Reaction to the passing of Harry Kalas

The following statement was issued by the family of the late Harry Kalas:

“The Kalas family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection from all of Harry’s fans and friends cross America. Especially the Phillies fans whom he loved as much as the game of baseball itself.”

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be sent in Harry’s memory to Phillies Charities, Inc., Phillies, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Contributions will be earmarked for different charities at a later date.

Funeral arrangements remain pending.

“Harry was a special friend of mine and my family for 44 years. Baseball broadcasters become an integral part of baseball fans’ families. They are in the homes of fans every day for the entire season. No one will ever be able to match the joy Harry and Richie Ashburn brought to our fans for all those years. He had a great voice, understood and loved the game, and loved people. That’s why I brought him here in 1971. My family and I and all of our fans will always have a place in our hearts for Harry.”

-Bill Giles

“I was saddened today to hear of the sudden passing of my longtime close friend Harry Kalas. I know I can speak for the Phillies when I say Harry Kalas was loved by everyone. All of us could relate to our daily confrontations with his smile, his charm, and his warmth. He spread his passion for people, and baseball, all over the country for almost 50 years. His voice will resonate in my mind the rest of my life. I will never be called ‘Michael Jack’ again without seeing his smile. I and my wife Donna pray for the entire Kalas family that they might find peace during this trying time.”

-Mike Schmidt

“It’s devastating. Harry Kalas IS the Phillies. The fans lost a friend and we [those who were fortunate enough to be able to spend time with him] lost more than that, we lost a family member.”

-John Kruk

“It was an honor to have Harry call ANY play I ever made. The fact that he called me Mitchy-poo on air… I didn’t want any one to know about that nickname, but somehow with Harry it was okay. He is probably one of two announcers that you didn’t have to see to know who it was. He was the best!”

-Mitch Williams

“I first got to know Harry when I was managing Spokane in the Pacific Coast League. He had started his career in Hawaii in the same league. He loved the game of baseball back then. When I got to Philadelphia, I learned first-hand how much he loved the Phillies and their fans. He was a great human being with a great voice. He will be sorely missed by millions of fans.”

-Danny Ozark

“We came up together. In my mind he WAS the Philadelphia Phillies. I’ve never heard a voice like his and I never will again. He was not only a great person, but a great friend.”

-Greg Luzinski

“I spent my whole baseball life listening to Harry. All the highlights … he had such a distinctive voice. He was a fan favorite and a favorite of all the players, too. He will be missed.”

-Greg Gross

“Harry was as good a colleague as any sportscaster could hope to have. He was easy to get along with and I certainly enjoyed my 26 years sharing the booth with Harry. When I joined the Phillies in 1976 I had been a sportscaster in Philadelphia doing Eagles and 76ers games, and although I had been a baseball fan since my youth, I had never really broadcast the game. Harry showed me the ropes like only he could. I am more than grateful and will miss him every day I am fortunate enough to remain on this earth.”

-Andy Musser

“For me, he was the voice that meant the Phillies. For me, baseball always brought you back to your youth. He spoke the language of your youth. Whether the Phillies were winning or losing you could hear the love of baseball and the love of the Phillies in Harry’s voice. It is a very sad day.”

-Jim Gardner, WPVI TV

“Comcast SportsNet and the Philadelphia sports community lost a great man today. Harry Kalas was the voice of the Phillies and many of us grew up listening to his legendary calls. It was a pleasure to have him as part of our SportsNet family. We will miss him dearly.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kalas family and the Phillies organization.”

-Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Monihan

The passing of Harry Kalas leaves The Phillies, their fans, our viewers, and sports fans everywhere without a treasured voice and unique personality. Harry set the tone for the Phillies’ successes, hopes and triumphs for 38 seasons and fittingly he died where he lived so large – in the broadcast booth at the ballpark. The sports broadcasting business has lost a legend and on behalf of our employees, our thoughts go out to his family.

- Comcast Sports Group President Jon Litner

“In the 46 years of NFL Films, we have worked with two of the greatest voiceover talents in television history. John Facenda was the ‘Voice of God’ and Harry Kalas was the ‘Voice of the People.’

“His substance was his style. There was no shtick, just a steady blend of crisp articulation and resonance.

“In many ways, Harry is the narrator of our memories. His voice lives on not only on film, but inside the heads of everyone who has watched and listened to NFL Films.”

NFL FILMS PRESIDENT STEVE SABOL

“Harry Kalas’ voice, personality and character made him a legendary figure in Philadelphia sports history and we, like everyone in the city of Philadelphia, will miss him tremendously.”

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie