Harry Kalas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Kalas
|
|
|---|---|
Harry Kalas at the 2008 Phillies World Championship Parade
|
|
| Born |
Harry Norbert Kalas
March 26, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
| Died | April 13, 2009 (aged 73) Washington, D.C., U.S.
|
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Years active | 1962–2009 |
| Children |
|
| Awards | Ford C. Frick Award; Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, Living Legend; Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, Legacy of Excellence; Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame |
| Sports commentary career | |
| Team(s) | Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, NFL Films, Westwood One NFL Sunday Afternoon Doubleheaders, Hawaii Islanders |
| Genre(s) | Play-by-play, Sports commentator |
| Sports | Baseball, Football |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Harry Kalas (born March 26, 1936 – died April 13, 2009) was a famous American sportscaster. He was best known as the main announcer for the Major League Baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. He held this important job from 1971 until he passed away in 2009.
Kalas was also well-known for his work with the National Football League. He was the voice for many NFL Films shows, including Inside the NFL. He also called football games across the country for Westwood One radio.
Sadly, Kalas collapsed in the broadcast booth on April 13, 2009. This happened just before a Phillies game in Washington, D.C. He died shortly after.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
Harry Kalas was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a minister. Harry finished Naperville High School in 1954. He then graduated from the University of Iowa in 1959.
After college, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Hawaii. When he left the Army in 1961, Kalas started announcing minor-league baseball games. His first team was the Hawaii Islanders.
Kalas had three sons: Todd, Brad, and Kane. Todd also became a baseball announcer. He worked for the Phillies and now calls games for the Houston Astros. Kane is a professional poker player.
Harry Kalas's Professional Journey
Harry Kalas started his major-league announcing career in 1965. He joined the Houston Astros team. He called the very first game played at Houston's Astrodome stadium on April 12, 1965.
In 1971, the Philadelphia Phillies hired him. He became the master of ceremonies for the opening of Veterans Stadium that same year. After another announcer, By Saam, retired, Kalas worked with Andy Musser and Hall of Fame player Richie Ashburn.
Becoming the Voice of the Phillies
At first, some Phillies fans were unsure about Kalas. This was because he replaced a popular announcer. But Kalas quickly became very popular with fans. They loved his relaxed style and his deep, smooth voice.
His voice would get very excited during big plays or Phillies home runs. He also showed a great love for the game and for the fans.
During his time with the Phillies, he called many important games. This included six no-hit games and three World Series (in 1983, 1993, and 2008). Due to old rules, he could not call the 1980 World Series live. Local announcers were not allowed to call these games. Fans were very upset about this, and the rules were changed the next year.
Kalas also called the first game at Veterans Stadium (April 10, 1971). He called the last game there (September 28, 2003). And he called the first game at Citizens Bank Park (April 12, 2004).
In July 2008, Kalas had to take a few days off. He needed treatment for an eye problem.
On April 8, 2009, the Phillies honored Kalas. He threw out the first pitch before a game. This was part of a ceremony where the Phillies received their 2008 World Series championship rings. This was Kalas's last home game.
After Kalas's death, the Phillies visited the White House in May 2009. President Barack Obama congratulated them for their 2008 World Series win. He also spoke about Kalas, his voice, and his love for the Phillies.
Harry and Richie Ashburn
Kalas and Richie Ashburn became very popular in Philadelphia. They were also best friends. They worked together for 27 seasons. Ashburn passed away on September 9, 1997, from a heart attack. Many people believe Kalas never fully got over losing his friend. He often said he still missed Ashburn years later.
Famous Calls and Phrases
Kalas had a very famous home run call. He would say, "Swing ... and a long drive, this ball is ... outta here! Home run Ryan Howard! If it was a really big home run, he might add "deep (left center)" and say "that ball's way outta here!"
Kalas once explained that his "outta here" call started in the mid-1970s. He heard Phillies player Larry Bowa say "Wow! That's way outta here" after a huge home run. Kalas liked the sound of it and started using it himself.
Other baseball announcers have used Kalas's "outta here" call. These include Gary Cohen, Jerry Coleman, Duane Kuiper, and Terry Smith.
One of his most memorable calls was on April 18, 1987. This was when Mike Schmidt hit his 500th career home run.
In 1980, after the Phillies won the 1980 World Series, Kalas and his radio team re-created the call. This was the call he would have made when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to win the World Series. As mentioned, Kalas was not allowed to call this live.
This rule change was partly due to the strong reaction from Philadelphia fans. Kalas was still part of the Phillies' 1980 World Series celebration. He rode in the team's victory parade.
Kalas did call the 1980 National League Championship Series. However, his call of the final out was hard to hear due to another announcer's laughter.
Other Fun Facts
Kalas was known for loving the song "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra. He sang it at many events, especially during Phillies championship celebrations. After he passed away, fans at the first home game sang along to a video of Harry singing "High Hopes." This happened during the seventh-inning stretch instead of the usual "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".
