Harry Kalas
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Harry Kalas (born March 26, 1936) is an American sportscaster, best known for his roles as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, National Football League radio broadcasts by Westwood One and as voice-over narrator for NFL Films.
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[edit] Early life and career
Born in Naperville, Illinois, Kalas graduated from Naperville High School in 1954. He later graduated from the University of Iowa in 1958.
Kalas began his career in 1961 calling minor league games for the Hawaii Islanders while he was in the United States Army stationed in Hawaii.
Kalas made his major league debut in 1965 with the Houston Astros. He was hired by the Phillies in 1971 to replace Bill Campbell, and was the master of ceremonies at the 1971 opening of Veterans Stadium. After the retirement of By Saam, Kalas was paired with Andy Musser and Hall of Fame player Richie Ashburn. Kalas joined NFL Films in 1975, and has been there since.
[edit] Philadelphia Phillies
While initially meeting with a lukewarm reception due to his replacement of the popular Campbell, Kalas soon won the hearts of Phillies fans with his easy-going style, his mellow, baritone voice (which will rise to great excitement upon great plays on the field or Phillies' home runs, especially in key situations), his love of the game and also his accessibility to Phillies fans, for whom he professes a strong love. He is currently signed by the Phillies through the 2009 season.
[edit] Richie Ashburn
Kalas and Ashburn became beloved figures in Philadelphia, and also became best friends. They worked together for 27 seasons until Ashburn's sudden passing in 1997.
Although Kalas and Ashburn worked together harmoniously, his relationships with other partners have not been as friendly. In the course of contract negotiations, it became public knowledge that Kalas had asked that he not be required to work with Chris Wheeler, a former member of the team's publicity department who became a full-time announcer.
[edit] Memorable calls
Kalas' familiar home run call is "Swing...and a long drive, watch this baby, way outta here! Home run <insert player's name here>"
Kalas made arguably, his most memorable call on April 18, 1987, when Mike Schmidt hit his 500th career home run.
| Swing and a long drive, there it is, number 500! The career 500th home run for Michael Jack Schmidt! |
Another classic call by Harry Kalas, was the final out by Tug McGraw as he struck out Willie Wilson in the 1980 World Series Game 6 between the Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.
| 65,000 on their feet here at Veterans Stadium, the Tugger needs one more! |
This call was not made live by Kalas, as network agreements prevented local announcers from calling the World Series games. Kalas and the rest of the Phillies' broadcasting crew did a re-creation after the World Series. After a huge outcry from Philadelphia fans, Major League Baseball allowed local announcers to call World Series games starting the following season.
Another memorable call of Kalas' was his description of the final moments in Game 6 of the 1993 National League Championship Series between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves:
| Swing and a miss!!! Struck him out! The Phillies...are the '93...National League Champions!!! |
[edit] Popularity
Nicknamed "Harry the K", Kalas received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. He also has a bi-level restaurant, "Harry the K's", named for him at Citizens Bank Park, which was built into the base of the main scoreboard.
Harry also helped announce the ceremonial closing of Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium in 2003 and was the master of ceremonies at the ceremonial opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
[edit] Other ventures
In addition to his work with the Phillies and NFL Films, Kalas has called various sports over the years for CBS Radio and Westwood One (including the NFL, MLB, college basketball, and Notre Dame football) and lent his voice to commercials for the Campbell Soup Company and GMC Truck. Kalas also provides the recorded voice-over for much of the self-guided tour at the United States Mint in Philadelphia.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Felo Ramirez |
Ford C. Frick Award 2002 |
Succeeded by Bob Uecker |
