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Monday, April 13, 2009

Kalas passes out, taken to hospital

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.

Gamingboy Posted: April 13, 2009 at 05:36 PM | 55 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: announcers, phillies

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1. Roadblock Jones Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:02 PM (#3136228)

He's one of the greats. Sorry to hear it.

2. Gamingboy Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:03 PM (#3136229)

Breaking: Harry Kalas has passed away. I just submitted the ESPN story.

Damn, this has been a depressing month.

3. Bad Doctor Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:04 PM (#3136230)

The AP is reporting that it's the worst. (Per Fox News Radio, I can't find a link yet.) Huge condolesences to Harry the K's friends and family. For his extended family of listeners, Phillies games will never be the same. One of the greats, and he will be sorely missed.

EDIT: Inquirer link

4. ??'s Biggest Fan! Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:04 PM (#3136231)

WFAN in NY is reporting Kalas passed away. At least it happened while he was doing something he obviously loved. Condolences Phillies fans!

5. SteveM. Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:05 PM (#3136232)

That is a pure shame. As the voice of NFL films, Kalas made every highlight to be of ground breaking importance. XM allowed me to hear him and enjoy him as a broadcaster. RIP.

6. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:06 PM (#3136235)

Geez, what a terrible few days in baseball. Prayers and condolences to Mr. Kalas' family and the Phillies.

7. Gamingboy Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:09 PM (#3136239)

I want to throw up. And I'm not even a Phillies fan. Other than Vin Scully and maybe Ernie Harwell, Kalas was the best. The best.

8. SoSH U at work Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:11 PM (#3136241)

Condolences to the Kalas family and Phillies fans, who genuinely seemed to love his work.

9. Shredder Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:11 PM (#3136242)

Damn, this season really sucks so far. Can we just wind everything back a few weeks and start over?

10. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:13 PM (#3136246)

Ugh, terrible news. I'm just happy that he got to see one more championship before he passed away.

They just don't make 'em like Harry Kalas anymore.

11. thread killer Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:13 PM (#3136247)

And Marilyn Chambers died this morning too. Weird.

12. Bad Doctor Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:13 PM (#3136248)

Today's game against the Nationals will be played, but the team will not visit the White House tomorrow.

I can only imagine the local broadcast will go with dead air for the entire game. I don't know how the announcing crew will be able to go forward, and you could probably get away with it for baseball.

I guess the Nats can't call off their opening day, but it would just seem to be so tough for the Phillies' broadcasters to go on the air or pay attention to the game.

13. SoSH U at work Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM (#3136249)

I can only imagine the local broadcast will go with dead air for the entire game. I don't know how the announcing crew will be able to go forward, and you could probably get away with it for baseball.

I wonder if they'd use the Nats' radio broadcast.

14. Fly, the most judgment-free human being on Earth Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM (#3136250)

Ugh. Awful. One of the best ever.

15. Win one for Agrippa (haplo53) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM (#3136253)

Very sad. My thoughts are with the Kalas family. Hopefully Harry is up in heaven with Whitey right now.

16. Crashburn Alley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:16 PM (#3136254)

Harry Kalas made the 1995-2000 Phillies watchable. That couldn't have been easy -- those teams were filled with nobodies, and Kalas made it all worth watching.

Kalas will never be replaced.

17. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:16 PM (#3136255)

And Marilyn Chambers died this morning too. Weird.

My teen years are officially over.

18. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:18 PM (#3136259)

You're absolutely right, Bad Doctor.

But I had a guilty chuckle when I read that - I was thinking about how the Indians could have run three hours of dead air in honor of Herb Score's passing because it's not the same without him, and because that's what it sounded like when he was doing play-by-play.

19. Foster Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:21 PM (#3136260)

My wife grew up in Philadelphia. A few years ago, I was flipping through games on mlb extra innings while she was taking a nap. I stopped on a Phillies game, and when she heard Kalas, she sleepily said, "Dad?" She went back in time, thinking she'd been asleep in the back of her parents' car, with a game on the radio.

I was at the Phillies World Series win last year, and was lucky enough to run into Harry and got to congratulate him.

Now, take your vitamins, Scully...

20. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:21 PM (#3136261)

Awful, awful news.

