The Philadelphia Phillies lost their voice earlier this year on April  13^th when Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away suddenly in the booth just prior to a game against the Washington Nationals at the age of 73. Harry Kalas was one of those announcers that you wanted to listen to while watching a game. Whether on television or the radio, Kalas’s voice and calls made him into the legend that he became. Fortunately for Kalas, the Phillies fans loved him and appreciated him when he was still with us. That love has continued on after his passing. The Phillies will induct Kalas into their Wall of Fame tonight, Friday August 7^th. Kalas will join other great names such as Steve Carlton, Greg Lusinski, the late Paul Owens and Michael Jack Schmidt. Mike Schmidt became a household name due to his playing ability. Michael Jack Schmidt became a house hold name because of Harry Kalas.

Harry Kalas is already a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He earned the Ford C. Frick Award in 2002 and was inducted into the broadcaster’s wing. In June of this year, Kalas became the 14^th member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, joining other greats like Bob Ueker, Vin Scully and Harry Caray. Kalas earned all of these honors by being the best at what he did. He loved the game of baseball, and the players and fans all loved him back. He called the games with such passion. He would let you know when good things were happening. He would also let you know when the bad things were happening too, which the Phillies fans got accustomed to in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He called some of the Phillies greatest home runs with his signature “Outta Here” call. Watch Mike Schmidt’s 500^th home run or Jim Thome’s 400^th home run and you will hear Harry. He was also fortunate enough to call the Phillies two World Series Championships. His calls of Tug McGraw and Brad Lidge’s final outs in the 1980 and 2008 World Series games are so memorable that the calls are just as enjoyable as the actual actions on the field.

A true legend in Philadelphia, Kalas will be enshrined to the Phillies Wall of Fame by fellow broadcaster Larry Anderson. Anderson, who pitched for the Phillies from 1983-1986 and 1993-1994, has been broadcasting for the Phillies since the 1998 season. Anderson, who is the color commentator on the radio, may be the most underrated broadcaster in the game. Now, he has the honor and privilege of enshrining his friend and mentor to the Wall of Fame. Kalas will surely be watching from above with another former Phillies great, Richie Ashburn. Kalas and Ashburn were one of the greatest play-by-play duos to call any game. Ashburn, who passed away in September of 1997, is also a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Phillies Wall of Fame. It is only fitting that Kalas and Ashburn are both honored in all of the same ways.

Harry did the little things that kept people interested in the Phillies, baseball and eventually himself. His home run calls, his singing of “High Hopes” after the Phillies World Series win in 2008, his “Michael Jack Schmidt” call and even just the way he pronounced Chi-caw-go. There was and is no other like him. He is missed by many baseball fans and will always be a part of the game. If you get a chance to visit Citizen’s Bank Park, be sure to check out the Wall of Fame. Pay your respects to players that have given us their blood, sweat and tears. And make sure you pay your respects to Harry Kalas, the voice that kept you interested in the game while watching on TV or listening on the radio. If you think anyone can do it, look back at some of the awful teams that the Phillies had in the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s and see how Harry kept everyone interested. Remember that he called the first and last games of Veteran’s Stadium, the first game at Citizen’s Bank Park, two World Series championship teams and much more. His voice will live on forever in the hearts of those that listened to him, and hopefully his memories will be passed on to the new fans of the game for many more years to come.