved our game and called it like none other.”

Phillies Chairman Bill Giles: “Baseball broadcasters become an integral part of baseball fans’ families. They are in the homes of fans every day for the entire season. No one will ever be able to match the joy Harry and Richie Ashburn brought to our fans for all those years. He had a great voice, understood and loved the game, and loved people. That’s why I brought him here in 1971.” 

 Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell: "I am shocked and saddened by Harry Kalas' untimely and unexpected passing. He was a Philadelphia institution who made the game for countless fans."

Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball: “Major League Baseball has lost one of the great voices of our generation. Baseball announcers have a special bond with their audience, and Harry represented the best of baseball not only to the fans of the Phillies, but to fans everywhere.”

Senator Arlen Specter: "As the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, Harry Kalas was everyone's friend in this region. His incisive commentaries will be sorely missed."

ESPN writer and Philly guy Jayson Stark: "Harry Kalas was baseball in Philadelphia for Millions of people and the thought of watching Phillies games without that voice is unimaginable for me."

Hall of Fame Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt: "His voice will resonate in my mind the rest of my life. I will never be called ‘Michael Jack’ again without seeing his smile."

Fromer-Phillie Greg Luzinski: “In my mind he was the Philadelphia Phillies. I’ve never heard a voice like his and I never will again. He was not only a great person, but a great friend.”

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins remembered Kalas fondly.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter: "Over the years, the Phillies were sometimes up and often down. Players and managers came and went, but the one constant in the life of a Phillies fan was the authoritative voice of Harry Kalas, the voice of the Phillies.
Many of us grew up with Harry. He was one of the most imitated sports announcers in Philadelphia history. The only Philadelphia voice that compares was the great John Facenda. But with Harry, we did not just depend on his rich, deep and friendly voice. We parsed his comments for the insider’s view of the team’s fortunes. He called a game with an economy of words, never putting himself in front of the action or the story. He was a living sports legend and though his voice has fallen silent, we’ll always hear him, when an opponent swings and misses, when a Phillie hits a homerun and when the team wins its next World Series."

NBC10 Political Analyst (and huge Kalas fan) Steve Highsmith: "The passing of Harry Kalas hurts. Fans and friends feel empty. There will long be a void. We have lost the voice of the Phillies and a lead vocal in the soundtrack of Philadelphia. With each steady, full-bodied word, Harry made us feel good. A whole world grew. Green grass, a shoe brushing dirt from the mound, the crack of a bat, hot dogs, family, warm sun and sometimes, the hint of a fragrant cigar. He brought vibrant images to radio and texture to television. Harry loved the fans and respected colleagues. He was always glad to see you. He was kind and his presence gave each event he would emcee or attend the weight it deserved. The annual honoring of veterans outside the Court House in Media is a great example. We thank you Harry Kalas and we'll miss you dearly. Together now with Whitey, imagine what games will now be heard Heaven."

Fans have gathered on Facebook to share memories of Kalas.

"[He] is in our hearts forever," said Denise from Wilmington, Del.

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