Harry Kalas calls the final strike of the 2008 World Series.
Harry Kalas, the Hall-of-Fame voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, has died.
For those who followed the Philadelphia Phillies, Kalas was the best part of being a fan. Sure, you admired Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton; you watched Darren Daulton and John Kruk, hoping they would come through in the clutch; awaited Scott Rolen's next great play at third or Bobby Abreu gunning a runner out at second.
But, more often than not, they let you down. After all, they were parts of the first franchise that lost 10,000 times.
But their biggest win wasn't when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson in 1980, when Richie Ashburn gunned down Cal Abrams at the plate in 1950 or when Brad Lidge whiffed Erik Hinske last year.
The franchise's biggest victory was in the offseason of 1971, when they signed the Naperville, Ill., native to be a part of their broadcast team.
Thanks to that move, the Phillies radio booth featured Kalas and his best friend, Richie Ashburn.
The duo's affection for each other and the game was magical. You grew up on them, even if you were an adult the first time you heard them together.
Watch Kalas make his favorite call.
Ashburn, who was a Hall-of-Fame player, died during the 1997 season, while the Phillies were on a road trip to Shea Stadium.
Kalas, who, according to reports, collapsed at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon, also died with the team while on the road.
Both deaths came on days after the Phillies rallied to victories.
For Phillies fans, it's hard to say goodbye to the voice of their summers. But they have to be happy that the team won last season, giving Kalas the chance to finally pronounce, for all to hear, "The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of Baseball!"
In 1980, Kalas was not in the booth because of a broadcast agreement between Major League Baseball and the networks.
But with the World Series Championship in 2008, Kalas' career had reached its high point.
His much imitated calls - "That ball's outah' here," "He popped 'im up," "Struck him out" - are as much a part of baseball for Phillies fans as Cracker Jack, hearing the Star Spangled Banner, and score books.
But it was his accessibility that made him something special.
You could hang out at The Vet two hours before game time and be assured Kalas would sign an autograph, pose for a picture or tell you you could do what he did.
And that trait showed up over the radio.
Kalas didn't have an on-air persona. If you tuned in mid-game, you knew where the Phillies stood. If they were up, so was his baritone. If they were down, so was he.
And no matter where the Phillies stood in the standings, you always knew where he stood in your heart.
In first place.
Kalas sings "High Hopes."
It was so sad watching the game today. It definitely will never be the same.