I wonder if they'd use the Nats' radio broadcast.

It's possible. But, given the nature of the business, I'm not sure how easy this game will be for the Nats' radio guys, either. Charlie Slowes, for instance, was a collegue (though on the radio) side with Kalas' son in Tampa.

21. Martin Hemner

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:23 PM (#3136265)

I remember XM running a Baseball Confidential with him during the offseason, discussing, amongst other things, how he wanted to start to wind down and work less. It's sad that he won't get that chance. RIP sir.

22. AndrewJ Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:25 PM (#3136268)

I went to Syracuse University with Harry's son Todd in the late 1980s (we were both at WAER). Just a sad, sad day here in Philly.

At least he got to call the final out of the '08 Series.

23. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:26 PM (#3136269)

I remember Hawk Harrelson announcing that Don Drysdale, his former partner, had died. Harrelson left the booth and Tom Paciorek finished the game by himself.

24. philphan Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:26 PM (#3136271)

How horribly sad. I grew up listening to Harry and Richie and By--such a great broadcasting team. I'm not sure there has ever been as good a trio as them.

I've got to go take a walk, or else my tears will short out my keyboard....

25. Brian

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:28 PM (#3136276)

I remember Hawk Harrelson announcing that Don Drysdale, his former partner, had died

I can't help it; how did Hawk convey the message about Drysdale?

26. Sox Machine Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:31 PM (#3136281)

Hawk had nice things to say about Kalas today. R.I.P., Harry.

Isn't his son involved in the Rays' broadcasts now?

27. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:32 PM (#3136285)

I remember Hawk Harrelson announcing that Don Drysdale, his former partner, had died.

Man, I remember watching that game. The combination of shock and grief was just very sad.

28. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:34 PM (#3136290)

I can't help it; how did Hawk convey the message about Drysdale?

They came back from a commercial and Hawk just said something like, "This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to say. Don Drysdale was found dead today." with his voice breaking. He didn't develop "He gone" until later. I think Paciorek was quiet for a couple of minutes and then announced the rest of the game.

29. cardsfanboy

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:34 PM (#3136291)

a loss of one of my favorite voices. Condolences to all his friends and family.

30. AndrewJ Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:37 PM (#3136294)

The Ashburn/Kalas/Andy Musser/Chris Wheeler four-man team was the greatest local baseball broadcast team EVER. That's an honest-to-God fact, not merely an opinion.

Harry's childhood baseball hero, Mickey Vernon, died just a few months ago as well. Very sad.

31. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:39 PM (#3136297)

Wow. Kalas was probably the most recognizable voice in baseball behind Vin Scully. I loved hearing him on Westwood One and I loved his work for NFL Films. They just played his call on the radio of Lidge striking out Hinske to end the World Series and it still gives me chills and I'm not even remotely a Phillies fan.

Truly sad day for baseball.

32. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:40 PM (#3136298)

The Phillies radio network is running a special tribute to Kalas on their pregame show. Heartbreaking stuff, but terrific radio.

33. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:40 PM (#3136299)

Very sad. A wonderful voice is the only way I knew about Harry. I don't think I could've recognized him in a lineup of 70 year old guys, let alone broadcasters.

34. Brian Oliver Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:41 PM (#3136303)

The Ashburn/Kalas/Andy Musser/Chris Wheeler four-man team was the greatest local baseball broadcast team EVER. That's an honest-to-God fact, not merely an opinion.

Amen. Harry and Whitey were the voices of my childhood.

RIP Harry Kalas

35. McCoy Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:41 PM (#3136304)

36. ColonelTom Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:42 PM (#3136306)

Some of the best memories I have of my childhood are listening to Harry and Whitey on my grandfather's radio. At least Harry got to call the last out of the 2008 World Series. Harry, you may be "outta here," but you'll never be out of the hearts of Phillies fans. R.I.P.

37. Halofan Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3136308)

Vin Scully announced Drysadale's death during the game on a Dodger telecast and it was quite moving.

38. aleskel

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3136309)

truly sad

does anyone know if he was sick? The ESPN story says something about him have "minor" surgery in the offseason and looking unwell recently.

39. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:44 PM (#3136311)

Didn't Drysdale do Dodger broadcasts for a while?

