April 13: The Phillies Voice is Silenced

The Main Event

April 13, 2009 – While preparing for a game in Washington, broadcaster Harry Kalas dies in the press box at Nationals Park. The Phillies decide to play the game, and beat the home team 9-8.

For generations of fans, Harry Kalas was the sound of baseball in Philadelphia. He joined the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast booth in 1971 and stayed there for nearly four decades, becoming as much a part of the franchise as any player. His deep, resonant voice and signature home run call, “That ball is outta here,” became woven into the rhythm of summers at Veterans Stadium and later Citizens Bank Park.

Kalas called some of the most important moments in franchise history, including the 2008 World Series championship. His call of the final out in 2008 remains one of the most cherished pieces of audio in Philadelphia sports. Beyond the booth, he was known for his warmth, professionalism, and connection with fans. He wasn’t just describing the game. He was part of the experience.

The Day Everything Changed

On April 13, 2009, what began as a normal game day took a shocking turn. Kalas collapsed in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., before a game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals. Emergency personnel rushed to his aid, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. He was 73 years old.

There were no widely known signs that Kalas was seriously ill leading up to that day. By most accounts, he had been working as usual and did not appear to be in distress. Some colleagues later mentioned that he had occasionally seemed tired, but nothing that suggested an imminent health crisis. His sudden passing stunned not only fans but also those closest to him in the organization.

The Decision to Play

One of the immediate questions that followed was whether the game should be played. The Phillies and Major League Baseball faced a difficult decision in real time. Ultimately, the choice was made to proceed with the game that evening.

Several factors went into that decision. The timing of Kalas’ passing, just hours before first pitch, left little room for a coordinated postponement. There were also logistical considerations involving travel schedules and the broader MLB calendar. Most importantly, there was a sense within the organization that Kalas, a consummate professional who rarely missed a game, would have wanted baseball to go on.

Players and staff were informed before the game, and the emotional weight was evident. The Phillies lost that night, but the result felt secondary. What stood out more was the visible grief and shock among players, coaches, and broadcasters.

Immediate Reaction and Filling the Void

The immediate aftermath was marked by both heartbreak and professionalism. In the Phillies television booth, Tom McCarthy, who had already been part of the broadcast team, stepped into a more prominent role. Chris Wheeler, another longtime voice associated with the team, also helped carry the broadcasts forward in the days that followed. It was not about replacing Kalas, which was impossible, but about honoring him by continuing the work he loved.

Back in Philadelphia, tributes began almost instantly. Fans gathered at Citizens Bank Park, leaving flowers, notes, and memorabilia at makeshift memorials. The Phillies organization moved quickly to plan a formal tribute, which would come a few days later in a deeply emotional ceremony before a home game.

The reaction to Kalas’ death was profound and widespread. In Philadelphia, it felt like losing a family member. Fans who had grown up listening to him shared stories of summer nights by the radio or television, his voice providing a constant through decades of change.

Players, both past and present, spoke openly about his impact. Mike Schmidt called him one of the most important figures in franchise history. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, key members of the 2008 championship team, expressed how much his presence meant in the clubhouse and beyond.

The organization honored him with a black “HK” patch on their uniforms, and his empty chair in the broadcast booth became a powerful symbol during the tribute game. When the Phillies returned home, the ceremony included highlights of his calls, moments of silence, and an overwhelming response from the crowd.

Lasting Legacy

In the years since his passing, Kalas’ legacy has only grown. His voice still echoes in highlight reels and memories, and his role in shaping the identity of Phillies baseball remains undeniable. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award winner, a recognition of his excellence in broadcasting.

What stands out most is how sudden his loss felt and how deeply it resonated. There was no long goodbye, no gradual transition. One day he was there, calling the game as he always had, and the next he was gone. The reaction that followed showed just how much he meant, not only as a broadcaster but as a steady, familiar presence in the lives of so many.

Please leave your memories and comments on what Harry Kalas meant to you as a Phillies fan. We all have great memories of him and we would love to hear yours.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 13

• April 13, 1910 – Released second baseman/pitcher Kid Gleason.
• April 13, 1921 – In the season opener for the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth goes 5 for 5, as New York and Carl Mays beat the Philadelphia Athletics, 11 – 1.
• April 13, 1926 – In one of the greatest Opening Day pitchers’ duels ever, Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators defeats Eddie Rommel and the Philadelphia Athletics, 1 – 0, in a 15-inning battle. The game will set the record for longest opening day contest until 2012, when the Blue Jays and Indians play 16 innings.
• April 13, 1955 – Robin Roberts holds the Giants hitless through eight innings, but they break through for two runs in the ninth. It was good enough for a 4-2 win.
• April 13, 1966 – Purchased Steve Ridzik from Washington. Ridzik had started his career with the Phillies before being traded to Cincinnati.
• April 13, 1973 – Larry Christenson makes his major-league debut, throwing a complete-game victory vs. the Mets.
• April 13, 1981 – More than 60,000 fans show up for the home opener and watch the Phillies raise the championship banner and the players get their world series rings. Jim Bunning throws out the first ball, and Steve Carlton picks up his 250th career victory in a 5-1 win over the Pirates.
• April 13, 1981 – Mike Schmidt and George Brett appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
• April 13, 1982 – Signed free agent Tim Corcoran, who spent the ’82 season and most of the 1983 season at Triple-A, but played in a total of 205 games with the Phillies in 1984 and ’85.
• April 13, 1983 – Trailing 9-5 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies give up two quick outs then load the bases. After Bill Robinson drew a bases loaded walk to cut the deficit to 9-6, Bo Diaz hit a grand slam for a 10-9 win over the Mets.
• April 13, 1984 – Pete Rose of the Montreal Expos gets his 4,000th hit, a double off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jerry Koosman, to join Ty Cobb as the only major leaguers to reach 4,000 career hits. The hit comes exactly 21 years after Rose delivered his first hit.
• April 13, 2003 – The Phils score 13 runs in the fourth inning — but none in any other frame — in a victory over the Reds, setting the team record for runs in an inning. The Phillies drew eight walks in that inning.
• April 13, 2019 – Visiting Rochester, the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs take 10 innings to earn a 20-18 win. There were 43 hits and 15 home runs, including two each from 4 Iron Pigs.

ICYMI

• PBN Extra Innings – The Sunday Seven: 7 Non-Baseball Injuries That Kept Players Out of the Lineup (subscription req’d.)

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 13

• Mark Leiter (born 1963) – Made 31 starts for the 1997 Phillies and 69 relief appearances in 1998. Lost a major league high 17 games and allowed a major league high 115 earned runs in 1997 when he posted a 5.67 ERA. The following season as a reliever he posted a 3.55 ERA.
• Wes Chamberlain (born 1966) – Played four-plus seasons with the Phillies beginning in 1990. Hit 38 home runs and drove in 146 runs while hitting .260/.302/.436/.738 in his Phillies career.
• Hunter Pence (born 1983) – Acquired from Houston at the trade deadline in 1991, Pence would play 155 games with the Phillies over two seasons, hitting 28-94-.289/.357/.486/.843 in his time in Philadelphia.

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