The Phillies will honor another institution on Saturday. Harry Kalas is in his 30th season as the team's play-by-play announcer, and the club will mark the occasion during a pre-game ceremony slated for 6:30 p.m.
"I'm extremely honored," said Kalas about the event. "I guess it says that I've had some longevity in Philadelphia, but as my late, great partner (Richie Ashburn) would say, 'I can't understand what all the fuss is about.'"
Kalas arrived in 1971 and never imagined that he'd still be in Philadelphia three decades later.
"I had no idea that it would be for thirty years," he said. "In fact, I arrived under some controversy because I was told that I was going to be an extra guy in the booth, and then they let Bill Campbell go. He was a very popular sportscaster, and I've always admired Bill, so especially since I was coming in under those circumstances, I wasn't sure if I was going to last two or three years.
"I didn't really feel comfortable and feel that I was accepted in Philadelphia probably until after three years. Richie and By (Saam) were just great during those early years when I questioned myself, so it's amazing that I've been around for thirty years."
Campbell, the dean of Philadelphia sportscasters, called Phillies games during the 1960s and is currently a commentator at KYW Newsradio.
Kalas began his major-league career in 1965 announcing games for the Houston Astros, so he was already friendly with the Phillies' troika of Saam, Campbell and Ashburn.
"When I was with Houston and we played Philadelphia, I'd talk to Bill before and after games, and we'd get together for a couple of beers and talk about broadcasting, so I've always admired him," said Kalas.
"I'm not saying that I wouldn't have taken the job (to replace Campbell), but I was told that I would be an added guy, and then they let Bill go. To this day, he's been very gracious to me, and he certainly could have reacted a whole lot differently than he did."
In addition to the Phillies, Harry the K has also announced Big 5 basketball, Notre Dame football, NFL Films and Westwood One Radio Network football games. He's been named the Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 17 times, and he's frequently the master of ceremonies at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet.
He's seen many great players over the years from his perch in the broadcast booth at Veterans Stadium — too many to mention — but one in particular stands out. Kalas witnessed the entire 18-year career of hall of famer Mike Schmidt and called most of the slugger's 548 home runs. ("Watch that baby! Outta here! Home run!")
"How about that?" the announcer chortled. "That's something that's not going to happen in today's game because of player movement. To have had the honor to have seen him when he first broke in — struggling, striking out, fans booing — and then to witness his hall-of-fame career is truly a blessing. In my mind, he's the best third baseman who ever played the game. It's players like Mike Schmidt who make our jobs so much fun and exciting."
Kalas put his finger on his formula for success. The guy enjoys his job, and it comes across during broadcasts. He makes it sound easy because he's having a blast doing it.
The only tragedy during his tenure here was the death of his best friend and partner of 27 years, Rich "Whitey" Ashburn. Kalas' thoughts on his long-time partner have been well-documented. What's interesting is that he's developing a similar rapport with the new kid on the block, Larry (L.A.) Andersen, now in his third season as the color commentator.
"L.A. is a lot of fun, and he knows the game," said Kalas. "He certainly knows pitching. He's just very loose, and I think he's getting better and better."
It's the old apples-and-oranges thing, but when asked, Kalas compares the two.
"Whitey was more concerned with the game once it started," he said. "L.A. probably does more preparation than Whitey did. L.A. goes online and studies his notes and stats, but Whitey would say, 'My job starts when the game starts.' He was more into (game situations like) hit-and-run and stolen bases and that sort of thing."
Kalas turned 64 in March, but thoughts of retirement still haven't entered his mind.
"I haven't thought about it at this stage," he said. "I still really enjoy what I'm doing, so I haven't thought about retirement too much."
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