"Dear Harry, Inc." is set up solely to raise the funds needed to erect The Harry Kalas Memorial Statue which, in an unprecedented move in professional sports, will be gifted to the Phillies from the fans when complete. We are well on our way and have received the blessing of the Phillies.
This is goodbye, Clifton Phifer Lee. Philadelphia loves you, and will miss you.
It didn't take long for the average fan to fall in love with Lee in the five months that he was here. His 5-0 start, his postseason dominance, complete games, shutouts, and even his hitting will always be remembered.
Nobody is upset about getting Roy Halladay. We look forward to watching him pitch in red pinstripes in 106 days. It's the fact that the Phillies could have both Halladay AND Lee -- Ruben Amaro practically admitted it.
It was a "baseball decision." Amaro wanted to restock prospects after losing seven of the top Phillies prospects.
Refilling the farm system is understandable, and the Phillies seemed to have gotten talented prospects in return, but they could have done better. How about a major league reliever, something the team needs now? Or maybe better prospects? There are plenty of teams that could use Lee, and would be willing to give something up for him. But what doesn't make sense is the fact that the Phillies would not part with Kyle Drabek in July, but dealt him now. Why not just trade him for Halladay in July and we wouldn't be in this mess? The Phillies would still have three or four more of those top prospects.
Another reason for the trade is money. Lee thought that the Phillies were working on a long term deal with him. "I thought that I was going to spend the rest of my career there. This goes to show this is a business, and you never know what’s going to happen until you have a full no-trade clause." David Montgomery later said that the Phillies were "in red" as far as salary goes. Yes, the payroll has reached $140 million, but three million fans supported the team in 2009. Merchandise flies off the hook. The Phillies could absolutely afford Lee. Lee will only make $9 million in 2010. If he couldn't be signed long term, it would make sense to ride him for one more year, and let him walk, get two draft picks, and have Halladay for the long run.
Lee truly thought that he would be a Phillie in 2010, and had no notice what-so-ever of being traded. He was "shocked" and in "disbelief" when he found out about the trade.
Lee comment's were saddening to the everyday Phillies fan. He accepted his new team, the Mariners, and never put them down, despite wanting to "make a third run" at a World Series. He had great praise for the Phillies: "Those guys are the real deal. It was a true team and I can’t say enough about them."
We'll miss you Cliff.
The Fightins recently provided audio of Lee's conference call.
You’re putting together a puzzle, and you’re just about finished. The whole puzzle is put together, but you realize that one piece is missing. You look in the box, and it’s not there.
From walk-off wins, to complete games, to winning a National League pennant, the 2009 season was filled with many memories. Even with all the success, Phillies baseball was missing something: their voice.
The Phillies organization did a terrific job remembering their late broadcaster. During the National League East celebration, the team rushed to left field, showering the “HK” sign with beer. “That ball is outta here!” was played after each home run, and “High Hopes” blasted after each win. Harry Kalas was inducted into the Wall of Fame, and the broadcast team shared their fondest memories of Kalas all year long. All these tributes were heartwarming and classy, but you can’t help but wonder: “how would HK have called it?”
During the World Series, Scott Franzke called Chase Utley’s homer run: “…and as our friend ‘HK’ would say, you are the man!” Franzke has done a fantastic job this season, and that call was perfect. It showed that eight months later, Harry is still in all of our thoughts.
“Outta here!” and “struck ‘em out!” are missed, but just as much as “no runs, no hits, no errors, and none left.” On many occasions, what happened on the field was remembered by his calls. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think of Harry. Phillies baseball wasn’t quite the same, but Harry would have been proud of this team.
Harry was the Phillies missing piece of the puzzle. He is missed very much, but I am thankful that I was able to listen to him over the years. HK will always be in our hearts, and always reminding us to have “High Hopes!”
He is not a Hall of Famer. He is not an All Star. He isn't the most popular player. Still, it was impossible to root against Chris Coste.
