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Harry

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 11:50 AM

I'm a big admirer of Harry Kalas, and I can't see how any baseball fan couldn't be. Hope he's OK. This just happened, looks like. ] Kalas passes out, taken to hospital Philadelphia Daily News WASHINGTON - Legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has been taken by ambulance to a Washington area hospital after he was found passed out in the press box at Nationals Park. Team president David Montgomery said Kalas, 73, was found at about 12:30 p.m. by Rob Brooks, the Phillies' director of broadcasting. Emergency medical personnel were called and took Kalas to George Washington University Hospital. Team president David Montgomery characterized the situation as "serious," but did not have any further information. The Phillies' announcers were brought to the team's clubhouse at about 1 p.m., and they and the players were told about Kalas. He missed most of spring training after undergoing surgery in early February. The team declined to provide specifics of the surgery at that time, saying only that it was a "minor medical procedure" and that there was no reason for concern. It is unknown if that is related to the current situation. Kalas has broadcast Phillies games since 1971. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. He is entering the final season of a 3-year contract that he signed in December 2006.

metirish Apr 13 2009 11:54 AM

Oh wow , I hope he's OK.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 11:56 AM

Always jarred me to hear him, with that voice, referring to Jimmy Rollins as "J-Roll."

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 11:56 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 12:06 PM

AP reporting that he passed away. Sorry, Phils fans. It's a difficult thing to lose your treasured voice.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 12:01 PM

Oh, my.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 13 2009 12:03 PM

="OlerudOwned":3cdgj9ud]Always jarred me to hear him, with that voice, referring to Jimmy Rollins as "J-Roll."[/quote:3cdgj9ud] You would have hated his dancehall single. All kidding aside... this is terrible news. SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 12:05 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":11jy6pgu]AP reporting that he passed away. Sorry, Phils fans. That's a difficult thing to lose your treasured voice.[/quote:11jy6pgu] . SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 12:07 PM Also the voice of NFL Films, and still was at the time of his passing if I'm not mistaken. Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 12:09 PM Dying on the job, anyway. If you've got to go. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 12:18 PM I think I told the story before of having received a phone call from Harry one day, and in his greeting learning how he'd pronounce my name were I a member of the Phillies. G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:22 PM One of the great voices, obviously. A very friendly and conssiderate man, based on my single encounter with him 13 years ago. I attended a baseball broadcasting panel at the Museum of Television & Radio (if you read the afterword to FAFIF, it's where I first said hello to Gary Cohen and we had our Kenny Greer moment). I went to the men's room afterwards and there was Harry, being wrangled into leaving somebody's outgoing message from the pay phone. I can still hear it: "Hi, you've reached Mike and Sue, but they're not home now..." in Harry Kalas' voice. The nerve it must have taken to request that, and the graciousness he had to fulfill the wish on the spot. He just smiled about it afterward when I told him, in so many words, wow, you just did that for somebody. I loved tuning in 1210 AM to hear him through the static every now and then over the years. Baseball is better for having had Harry Kalas announce it. Farmer Ted Apr 13 2009 12:23 PM A heavy drinker and smoker at one time. He and Richie are enjoying a cocktail right about now. Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 12:25 PM The lifestyle of a baseball broadcaster has not been historically a healthy one. G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:27 PM Richie Ashburn died in his Manhattan hotel room and I remember more than one longtime announcer saying he'd hate to go that way. There isn't a good way to, I'm guessing. seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 12:28 PM Terrible loss for baseball; condolences to the Phillies family. Frayed Knot Apr 13 2009 12:31 PM ="G-Fafif":20k4zf36]Richie Ashburn died in his Manhattan hotel room.[/quote:20k4zf36] Don Drysdale too. Well not in Manhattan, but alone and in a hotel room whilst on the road. Swan Swan H Apr 13 2009 12:34 PM I guess I last heard him doing the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet for a few minutes this past February. He was clearly having a lot of fun doing the mock-serious play by play. His son Todd did radio for the Mets for a couple of years, 1992-93 according to a Wikipedia entry. I remember seeing Todd for half a second at a 'tour the stadium' deal for ticket plan holders. All I could think of to say was 'I really love your Dad's work.' I bet he never heard THAT before. He was very gracious about it. TransMonk Apr 13 2009 12:40 PM Legendary voice of both baseball and football. RIP G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:45 PM ="Swan Swan H":3f1zi9ng]I guess I last heard him doing the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet for a few minutes this past February.[/quote:3f1zi9ng] Now I'm really bumming. Seriously. I love the Puppy Bowl (and kitten halftime show). It seemed somehow dignified with Harry K on board. Farmer Ted Apr 13 2009 06:05 PM Ryan Howard supposedly showing his respect to Harry by taking a puff with Jayson Werth. http://www.totalprosports.com/blog/wp-c ... e-game.jpg themetfairy Apr 13 2009 11:01 PM Wow. We heard about this during the moment of silence before the game at Citi Field. As most of you know, I live in the no man's land between New York and Philly, and we get local channels from both markets. I've been listening to Harry for the past 13+ years, and have always enjoyed listening to him. Just this past Sunday, D-Dad and I turned on the game and commented about how much we enjoy hearing that voice each summer. RIP Harry. SteveJRogers Apr 14 2009 06:40 AM ="Farmer Ted":ru7cwiip]Ryan Howard supposedly showing his respect to Harry by taking a puff with Jayson Werth. http://www.totalprosports.com/blog/wp-c ... e-game.jpg[/quote:ru7cwiip] All the Phillies took a drag of that as a "respect" thing.