43 Facts About Harry Kalas

Harold Norbert Kalas was an American sportscaster, best known for his Ford C Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball, a position he held from 1971 until his death in 2009.

Harry Kalas was born in Chicago, on March 26,1936, the son of a Methodist minister of Greek descent, Harry Kalas graduated from Naperville High School in 1954 and from the University of Iowa in 1959.

In 1965, Harry Kalas made his Major League Baseball broadcasting debut with the Houston Astros, replacing Al Helfer and working alongside Gene Elston and Loel Passe.

Harry Kalas called the first game at the Houston Astrodome, on April 12,1965.

In 1971, Harry Kalas was hired by the Phillies in 1971 to succeed Bill Campbell, and was the master of ceremonies at the 1971 opening of Veterans Stadium.

Harry Kalas called the first game at Veterans Stadium, the last game at Veterans Stadium, and the first game at Citizens Bank Park.

Harry Kalas was sidelined for a few days in late July 2008 to treat a detached retina.

Harry Kalas's pitch was part of the pre-game ceremony in which the Phillies received their 2008 World Series championship rings.

Harry Kalas made, arguably, his most memorable call on April 18,1987, when Mike Schmidt hit his 500th career home run.

Nevertheless, Harry Kalas was part of the Phillies' World Series celebration in 1980, and rode in the team's victory parade down Broad Street.

Harry Kalas did call the 1980 NLCS, but his call of the final out was partially drowned out by Tim McCarver's laughter.

Harry Kalas called a grand slam home run by Mariano Duncan off Lee Smith in 1993:.

On June 14,2004, Harry Kalas called the 400th home run hit by Jim Thome, using the call he used in later years when it was uncertain whether the ball would clear the fence:.

On September 8,2005, Harry Kalas calls an eventual game-winning 3-run home run by Craig Biggio in top of the 9th off Billy Wagner.

Harry Kalas' call on the Phillies' victory in Game 5 of the 2008 NLCS:.

On October 29,2008, Harry Kalas was finally able to call a Phillies' championship-winning moment in the World Series when Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske to win the 104th Fall Classic:.

Harry Kalas made his final call on April 12,2009, during the Phillies game against the Colorado Rockies:.

Harry Kalas was known for his love of the Frank Sinatra song, "High Hopes", a melody he sang at numerous events, including the Phillies' championship celebrations in his later years.

Harry Kalas liked to slowly enunciate certain players' names, especially those with ethnic names.

Harry Kalas attributed his leathery voice to his habit of smoking Parliament cigarettes, and some of the Phillies players lit up Parliaments after Harry Kalas' death as a tribute.

Harry Kalas became its primary voice, following the passing of John Facenda in 1984.

Harry Kalas provided the narration to the highlights on Inside the NFL from its inception in 1976 through the 2008 season.

Harry Kalas joined Dennis Green to call the 1985 Aloha Bowl between Alabama and USC.

Harry Kalas's voice was used for narration of WLVT-TV's documentary on the Lehigh-Lafayette Rivalry, produced in 2004.

Harry Kalas lent his voice to NFL Network's game telecasts, reading sponsor plugs during commercial breaks.

Harry Kalas was replaced by Pat Summerall after his death.

Harry Kalas lent his voice to the commercials for the movie Leatherheads, as well as commercials for the Campbell Soup Company, including Campbell's Chunky Soup, GMC Truck, Sega Genesis Sports Games, Coors Light, and others.

Harry Kalas provided the recorded voice-over for much of the self-guided tours at the United States Mint in Philadelphia and the Gateway Arch in St Louis.

Harry Kalas did voicework for the 1995 and 1996 St Louis Rams highlights.

Harry Kalas made an appearance on the song "Rain Delay" by the Philadelphia-based rock group Marah.

The Phillies saluted Harry Kalas by placing a picture of him in their dugout during the game.

Center fielder Shane Victorino saluted Harry Kalas after hitting a solo home run by pointing up to the press box where Harry Kalas would have called the game.

Phillies fans created a makeshift memorial at the Mike Schmidt statue outside Citizens Bank Park at the Third Base Gate shortly after Harry Kalas's death was announced.

The next day, Harry Kalas became the fourth person to be given the honor of having their body lie in repose inside a Major League Baseball stadium after Babe Ruth, Jack Buck, and Miller Huggins.

Harry Kalas's casket was displayed behind home plate and fans were encouraged to pay their respects at Citizens Bank Park.

The headstone consists of a granite microphone with the letters "HK" in the middle and a likeness of Kalas' autograph, which includes the "HOF 2002" that Kalas added to his autographs after his receipt of the Ford C Frick Award, at the microphone's base, and that sits on top of a raised base shaped like a home plate.

On September 29,2010, Harry Kalas's grave was resurfaced with sod that originally came from Citizens Bank Park, which was previously removed for the 2009 season when that stadium was re-sodded.

Harry Kalas was named Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 18 times.

Harry Kalas helped announce the ceremonial closing of Veterans Stadium on September 28,2003, and was the master of ceremonies at the ceremonial opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004.

When Harry Kalas died on April 13,2009, fans created an impromptu memorial tribute to him at the base of the statue of Mike Schmidt at the Third Base Gate of Citizens Bank Park.

In 2009, Harry Kalas was that year's inductee into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.

In June 2009, the National Radio Hall of Fame announced that Harry Kalas would be posthumously inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Phillies fan Antonio Jose initiated an online petition seeking support for a statue of Harry Kalas to be erected outside the Phillies' ballpark.