Coste fought his way through the minor leagues, spending 12 years without having a cup of coffee. In 2005, the Phillies signed Coste to a minor league deal. Coste spent the entire season at Triple-A Scranton Wilks-Barre.
In 2006, Coste was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee for the second straight year. He was impressive, hitting .463 with 3 home runs. It appeared that Coste won a spot on the Phillies roster, but it wasn't meant to be. He started the year in Triple-A.
At 33 years, 111 days, Coste made his Major League debut on May 26, 2006. Coste went 0-for-his-first-13. Well, it was a good story. At least he finally made it to the Majors. But all anybody wanted to see was for him to get one hit before being sent down. On June 16, 2006, Coste singled up the middle against Devil Ray's pitcher James Shields for his first Major League hit.
On July 19, he slugged his first Major League home run. It was a long one, reaching the porches at Petco Park. In 2006, he batted .328 with 7 HR and 32 RBI.
In 2007, Coste found himself in the minor leagues again after the Phillies signed Rod Barajas. However, Coste was back in the Majors after several Phillies suffered injuries. He was a contributor to the Phillies 2007 National League East title, batting .279 with 5 HR. Brett Myers will always have the sign to Chris Coste to clinch the division.
In 2008, Coste survived the whole year without being sent down to the minor leagues. He even started Game 1 of the World Series as the designated hitter. Coste had only one hit during the entire postseason, but five years ago nobody imaged Coste being on a postseason roster.
Coste wasn't the best defensive catcher, but it was always exciting to watch him throw runners out from his knees. He didn't have the prettiest swing, but he managed to bat .288 with 21 home runs in the big leagues.
“I know people appreciated my story,” Coste said. “You could write a book about it. But I hope that when my career is over, they’ll say he was a good story, but he was a pretty good player, as well. If you look at the back of my baseball card, I’m not a Hall of Famer, I’m not an All-Star, but I had some decent production. I just want to maintain that and stay in the big leagues as long as possible because I was in the minor leagues for 12 or 13 years. I definitely don’t want to go back. I want to make this dream last as long as possible.”
A personal favorite Coste moment came in August of 2008 when the Phillies were trailing the New York Mets 7-0. Chris Coste did not start, however, he went 4-for-4 coming off the bench. In the 13th inning, he hit a walk-off single in the Phillies 8-7 come from behind win.
Whether moving him was appropriate or not is another story. He fit in Philadelphia during the time he was here. Whether you read his books or not, it was impossible to root against Chris Coste. The Coste Guards will miss him, and best of luck to him with the Houston Astros.
It was the sound of summer. The voice of Phillies baseball. It's hard to believe that April 12, 2009 would be the last time we'd hear it. But our voice is gone, and listening to Phillies baseball won't be the same without hearing the legendary voice of Harry Kalas.
He passed away in the press box at Nationals Park, in the town he watched his hero Mickey Vernon play, doing what he loved to do.
The tears on every Phillies fan shows that Harry was more than a terrific broadcaster. I never met Harry the K, but the tears in my eyes goes to show how one man can impact an entire city, and the entire baseball community. The players loved him. The fans loved him.
During the seventh inning stretch, he was there throwing peanuts to the fans while singing "Take me out to the ballgame." There was never a time he turned down an autograph, photo, or the recording of a cell phone answering machine. He had celebrity status, but he didn't let it get to him. My dad's friend met Harry why waiting to vote. My dad's friend asked why he wouldn't cut to the front of the line, but Harry waited in line like the average Joe.
His best friend was Richie Ashburn, who passed away in 1997. I wasn't old to enough to remember, but everyone says they were the best broadcast duo. Just listening to Harry, I find that easy to believe. Harry carried on memories of his late friend and frequently told his favorite Whitey stories.
Harry's love of the game started as a child, and his enthusiasm never left, even in the most meaningless of games. Like most people in the area, I grew up listening to Harry, whether it was on television, or the radio. He's all I know.
