Comments on: Harry Kalas, Voice of the Phillies (1936-2009)

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:56:58 +0000

wanted to share this… from a buddy in one of my fantasy baseball leagues. Said he Mitch Williams said this on TV….

“Great story from the Wild thing the other day. I guess the two of them were playing black jack in Vegas one night all sauced up. Mitch has a bunch of money riding on his hand sitting at 13. He goes huge and gets and 8 card to get 21 and win. Kalas apparently goes into his announcer voice, cigarette and drink in hand, and goes: Miiiitchy pooooooo geeeeeeets the eiiiiiiiiight! Awesome.”

By: bski

bski — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:06:13 +0000

Here is some info on Saturday's tribute to Kalas.

By: bski

bski — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:19:23 +0000

Yeah J Dubbz, I love “Struck Him Out!” too. Difficult to say which call between that one and “Outta Here!” I like more. I’d have to say it’s a tie.

The other thing that’s difficult to say is which variation of each call I like more. There’s the regular, “He struck him out!”. There’s also, “He struck him right on outta there!”. I really liked when either call was preceded by “Swing and a miss”.

For the “Outta here!” call, there are two that do it for me. First is, “Swing and a long drive! Watch that baby! Outta here!. Home run (fill in name)!”. Second is, “Could it be? It’s got a chance. Outta here! Home run (fill in name)!”.

Anyway you look at it, those two calls have to remain a part of Phillies baseball, IMO.

By: J Dubbz

J Dubbz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:32 +0000

bski…Although I love the “outta here” from Harry, the enthusiastic “struck eeeem out!!!” with 2 outs and a game changing situation on the line may have been my favorite.

I agree with everyone that at least the “outta here” quote should not only be played this season, but forever on the PA system following a Phils dinger.

By: bski

bski — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:49:11 +0000

Todd Zolecki has a photo of a uniform with the HK patch on it.

By: bski

bski — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:05:46 +0000

I’d really like for another of his signature calls—-”He struck ‘im out!”—-to become a fixture as well. Don’t know how to go about it though, as playing it over the PA would show up the hitters.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:32:32 +0000

jurnee- posted above, but I'll paste here...

met him a couple times. Once as a young kid I went into the booth in between innings to talk to both he and Ashburn. I remember Ashburn saying something funny that I didn’t understand and Kalas asking me a bunch of questions about the Phils as if I was his own grandkid.

Also met him a couple times while I worked at the Phillies. Sat at a dinner table with him before games once or twice and listened to writers ask him all sorts of questions about his favorite HRs/Players/Teams, etc… His speaking voice was exactly the same as the voice he used on air. bsk- lots of good stuff in there. I too hope the "outta here!" is permanant.

By: bski

bski — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:26:41 +0000

Here is a link with info about tributes the Phils will pay to Kalas at Friday night's game, throughout the 7-game homestand, and for the remainder of the season. It's very touching and I have no doubt that the Phils will go first class all the way in honoring Kalas. Hopefully, in addition to any statues and renaming of broadcast booths and/or streets, they will make some of the things (like "High Hopes" and the "Outta Here" call) a permanent part of Phillies baseball.

By: jurnee16

jurnee16 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:56:48 +0000

Pete,
I know you used to work for the Phillies. Were you ever lucky enough to meet Harry Kalas and do you personally have any memory of him that sticks out in your mind?

By: tk76

tk76 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:09:03 +0000

I still remember them calling the games on 1060. When I was living in the Poconos it was a similar situation where they were the only way I ‘saw’ the games. I guess that was not that far back (25-30 years), but still takes me back.