Astrological sign: Libra (The Scales)



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MORE ABOUT ME...

I joined this wiki because: I followed you idiots over from the old wiki

The best word to describe me is: intelligent

Interests: Baseball, Science Fiction, Video Games, Good literature, Cooking,

Favorite movies: Aliens, The Good The Bad And The Ugly, Kelly's Heroes, The Searchers, The Wild Bunch, Battleground,

Favorite TV shows:

My hero(es):

My superpower is:

If I could live anywhere, it would be:

My dream job(s):

What else you should know about me:

On April 13th, 2009 a man died in Washington, DC. His name was Harry Kalas. He was the broadcaster for a baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. We called him The Voice. His baritone musings during triumph and tragedy overlay every memory I have of watching my favorite baseball team on TV. I can still hear his homerun calls, which no one ever said better.

Harry was the kind of man that could make friends with everyone. You'd walk up to him and instantly you'd like the man, his voice, his charm. He was always approachable, he'd always say hi and chat. I met him once when I was in High School. Of all things, it happened while I was at a bowling alley with my father. We chatted for a few minutes, and as a joke Harry did a play by play when my father threw a bowling ball down the alley. We doubled over in laughter.

For myself and for the city of Philadelphia, we are in mourning now. We feel as though we've lost a family friend. All my life I heard Harry's voice call Phillies games. The players would change, the owners would change. Even the stadium changed. But Harry was always the constant. You'd hear the exultation in his voice when Mike Schmidt, Hall of Fame Third Baseman, would hit a homerun, or the agony of seeing the Phils blow a lead and losing a close game. He'd be there with us, in our homes, jumping in joy when we'd win, or moaning when we'd lose. For 31 years he was the voice, and we would listen.

When I heard the news yesterday, I had to leave the lab. I work close to Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles ballpark. I walked to the stadium, where they let passersby travel the concourse, and I walked to a gate where I could overlook the field. I was alone, and then a memory of Harry calling a homerun hit me.

And I started to cry. I cried for a good ten minutes. While I was in tears, I started speaking to Harry. I told him I loved hearing his voice. I told him he was always the Voice for me, that through all the players and the games he was the constant. I told him that I'd miss him, that it would never be the same without him. Because nobody did it better. I told him that every memory I have of the Phillies on TV has his voice.

And then I saw a bird fly up and away from the stadium seats nearby. I said Goodbye to Harry. I told him that now he'd get to call a game with Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and the rest. I told him that hopefully, God willing, I'd be up there with him someday, watching Heaven's version of the Major Leagues.

As I walked out of the Stadium, another memory came to me. Harry's favorite song was High Hopes. He'd sing it during the few times when the Phillies would win something of note, when they won the 1993 National League title. I was present at the ballpark when the Phillies won the 2007 Eastern Division Title. After the game, and some celebrating in the lockerroom, Harry lead the players back onto the field, where they started celebrating with the fans still at the field. He stood at homeplate and starting signing High Hopes. We all joined in.

I've had the tune stuck in my head ever since. It was Harry's life philosophy in a way. You have to have High Hopes. Come what may with our series, we all have to have High Hopes.

So, for Harry, I'm going to leave this portion of my profile unchanged. It's the least I can do for a man who's given me so many memories and was a part of my life for so long.

Harry Kalas 1936-2009. Rest in Piece friend.
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