All of calls give me goosebumps. His "Outta here!" calls are world famous, originated from Larry Bowa on a Greg Luzinski batting practice home run. But his other calls were just as great. "Struck 'em out!" "Looong drriiiive," "Could it be?" "Can you believe it!?"
Even the little calls like "Walked 'em on four pitches," "the throw to the plate" or "goes down swinging" or the simple words "base hit" had a defining tone.
He was getting older, and he may of lost a few steps. There were time we'd "Watch this baby.. get caught at the warning track." But it didn't matter. Harry was in the booth and that is all we cared about.
We remember Phillies baseball by his calls. He didn't have a chance to call the 1980 World Series on air. However, the love of the Philadelphia fans helped changed the rule three years later to let team broadcasters get a chance to call playoff games. In 2008, he had that opportunity.
"One strike away; nothing-and-two, the count to Hinske. Fans on the their feet; rally towels are being waved. Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch — swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! Brad Lidge does it again, and stays perfect for the 2008 season! 48-for-48 in save opportunities, and watch the city celebrate! Don't let the 48-hour wait diminish the euphoria of this moment, and the celebration. And it has been 28 years since the Phillies have enjoyed a World Championship; 25 years in this city with a team that has enjoyed a World Championship, and the fans are ready to celebrate. What a night!"
There was Mike Schmidt's 500th career home run.
"Swing and a long drive, there it is, number 500! The career 500th home run for Michael Jack Schmidt!"
Those are just two of his most notable calls, but he has thousands. A walk off or great way to end a game, fans know his calls by heart.
Maybe it was Thome's 400th home run, "take a bow big man!" "Chase Utley, you are the man!" Aaron Rowand's "great, great, perhaps, game saving catch!" Ryan Howard's tremendous home run "over the backdrop!" or the last out of Terry Muholland, Rick Wise or Kevin Millwood's no hitter. Any or every exciting Phillies moment was capped off with a legendary call that will stick in our memories for the rest of our lives.
After the Phillies clinched the division, or moved to the next round of the playoffs, we'd be sure to hear his rendition of "High Hopes!"
He had fun with names. Whether it was Michael Jack, Mic-KEY Mor-an-DI-ni, Bo-bby Ab-REU or nicknames like Mitchy-Poo, The Big Man, JRoll and T-Mac, the way he said everybody's name was unique. Even if it wasn't a player or broadcaster. Like many games, he gave up birthday wishes, including my Pop-pop back in 2001. Roc-CO Ac-ITO!
Many players said that you weren't an official big leaguer until Kalas announced your name.
Phillies fans were spoiled listening to him. He was one reason why so many of us fell in love baseball. Nationally televised games were dreaded because it meant no Harry the K.
We remember his voice. We remember his speeches. We remember his first pitch during the ring ceremony. We remember him taking down the final number at the Vet. We will always remember Harry.
"For play-by-play, here's Harry." "Alright, thank you Wheels."
He was imitated by many, but nothing was like hearing the Hall of Fame voice; the voice that belonged to the Phillies since 1971. The voice that will forever be missed.
Man or Machine? The infamous T-Shirts with a shirtless Burrell pictured hung in each and every Phillies player's locker during Spring Training 2008. After a World Series Championship, and signing of left fielder Raul Ibanez, Burrell's 9 year tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies appears to be over. Burrell was the longest tenured Phillie on that 2008 World Championship team, and through all those 9 seasons, Burrell has been through plenty of ups and downs with the team.
In 1998, Burrell was drafted by the Phillies out of the University of Miami, where he is now a member of their Hall Of Fame. At the University of Miami, Burrell batted .442 with 61 HR and 187 RBI over 3 seasons. He earned MVP honors during the College World Series. He was quickly rated the Phillies number one prospect by Baseball America. He won the 1999 Paul Owens Award as the Phillies top Minor League Prospect. Burrell quickly worked his way up to the big leagues, making his Major League debut in 2000.
Rico Brogna went down with an injury, and Burrell, number 33 at the time, filled in at first base. In his debut, he had his first Major League hit and RBI. Also in his debut, he hit a triple. He wouldn't get many since, although he said some big triples in his days with the Phillies. He led all rookies with 18 homeruns. As a personal anecdote, from the time Burrell stepped foot on the field, Burrell was my favorite player. I was only about 9 at the time, but I wrote him a letter. I can't remember what I wrote, but I remember how awesome it was receiving an autographed picture of him in return.
In 2002, Burrell had his best season yet, setting career highs in nearly every offensive category. He batted .282 with 37 HR and 116 RBI, and OPS of .920. Burrell signed a 6 year $50 million contract with the Phillies, including a no trade clause. After the signing, Burrell's numbers began to drop.
In 2003, expectations of Burrell were very high, but Burrell slumped tremendously. He hit just .209. His homerun total dropped to 21, and his RBIs dropped to 64. Burrell, who normally has a high OBP, had an extremely low OBP of .309 in 2003. He had an OPS of .713, a very disappointing year for Burrell. On a historic note, Burrell got the last hit at Veterans stadium. Fans weren't happy with Burrell's production, and thus he heard the boo birds.
In 2004, Burrell rebounded from the previous year as he batted .257 with 24 HR and 84 RBI and an .820 OPS. However, Burrell strained his wrist in batting practice and was placed on the 15 day disabled list for the first, and only time of his career.
In 2005 Burrell's numbers continued to get better from his slump year. He batted .281 with 32 homeruns and a .893 OPS. 2006 and 2007 were statistically similar years. In those 2 years, Burrell averaged an average of about .257 with 30 HR and 96 RBI and 8.96 OPS.
While in previous years, Burrell had second half turn around, Burrell started off the year red hot hitting .326 with 8 HR in April. He should have made his first All Star team, however, Burrell lost the Final Vote leaving him watching the All Star game at home. Burrell ended the year with a .250 AVG with 33 HR and .874 OPS, but more importantly a ring.
Burrell has 251 career homeruns, third on the Phillies all time homerun list. His first hit came in his Major League debut, and his final hit came in the final game of the 2008 World Series, game 5. He was hitless for the entire series, but doubled, just missing a homerun. The hit eventually turned into the game winning run, and a World Championship.
The fans were bitter sweet to Pat Burrell over the years, but never once did Burrell complain. Every day he played his heart out, whether it was noticeable or not. Boos, Let's Go Pat chants, and women trying to flirt with him from the stands didn't stop Pat the Bat.
Burrell was always the center of trade rumors, but never once asked to be traded. Burrell was even traded to the Baltimore Orioles, but vetoed the trade. Burrell wanted to stay in Philadelphia, and even if you were to ask him now, he would most likely still say he wanted to be in Philly.
Through the years, Burrell as known as the "Met Killer." He hammered 42 HR, which surpassed Barry Bonds and Chipper Jones on the all time list. To go along with the homeruns, Burrell has 104 RBI against the Mets. Perhaps his two biggest hits came in 2007 off closer Billy Wagner. Wagner and Burrell didn't get along too well while Wagner was a Phillies, and Burrell let him know calling him "a rat." Burrell homered off Wagner twice, resulting in 2 blown saves for Wagner.
All of Burrell's ups and downs will always be remembered. So thank you Pat, for being a favorite player of mine for a long time. Thank you, for at times being one of my least favorite players. Thank you for 251 career homeruns. Thank you for striking out looking. Thank you for getting walked. Thank you Elivis, Pat's dog, for supporting the Phillies every home game. Thank you for running slower than I can walk. Thank you for those clutch hits off Wagner and the Mets. Thank you for beating Chris Coste to the mound after the Phillies clinched the 2007 NL East. Thank you for your 2 homeruns in the NLDS. Thank you for your World Series hit. Thank you for the World Series Championship. Thank you for riding the Clydesdale. Thank you for wearing number 5. Thank you for never complaining. Thank you, for being a Philadelphia Phillie.
