Philadelphia has lost its voice.
Harry Kallas, who was the play-by-play man for the Philadelphia Phillies since literally before I was born, has
passed away. He was 73.
Anyone who lived anywhere near Philadelphia knows his voice, if not his name. His distinctive "Outta here!" home run call is a part of sports history -- and not just Philadelphia sports history. His play-by-play work ranks right up there with anyone else, local, national, or worldwide, and I'm especially glad that he was finally able to call a World Series win for his beloved Phillies last year -- for years league rules didn't allow "local" broadcasts, so his microphone was silent in 1980.
And if there's a sports heaven, he's up there right now with Whitey, and God is happy to have His favorite broadcast team back together.