Like many people in the Delaware Valley and around the world, the loss of Harry Kalas is a crushing blow. The Philadelphia Phillies identity began with Karry Kalas. He was more than just a broadcaster. He was the quintessential broadcaster that opposing players admired and couldn’t wait to hear their homerun or significant play called by Harry. He was that important to the game.

On Saturday, April 18th, thousands of Philly fans paid tribute to the man. Harry’s casket laid in state at home plate in Citizens Bank Park, allowing the public to pay their respects. A grateful community appreciated the time and effort by the Phillies organization, and to the Kalas family for allowing the public event. He was one of us, so it was a fitting farewell to such a personable man.

I was only able to watch the tribute on TV, though my heart was with the crowd in the stands. It was a nice parade of guest speakers, including current Philly Jamie Moyer and former Philly Michael Jack Schmidt, to name a few. The moment I lost my emotional control - and I tear up just thinking about it as I write - was when the players, media members and front office staff lined up in two lines on the first base side and passed the casket down the line, all the while Simon & Garfunkle’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters played throughout the stadium. At the end of the line, several players, Utley, Howard, Victorino included, and Charlie Manual, placed the casket in the hearse and we watched it drive off. Not a dry eye in the place.

While I’ve never met this man, it was like losing an Uncle. When I moved to the Philly area in 1977, he was the voice that I heard over the transistor radio under my covers. For 30 plus years he was the one constant I had with my Phillies. My only regret is that I didn’t get to meet him, because from all the stories I’ve heard over the past week, he’s someone I wish I could have known.

I hope heaven is a better place now that he is there, reunited with Whitey, because here on Earth, we miss him!

RIP Harry…