Legendary Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster and NFL Films announcer Harry Kalas has died.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...p&c_id=mlb

Phils broadcaster Kalas passes away
Longtime announcer collapses before Monday's game

By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

04/13/09 1:40 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- Longtime Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas died at 1:20 p.m. ET on Monday, shortly after collapsing in the team's broadcast booth before the series opener against the Nationals.

"We lost Harry. I've been 39 years with the Phillies and 39 years with Harry and, as I said in this clubhouse, we lost our voice today," said team president and CEO David Montgomery at about 1:50 p.m. outside the team's clubhouse. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."

The 73-year old Kalas was found in the team's broadcast booth around 12:30 p.m. and was taken to George Washington University Medical Center. Team officials quickly cleared the locker room and talked with the Phillies.

Montgomery said he didn't know the exact cause of death.

"I know that when they took him away that they were very concerned," he said.

Kalas had been the team's broadcaster for the past 38 years. Prior to that, he was a member of the Houston Astros' broadcast team from 1965-70. He received the 2002 Ford C. Frick Award, bestowed annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball."

Montgomery said Monday's game would be played, but that the Phillies were going to reach out to the White House and pass up Tuesday's scheduled trip there.

Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Oh WOW ...


RIP

I just heard a report ex-Tigers pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych died. Details are sketchy...all the report said was someone found him under his truck.

uPtoWnNY said:

Seriously ?

Mach said:

RIP The Bird

http://www.freep.com/arti...1048/rss03

Gonna miss Harry on NFL Films.

Mach said:

I was in high school at the time, and I remember how popular The Bird was during that year(1976). Fans went nuts for this cat - he was like a rock star.

SCNDLS said:

Awesome voice for the NFL. He will be missed.

uPtoWnNY said:

I was in middle school - I remember my Dad taking us downtown to watch him play ...

What a fantastic voice Kalas had. I wish I could have heard more of his games.

The Bird was something else. I remember his rookie year - what a breath of fresh air!

Prayers for the loved ones of both.

... I dug Kalas narrations for NFL Films, but John Facenda "The Voice of God" narrations on NFL Films were the bomb.... both were good, along with the music of Sam Spence.