This is a list of calls made by Harry Kalas that were featured on Swing and a Long Drive's "Call of the Day." The calls range from his best, most recognizable calls to random ones. Calls will be added at random. Click the links for audio.
Sorry, we don't have links for the following calls, but you may be able to hear the call as you read:
"Swing and a drive to right center field. Maddox is there!"
"Well hit to deep left. Goodbye! Way, way, outta here! Gary Mathews! What a League Championship Series he's having."
"Nothing-and-two to Bill Russell.. Al Holland. They're going crazy here at Veteran's stadium. Struck him out! Phillies have won it! Holland dives on Mike Schmidt! Paul Owens coming out. The Phillies have won the National League pennant. The score 7-2, as the Phillies are the 1983 National League Champs winning it 3 out of 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers."
"Swing and a miss! Struck him out! The Phillies are the '93 National League Champions! Mitch Williams, a 1-2-3 save and this place is bedlam at Veterans Stadium."
"Here is the 3-2 pitch.. Swing and a line drive! He did it! Vukovich made the catch! Wise has done it! A no hit, no run game!"
"Line drive. Great grab! Charlie Hayes! And Mulholland has pitched the first nine inning no-hitter in the history of the Vet."
"All eyes are on Tommy Greene. 2 outs, no base runners, ninth inning. Greene working on a no hit no run game. Tim Wallach, who is 0-1 has walked, line to right and walked. Hard ground ball! Great grab Greene! It's over! He's pitched a no hit, no run game, making the final out himself! Tommy Greene a no hitter! And he is really being mobbed by the entire Phillie bench. What an effort by Tommy Greene. Terry Muholland who pitched the last Phillies no hitter at Veterans Stadium against San Francisco last year, one of the first ones out. That young man has to be really excited. The appreciative Montreal fans even though they lost giving Tommy Greene a standing ovation. What a thrill for the 24 year old from North Carolina."
"Struck him out! Ball game is over! Phillies win it by a score of 6-2. Steve Carlton wins his 300th major league game, and the big left hander is the first one to go out and shake the hand of Al Holland. Steve Carlton, 300 Major League wins, 199 losses. Paul Owens is hugging the big left hander. What a pleasure it was to watch him pitch over the years since joining the Phillies in 19 hundred and 72. Thanks left hander. You've given us a lot of thrills."
"Struck 'em out! Number 3,522, Steve Carlton! He has surpassed Nolan Ryan for the all time Major League strike out king!"
"Swing and a well hit ball to deep right. This ball's outta here! Home run The Dude! The Phillies are right back in this ballgame, its 5 to 4 in the seventh."
"Ground ball to third. It might be two.. Wide throw by Batiste to right field and safe all around."
"Swing.. a hard ground ball. Base hit! Base hit! Down the left field line! Kruk scores! Phils win! 4-3 on the RBI hit by Kim Batiste. What a big win and game one by the Phightin Phils!"
"...the 2-1 pitch... Swing and a Long Drive! Deep left field! A grand slam! The Phillies, have won the game! Unbelievable! Bo Diaz, a grand slam home run and the Phillies have won the game, in the ninth."
"One strike to 'em. Swing and a long drive! It might be a slam! It is! The Phillies win, by a score of 5-3, on a pinch grand slam by Ozzie Virgil!"
"Line drive... left-center field... Incaviglia scores and the Phillies win it on a base hit by Mitchie-poo!"
"The 1-0 pitch... LONG DRIVE! Deep right! Ballgame tied! Outta Here! Home run Joe Morgan! We are tied at 5."
"Swing and a well hit ball to deep center field! Richards back! It is outta here! Home run! Del Unser, has won the ballgame! Veterans Stadium is going wild! His third consecutive pinch hit home run! Unbelievable!"
