Harry Kalas

by bryanzane on Apr 14, 2009 1:01 AM EDT Comment 20 comments

(UPDATE: This is a FanPost and, I think, a very good one, but not all the opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views of the guy who runs Bucs Dugout. So be warned.)

I've been a Pirates fan since the day I was born. My parents were from western Pennsylvania, and to this day the only good things my biological father has given me are my baseball glove, grandparents and an unabashed love of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I'm one of the few people I know who would honestly rather listen to the Pirates lose than watch the Steelers win.

Shortly before I was born in 1977 my parents moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Being so much closer to Philadelphia, I've heard Harry Kalas do Phillies' broadcasts since I can remember.

I can't begin to explain how honest and incredible a broadcaster Kalas was. He loved the Phils, much like Myron Cope loved the Steelers, and just like Cope, Kalas always had a way of explaining situations without having to say things out loud.

I remember a game just after I turned 21 (I know this because I was at a bar when it happened.) The Phils were leading the Florida Marlins 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Marlins had runners on second and third with two outs. The Phils intentionally walked a batter to load the bases to get to Preston Wilson, who was batting clean-up. All the people at the bar were up in arms at the decicion. I heard "what idiot would walk a guy to load the bases for the clean-up hitter!?!" (Philly fans are idiots, by the way.)

Harry Kalas' call was perfect and calm. "The Phils are gonna load the bases here in the ninth and face the free-swinging Preston Wilson."

So little said, yet so much said at the same time. Preston Wilson struck out and the game was over. I think Preston Wilson went on to set a new Major League record for strike outs in a season that year, actually.

I know ESPN has made a fairly big deal out of Kalas' passing, as they should, but I just wanted to share my own memory of Harry Kalas: Philadelphia's most intelligent Phanatic.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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You might want to revise your story

Preston Wilson and Pudge Rodriguez never played on the same Marlins team.

Formerly known as Econolodge

by Willton on Apr 14, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

You're right

I was a little tipsy when I wrote that last night. I’m thinking it may have been Cliff Floyd?

It’s hard to remember the details, but I do remember the situation and how the bar reacted without taking into account any of the facts of the in-game scenario. And of course Kalas’ call…

by bryanzane on Apr 14, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Truth should be no obstacle to a good story.

by Vlad on Apr 14, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

There is definitely

a pall cast across the city of Philly today. Listening to the end of yesterday’s radio broadcast was heartbreaking. Scott Franzke and Larry Anderson did their damndest to keep it together, but by the end, they were crying on the air. I’ll definitely miss hearing Harry the K’s voice in the dog days of August…

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 14, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

I'm one of the few people I know who would honestly rather listen to the Pirates lose than watch the Steelers win.

You know ME, right?

by bucdaddy on Apr 14, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, wait ...

I didn’t see the byline, thought that was Charlie (although there were enough clues I should have known).

Sorry, bryanzane.

Carry on, everyone.

by bucdaddy on Apr 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d rather pay to go watch the Pirates get slaughtered than BE paid to watch the Steelers slaughter somebody.

But then, I’m a Cowboys fan…

by matskralc on Apr 14, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

"Philly fans are idiots, by the way"

Bryan, are we going to have words?

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 14, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions

Harry Kalas

was also special for NFL Films.

by patthatt on Apr 14, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Philly fans are idiots?

That’s hilarious.

The Terms & Services state I may not be mean yet ignorant and retarded are allowed. The Steelers have great fans, however, I’m not sure if they are great fans or if they just love their winners. This is the same city that was so apathetic towards hockey that Winnipeg seemed like their team’s next home and the Bucs have been so bad for so long that the only thing I ever hear about them is how beautiful their stadiium looks. It is a beautiful stadium, but I swear I’ve been hearing it since they were in that dump of Three Rivers.

Some Philly fans are morons. Just like fans in every city. That being said, there is no other city that only demands hard work and selflessness more than the city of Philadelphia. There is also no other city that will support a player that does try as hard as he can the way that city does and I find it sickening that all people seem to do is bring up the “Santa incident” (without mentioning everything that happened, mind you) whenever they are questioned why they feel the way they do about Philadelphia. It’s chickenshit and obvious to anyone that isn’t an “idiot”.

I’m gonna stop now before I violate these shithead TOS. I just have one parting question: How many retired Pittsburgh athletes retire to the Pittsburgh area? Such great and knowledgable fans along with a cosmopolitan inner-city probably lead to droves of athletic heroes retiring there. Especially when they can purchase their former team for pennies on the dollar because the Pittsburgh faithful are so loyal and knowledgable.

by Nutsy1122 on Apr 14, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

I think you’d like us if you got to know us better : (

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Apr 15, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

but...

He had to stop there or else he was going to violate the shithead TOS!!! Don’t antagonize him!

Don’t get him angry.

You wouldn’t like him… etc.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 15, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

hey

I don’t know this guy.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 14, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

And just so it’s clear, this wasn’t written by me, the regular BD guy. Having only been to one sporting event in Philadelphia (during which I joined the entire stadium in booing Doug Glanville for screwing up a play in the outfield and costing Eric Milton a no-hitter), I have no particular opinion of Philadelphia fans. I thought the rest of the FanPost was really good and I thought the author earned the right to get in one gratuitous shot at Philly fans if that’s what he wanted to do, so I left that line in and promoted it. But Philly folks are cool with me.

by Charlie on Apr 14, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Bryan knows what he did…

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 15, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes I do

Hi Pete.

Just so everyone knows, Pete and I go way back and he’s Philly’s second most intelligent phanatic. Everyone should welcome him with open arms.

As for Nutsy1122, I don’t know him, but he seems very passionate.

by bryanzane on Apr 15, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

WHATS UP MAN

THIS IS JI

JIM THOME

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 15, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

http://dugout.progressiveboink.com/

In case somebody out there doesn’t get the joke.

by Vlad on Apr 15, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Harry Kalas

I know the Philly area has got to be hurting. I never got to hear Harry announce games but heard that he was a popular announcer. Out here, we’ve had Vin Scully for over 50 years. I can’t imagine losing his voice. The way Vin talked about Harry, I have to think that they knew each other personally. It’s been a tough beginning of a season wih the Angels losing Nick Adenhart followed by Harry Kalas and Mark Fidrych. Paul

by USSConstCVA64Vet on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM EDT reply actions

Philly fans are idiots

Really? Wow, way to kick a city full of the most passionate fans in baseball while they are down. Harry Kalas is baseball to us. An entire city is mourning the man who we loved so much. And he loved us, every last die hard Philadelphia fan. He was no idiot, and he knew that Philadelphia fans are so much more than the bad rap we relentlessly get. A man, and announcer, of Harry’s caliber does not fall in love with and spend his most of his life in a city full of idiots. You’d have to be an idiot not to see that.

“Philly fans are the greatest fans in the world.” – Harry Kalas

by hkistheman on Apr 18, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions