Honoring the life and morning the loss of Harry Kalas (1936-2009).

WHEREAS

, Philadelphia experienced a great loss with the passing of its baseball voice Harry Kalas on Monday April 13, 2009.

WHEREAS

, Born in Naperville, Illinois, he graduated from Naperville High School in 1954 and from the University of Iowa in 1958. Kalas began his career in 1962 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 1963 with the Houston Astros, replacing Al Helfer and working alongside Gene Elston and Loel Passe; and

WHEREAS

, Kalas was hired by the Phillies in 1971 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 as a narrator in 1975. He provided the narration to the highlights on “Inside the NFL,” from its inception in 1977 through the 2008 season; and

WHEREAS

, Kalas was unquestionably the most recognizable and distinctive voice in all of baseball and a unifying figure for all people in this region. His voice became the personification of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. Generations of Philadelphia sports fans can trace their interest in baseball to the first sounds of Kalas’s voice; and

WHEREAS

, His phrases like

"Swing and a long drive, watch this baby, outta here!” and “Struck him out”

became synonymous with baseball in popular culture; and

WHEREAS

, Kalas demonstrated great loyalty to not just the Phillies organization but also the entire city by staying with the Phillies for 39 years and treating all fans with great respect; and

WHEREAS

, Kalas’s pairing with Richie Ashburn was a famed duo that provided thousands of Philadelphia baseball fans with countless hours of keen insight and entertainment; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That it honors and recognizes the great life of Harry Kalas.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Kalas Family as further evidence of the sincere admiration and appreciation of this legislative body.

End