Kalas also sang "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at Wrigley Field in Chicago. This was a tribute to the late Chicago Cubs announcer, Harry Caray. Kalas, who grew up near Chicago, became a big Phillies fan. He would hold the microphone out for the fans to sing "the Cubbies" in the song.
Because he lived in Hawaii, Kalas was very good at saying Polynesian names. He also liked to say certain players' names slowly and clearly. His favorite was Mickey Morandini, which he would say as "Mi-ckey Mor-an-DI-ni."
Harry Kalas and NFL Films
Kalas started working for NFL Films in 1975. He became their main voice after John Facenda passed away in 1984. He narrated highlights for Inside the NFL from 1976 until 2008. After Kalas's death, Scott Graham took over his duties for Inside the NFL.
Other Projects and Appearances
Besides his work with the Phillies and NFL Films, Kalas called many other sports. He worked for various radio networks, including Mutual Broadcasting System, CBS Radio, and Westwood One Radio. He called NFL games, MLB games, college basketball, and Notre Dame football.
His voice was also used in commercials for movies like Leatherheads. He also did commercials for companies like Campbell Soup Company and GMC Truck.
Kalas provided the recorded voice for self-guided tours. You could hear his voice at the United States Mint in Philadelphia and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
He also narrated the first five Puppy Bowls for Animal Planet from 2005 to 2009. Puppy Bowl VI was dedicated to his memory.
Harry Kalas's Passing
Harry Kalas passed away on Monday, April 13, 2009, in Washington, D.C. He had collapsed in the press box at Nationals Park. This happened just before the Washington Nationals' home opener against the Phillies. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after.
David Montgomery, the Phillies team president, said, "We lost Harry [today]. We lost our voice." Before the game, his death was announced to the crowd. His picture was shown on the scoreboard, and everyone observed a moment of silence. The Phillies won the game, 9–8. They honored Kalas by putting his picture in their dugout. Phillies fans also created a memorial outside Citizens Bank Park.
Kalas had some health issues in his later years. But these did not seem to affect his announcing skills. He had called a Phillies game the day before he passed away. He was in his 39th season with the Phillies.
The Phillies were supposed to visit the White House the day after his death. This visit was postponed to remember Kalas. They visited the White House later, on May 15.
On Friday, April 17, 2009, Kalas's three sons threw out the first pitches. This was before the Phillies' first home game after his death. Kane Kalas sang the national anthem.
The next day, Kalas became one of only a few people to have their body lie in repose inside a major-league baseball stadium. His casket was displayed behind home plate at Citizens Bank Park. Fans were invited to pay their respects. His casket was then carried out of the park by friends, broadcast partners, and every player on the Phillies team.
After leaving the ballpark, Kalas was laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. In August 2009, two pairs of seats from Veterans Stadium were placed at his graveside. In 2010, a headstone was added. It features a granite microphone with his initials "HK" and a copy of his autograph. The base is shaped like a home plate and has a loving message.
In 2010, Kalas's grave was covered with sod that came from Citizens Bank Park. This was a special tribute, as Kalas had walked on that grass. He had also called the 2008 World Series victory that happened on that very field.
Honors and Tributes
Phillies pitcher Larry Christenson gave Kalas the nickname "Harry the K" in the mid-1970s. This nickname quickly became popular with fans. In 2002, Kalas received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame. This award honors excellence in baseball broadcasting.
In 2004, he was named Person of the Year by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. He was also inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. He was named Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 18 times.
Kalas helped announce the closing of Veterans Stadium in 2003. He was also the master of ceremonies for the opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
At Citizens Bank Park, a restaurant is named "Harry the K's" in his honor. After he passed away, the Phillies' TV-broadcast booth was renamed "The Harry Kalas Broadcast Booth." It is next to the radio booth, which is named after Richie Ashburn.
When Kalas died, fans created a special memorial for him at Citizens Bank Park.
For the rest of the 2009 season, the Phillies honored Kalas. All players, coaches, and managers wore a round, black "HK" patch on their jerseys. A billboard with his initials and lifespan ("HK 1936–2009") was also displayed at the ballpark.
When the Phillies won the National League East division, the players celebrated at the billboard. They poured beer and champagne on it. This was a way to include Kalas in their celebration, as he had been part of all their past victories.
The Phillies players also hung Kalas's signature baby-blue blazer and white loafers in the dugout for every game.
After Kalas's death, the Phillies started playing a video of him singing "High Hopes" after every win at Citizens Bank Park. They also play his famous "This ball is outta here!" call after every Phillies home run.
In 2009, Kalas was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame. He was also inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame that same year.
Fans started a petition for a statue of Kalas. In August 2011, a 7-foot-tall (210 cm) bronze statue of Harry Kalas was unveiled at Citizens Bank Park. It shows him holding a microphone and leaning on a baseball bat. The statue is located between Harry the K's Restaurant and the statue of Richie Ashburn.
The 2010 Mummers Parade also paid tribute to Kalas. The Happy Tappers Comics dressed as Phillies players with the "HK" patch. Their theme was "Harry K's Field of Dreams."
Images for kids
-
Harry Kalas's autograph
