This will probably come out the wrong way, but Phillies fans can probably look forward to some nice tributes in the next few weeks.

I enjoyed all the Skip Caray stories and blog tributes last year.  They provided an opportunity to reflect and remember, something we do not do much of these days.  I can appreciate grinding it out game after game, hopeless season after hopeless season (before the 1990s, anyways), and then looking back and finding meaning in their dedication.  I find it interesting to see what bits people remember, whether it’s yet another promotion for a late-night TBS movie with more sincerity and enthusiasm than the movie deserved, or a particularly sharp disagreement with the official scorer, because it’s important to do things the right way even if no one really cares.

Anyways, my prayers are with the Kalas family.  I don’t know much about Kalas other than the sound of his voice, but I will enjoy learning more in the coming days.

I am not ashamed to admit that as I type this tears are streaming down my face.  I am 26 years old, and to me, Harry Kalas was the Phillies.  I was at game five of last year’s World Series.  It was the best night of my life.  But just as good was when I got home and was able to hear Harry’s call that, “The Phillies are the 2008 World Champions of Baseball.”  I am so glad that his last season saw the Phillies win the World Series.  Anyone who has grown up in Philadelphia over the last 30 years or so can’t imagine Phillies baseball without Harry.  I cannot imagine being so moved by the death of someone I have never met as I am by Harry’s.  The only thing right now that keeps me smiling is knowing that Harry is on his way to that great broadcast booth in the sky where he will be re-united with Whitey, where they will smile down on Charlie Manuel and 25 other guys who love baseball as much as they and we all did and do.  RIP, Harry.