40. The Non-Catching Molina (sjs1959) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:44 PM (#3136313)

just stunning, RIP Harry, you were awesome.

41. Martin Hemner

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:46 PM (#3136315)

They say these things happen in threes. After Brattain, Adenhart and Kalas, I think we all deserve a breather.

42. will Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:48 PM (#3136324)

For those of us who are Phillies fans, this will be a "where were you when you heard" moment. Harry's first home game, was the first game at the Vet, which I attended as an eighth grader. Now I'm in my early fifties, and I can remember the Phillies at every stage of my life (high school, college,grad schoool, early married life,middle age). The only constant has been Harry. I think of my late mother, listening to every game until her end, and my father- now in his late 80s- asking every weekend, "what station is the game on ". I guess I'm so sad, because Harry's voice has always meant joy and family, and now it is gone. God Bless Harry Kalas.

43. Esoteric Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:48 PM (#3136326)

Another terrible loss capping one of the worst weeks in recent memory for baseball.

I just pulled up the radio feed of the Nats/Phils pregame, and they're playing Kalas' call of the last inning of the last game of the World Series. A fitting tribute, and at the very least he got to see his team win a World Championship right before he went.

44. Crashburn Alley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:50 PM (#3136333)

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4121449

Don't click it unless you want to cry. It's completely worth it though -- it's Harry calling the final out of the 2008 World Series and throwing out the first pitch before the game with the Braves.

45. Repoz

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:51 PM (#3136334)

And Marilyn Chambers died this morning too.

When I was about 17 my parents went to see "Behind the Green Door"...and I don't think I've ever quite finished throwing up.

...and bless Harry.

46. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:53 PM (#3136338)

They say these things happen in threes. After Brattain, Adenhart and Kalas, I think we all deserve a breather.

He wasn't active any more, but there was also George Kell.

47. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 06:54 PM (#3136339)

When Harry first came to Philly, I didn't think much either way. During Carlton's streak in '72, I became aware of just how good Harry was. As the 70s Phils team started to jell, he and Whitey were the perfect pair to announce a young, rising team. The rest is history.

His love of the game showed through in his voice. He seemed to genuinely like the players and their performances. I'm so happy that he got 1 more WS win to announce last year -- he got to go out on top.

I'm going to miss that voice that has been a constant for 38 (count 'em), 38 years. I couldn't even legally drink when he started.

48. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:00 PM (#3136352)

Man ... Jack Buck, Kalas, Mel Allen, Curt Gowdy, Harry Caray, Skip Caray, all gone. Save for Scully and Harwell, pretty much every voice I associate with the game has passed. I feel old.

49. Esoteric Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:03 PM (#3136358)

At least good ol' Dave Niehaus is still around. God I hope the Mariners get one more bite at the apple before he passes. As far as I'm concerned it's him, Scully and Harwell that are still kicking of The Greats.

50. AndrewJ Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:08 PM (#3136367)

I'm so happy that he got 1 more WS win to announce last year -- he got to go out on top.

And the last two Phils wins he broadcast were exciting, come-from-behind victories, too.

51. The Non-Catching Molina (sjs1959) Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:08 PM (#3136370)

The Phils crew is really fighting back tears to call the game, I don't know how they are doing it, bless them.

52. philphan Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:21 PM (#3136398)

I never really liked Bill Campbell, so (unlike a lot of people, I think), I wasn't heartbroken when Harry Kalas replaced him in 1971. But once Harry and Whitey developed that special rapport they had, they were really great to listen to. I'm not sure I have ever enjoyed listening to a baseball broadcast as much as when I got to hear them. They are the stick by which I measure any other broadcast team.

53. Alex meets the threshold for granular review Posted: April 13, 2009 at 07:56 PM (#3136421)

At least good ol' Dave Niehaus is still around. God I hope the Mariners get one more bite at the apple before he passes. As far as I'm concerned it's him, Scully and Harwell that are still kicking of The Greats.

No Milo Hamilton love?

54. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: April 13, 2009 at 08:46 PM (#3136468)

No Milo Hamilton love?

Milo is a ladies man. He gets enough love from them.

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Kalas passes out, taken to hospital

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