Phils bring Harry back

-Courtesy of the Philadelphia Phillies

Like the Energizer Bunny, Harry Kalas keeps on going and going. The 70-year-old broadcaster has signed a new three-year contract to remain in the Phillies broadcasting booth.

Larry Andersen, Chris Wheeler and Scott Franzke are also returning to the Phillies broadcasting team, Rob Brooks, Manager of Broadcasting for the ballclub, announced today. In addition, Brooks announced that former Phillies outfielder, Gary Matthews, is joining the broadcasting team. Scott Graham, who had been with the Phillies since 1991, will not return.

“Harry is the voice of the Phillies and we’re delighted he plans on continuing his Hall of Fame career,” said Brooks.

“I’m excited to be able to continue calling Phillies games,” said Kalas. “I really like the make-up of this club. The future - with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins - is very bright.”

Kalas began broadcasting major league baseball with the Houston Astros in 1965. He’s been with the Phillies since 1971. He is currently the eighth-longest tenured broadcaster in the majors, trailing the likes of the Dodgers’ Vin Scully and the Astros’ Milo Hamilton. In 2002, Kalas received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed a broadcaster.

The man who made “Outta Here!” a household phrase has also called six National League Championship Series, six no-hitters, all of Hall of Famer Steve Carlton’s starts from 1972 to 1986 and Pete Rose’s NL-record 3,631st hit, among other things. Kalas used his famous phrase on all of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt’s 548 career home runs and most of NL MVP Ryan Howard’s club-record 58 home runs in 2006.

Matthews was a major league outfielder for over 15 years, including three seasons with the Phillies, 1981-1983. He was the Most Valuable Player in the 1983 National League Championship Series when the Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series. He also played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and finished his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1987.

The 56-year-old spent two seasons as the color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays radio broadcast (2000-01). In addition, he was a baseball analyst on Headline Sports Television, a Canadian cable network based in Toronto.

After retiring from baseball, Matthews spent a few years in private industry and broadcasting, before joining the Cubs as their minor league hitting coordinator (1995-97). He has also been a major league coach for seven seasons - with the Blue Jays (1998-99), Milwaukee Brewers (2002) and Cubs (2003-06).

Andersen, who spent 25 years in professional baseball as a relief pitcher, has been a part of the Phillies broadcasting team since 1998. Wheeler joined the Phillies in 1971 as a member of the team’s public relations department. Six years later, he joined the broadcasting team. Franzke made his Phillies debut last season after four years with the Texas Rangers as their pre- and post-game show host and fill-in play-by-play announcer.

As far as specific assignments, Brooks said those decisions will be made during spring training. “We do know Harry will be on both radio and TV as has been the case for so many years. Franzke will assume more innings on radio,” said Brooks.