"Line drive. It is a fair ball down the left field line, going all the way to to the corner! Here comes Thon into score. Lake being waved around. Mitchell can't pick it up! Lake scores, here comes Dernier! The throw to the plate... safe! I can't believe it! The Phillies have won 3-2 in the bottom half of the 12th inning! Incredible! Mitchell could not pick the ball up down in the corner, it kicked away from him. Dernier has circled the bases! Bedlam here at Veterans Stadium, when all looked lost! The Phightin' came back and won, 3 to 2!"
"Down and in to Maddox.. Line shot! Deep Left! Gotta chance.... Home run! Gary Maddox has tied up the ballgame at four here in the bottom of the eighth."
"That might be four-ninty-nine! It is! Outta Here! Michael Jack Schmidt. Number four-ninty-nine in his career and its tied at one."
"Righetti stretches... 1-2 pitch... swing and a well-hit ball to deep right... this ball is a grand slam, a grand slam home run Mickey Morandini and the Phillies have broken this game wide open!"
"Swing and a well hit ball to left field. Thompson back, leaps up and makes a great catch! Reaches into the fence and it might have saved the game! What a catch by Milt Thomposon!"
"Look out! Here's a National League record. 9th home run of the night for the Cincinnati Reds."
"Swing and a line shot to right center! It's a gapper! And would you believe it! The Krukker at second with a double!"
"Driven to deep right center field. It is a grand slam! And the Phillies have taken a 7-6 lead! What a big blow by Rolen!"
"OH WOW! LOOK AT THIS! A grand slam, upper-deck home run! What a tremendous shot by Pat Burrell!"
"Line drive to left.. It's gotta chance.. OUTTA HERE! Pat Burrell with a line drive, home run!"
"Victorino flying around second. He'll go into third with a sliding triple."
"Bases loaded, nobody out. Long Drive! Deep right field. Grand Slam, home run, Ryan Howard! The first pitch thrown by Medders, Howard takes into the seats, and the Phillies lead it 4 to 3."
"Long drive! Could it be? It is a game winning pinch hit home run, Mike Lieberthal! Can you believe it? The Phillies have come back to win, 8 to 7! What a stunning defeat for Pittsburgh! What an accelerating win for the Phightin' Phils, who have come back to score seven runs in the ninth inning and win 8-7 on a pinch hit home run by Mike Lieberthal! I can not believe it!"
"Swing and a drive to right field. Johnson got a long ways to run. Makes the running catch nicely. Rifels to first base! Double Play! Great play by Johnson."
"Ground ball, base hit. Jimmy Rollins has hit safely in 32 consecutive games. An all time Phillies record."
"From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live."
"Chase Utley again! Chase Utley again! Ending the ballgame on a great catch! Chase Utley you are the man! Wow!"
"Jimmy Rollins is going to have his first major league hit. Off the fence and watch him fly! It's going to be a triple! Rollins... heading for third... Head first slide. He's there with a triple!"
"Well hit! Game over! 3-run homerun Travis Lee! Can you believe it? What a tremendous comeback from the Fightin' Phils! A 10 to 8 win!"
This is goodbye, Clifton Phifer Lee. Philadelphia loves you, and will miss you.
You’re putting together a puzzle, and you’re just about finished. The whole puzzle is put together, but you realize that one piece is missing. You look in the box, and it’s not there.
Orginally featured on Phillies Nation.
It was the sound of summer. The voice of Phillies baseball. It's hard to believe that April 12, 2009 would be the last time we'd hear it. But our voice is gone, and listening to Phillies baseball won't be the same without hearing the legendary voice of Harry Kalas.
ays the center of trade rumors, but never once asked to be traded. Burrell was even traded to the Baltimore Orioles, but vetoed the trade. Burrell wanted to stay in Philadelphia, and even if you were to ask him now, he would most likely still say he wanted to be in Philly.