Frick winner Kalas coming to Hall
COOPERSTOWN – Harry Kalas, the 2002 Ford C. Frick Award winner, will be the featured subject of the June Voices of the Game event at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Saturday, June 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets for this evening were first available Monday. The event is open exclusively to members of the Hall of Fame and Museum. Kalas, 71, has broadcast Philadelphia Phillies games since 1971, sharing the microphone with Hall of Fame outfielder Richie Ashburn for 26 of his 36 seasons in Philadelphia before Ashburn’s death in 1997. Kalas has been honored as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 18 times and is the eighth-longest tenured active broadcaster in baseball, now in his 42nd year. He began his career with the Houston Astros from 1965-1970. Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets must be reserved in advance by calling 607-547-0397, and seating is limited. The event is hosted by baseball broadcast historian Curt Smith and features a discussion of Kalas’ career, in addition to a question-and-answer session. A photo opportunity with Kalas follows the event. Kalas has made several notable calls throughout his career, with his signature phrase “Outta Here!” a Philadelphia classic. Kalas has broadcast six no-hitters, all of Mike Schmidt’s 548 career home runs, including his 500th home run, April 18, 1987, all of Steve Carlton’s starts from 1972 to 1986, as well as making the “first” calls at three ballparks – the Houston Astrodome on April 12, 1965, Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium on April 10, 1971, and at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on April 12, 2004. The remaining installments of the 2007 Voices of the Game series will feature Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt (Sept. 2) and Fergie Jenkins (Oct. 6); Award-winning musician and composer Randy Newman (July 12); Ford C. Frick Award-winning broadcasters Milo Hamilton (Aug. 4) and Jaime Jarrin (Nov. 3); as well as legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg, Aug. 18. Voices of the Game programs are made possible by the support of the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, WMHT Albany, XM Satellite Radio and the Otsego County Bed Tax Grant Program.
|