Tag: Philadelphia Phillies

Harry Kalas

His voice was deep and multi-tonal with the syrup of a southern accent, though he was from Naperville, Illinois. He did not have the precise pronunciation classically associated with the big v/o talent. He had excitement. His call was always in-the-game.

Harry_kalas_with_whitey_1980.JPGI am obsessed with voices. It’s an insecurity thing. When I was in radio the tone of my voice was often called into question. My station in Philadelphia considered electronically lowering the pitch when I moved to mornings so I’d sound like an adult.

I follow voices. I listen to commercials and promos and know who I am listening to. Oh–Randy Thomas, or Will Lyman, or Hal Douglas, or Rick Allison. I recognize their work.

We lost one of those voices yesterday when Harry Kalas collapsed in the Washington National’s press box and later died. Kalas was the voice of Notre Dame football, NFL Films, Campbell’s Chunky Soup and most importantly, the Phillies. He’d been called the games nearly 40 years.

His voice was deep and multi-tonal with the syrup of a southern accent, though he was from Naperville, Illinois. He did not have the precise pronunciation classically associated with the big v/o talent. He had excitement. His call was always in-the-game.

Baseball play-by-play must be a great job. Those who do it often do it long past the point others have retired. Kalas was 73.

I used to enjoy listening to the Phillies games as Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn would chat-it-up. Often the Phil’s had less than a stellar team, but the conversations (sometimes only peripherally attached to baseball) that surounded the balls-and-strikes made it interesting and kept me involved.

Every baseball broadcaster seems to have a signature call. For Kalas it was, “Swing…and a long drive, watch this baby, outta here! Home run .” I wish I could have written those words as spoken. When Kalas said them they were a brightly lit, oversize exclamation point.

Harry Kalas will be missed. I don’t like change.

The Phillies Win It All

“You know Geoff,” I’ve been told a dozen times in the last few days, “These are Philadelphia fans who threw snowballs at Santa.”

The Phillies won the World Series. It’s strange that I, a well documented Phillies fan, should be so late to the game with this news. They beat Tampa last night to win the Series 4-1. Helaine and I are very happy-obviously.

It’s a shame this series was touted as uninteresting–played between two teams that no one cared about. Yes, that did diminish my enjoyment. I probably shouldn’t be so shallow, but I am. It was actually a well played series by two really good teams.

“You know Geoff,” I’ve been told a dozen times in the last few days, “these are Philadelphia fans who threw snowballs at Santa.” Enough. I moved to Philly in 1975 and it was legend before my arrival. Let it go. The city would have gotten paroled for manslaughter sooner!

I am impressed with many of the Phillies individually. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are bright guys. It’s a pleasure to hear them interviewed. Charlie Manuel is a steady hand who never seems to panic–especially in situations where I would.

Helaine especially likes Chris Coste (who didn’t get an at-bat during the World Series), backup catcher and author of “The 33 Year Old Rookie.” After reading his book, she sent him an email which he answered. Yes–that makes a difference.

Based on place of birth I should be a Mets fan. In fact my folks took my sister and me to Shea Stadium a few weeks before it opened in the early 60s. We got to stroll the outifield on that sunny Sunday afternoon. For an apartment dweller, that beautiful expanse of emerald green grass was exquisitely foreign.

But it was Philadelphia where I realized I wasn’t a kid any more. It’s where I worked the second half of the seventies. I was there at “The Vet” for the 1977 National League Playoffs when the fans intimidated Bert Hooten with the loudest crowd noise I’ve ever heard.

Of course, Philadelphia is also where I met rabid Phillies fan Helaine.

The fun of a World Series win is short lived. Pitchers and catchers report in February. At that point it’s, “what have you done for me lately?” The anguish will start again.

World Series Game Three With Helaine

As you can imagine, tonight is pretty special. The Phils are in the World Series and Helaine is hanging on every pitch.

“IT’S LIKE TRYING TO TELL A STRANGER ‘BOUT ROCK AND ROLL” – John Sebastian/Loving Spooful

Sebastian knew there are certain things in life that are indescribable–you talk about them anyway. Such is Helaine’s love of sports. She will watch any NFL game and most baseball games. She roots Philadelphia exclusively and the Eagles and Phillies religiously.

She understands the minutiae that goes on–the game within the game. I’m not sure any other friend has ever had her deep grasp. She’s always ahead of the announcers on strategy–always.

As you can imagine, tonight is pretty special. The Phils are in the World Series and Helaine is hanging on every pitch. It is very intense.

Being with her on a night like tonight is a lot of fun. Her love of sports is one of her most endearing qualities.

World Series Makes Rupert Cry

I would guess the expectation is for low World Series ratings… meaning lower promotional effectiveness… meaning lower newscast ratings on the Fox affiliates. It’s a vicious cycle.

Helaine and I are thrilled the Phillies are in the World Series. For Fox Sports it’s not a glamour matchup. I would guess the expectation is for low World Series ratings… meaning lower promotional effectiveness… meaning lower newscast ratings on the Fox affiliates. It’s a vicious cycle.

My friend Peter sums it up best in this email:

As you know I’m not much of a sports fan but that doesn’t mean I have no knowledge of what’s going on. I’ve at least heard of the major teams and some of the players even if I don’t follow them. That said, in the upcoming World Series the Phillies are playing against a team that I have never even heard of before today.

Record low ratings are on-the-way.

To The World Series

As Helaine answered I said the magic words: “Put another one in the win column for the Fightin’ Phils.”

nlcs.jpgI stayed in the newsroom for the final out. The Phillies beat the Dodgers and with that go to the World Series. There were so many times I thought this would never happen.

I plucked the cellphone out of my pocket and held down “9.” As Helaine answered I said the magic words: “Put another one in the win column for the Fightin’ Phils.”

One of the Phillies’ announcers used to say that. He’s gone from the team now, but the phrase lives on.

Helaine couldn’t stay to talk. Stef was on the other line from college. She’d been watching the game too and wanted to share the bottom of the ninth with her mom. Stefanie, do you know how good that made your mother feel?

I later heard Stef watched the presidential debate first. One for Helaine and one for me. Good child.

The Phillies open the World Series, probably at that really ugly stadium in Tampa, next Wednesday. It’s all very exciting.

Earlier today I asked Helaine if the Phillies’ season would be a success if they just got to the World Series? No answer. The pressure’s on.

Sweating To The Phillies

If I wasn’t here the sound would be off. She’d be watching the game, but not listening. She is that intense.

I’m a sports fan–much more now than when I was younger. This is totally the fault because of Helaine. She is “the” sports fan in our family. It was Helaine who brought the subscription to Sports Illustrated into our relationship. It was she who shared Phillies season ticket plans with her dad. I was an Eagles season ticket holder, but the short season makes that much less of a commitment.

We are spending the evening watching the Phillies/Brewers playoff game on TV. Right now the Phils are behind. However, Helaine’s persona during a game is not lead dependent. Each pitch, no matter the score, is pivotal and cause for anguish.

She will poo poo this, but I’ve never watched a game with anyone who had more insight. Helaine watches and comments… and often the TV voices comment behind her.

It’s the bottom of the 7th and the Phils are down 4-1. If I wasn’t here the sound would be off. She’d be watching the game, but not listening. She is that intense.

I brag to my friends about having a sports fan wife. They are often very jealous–as well they should be. Not many people are married to a woman whose perfect Sunday is spent in pajamas, on the sofa, watching the NFL.

Waiting Up For Me

Usually, when I come home from work, Helaine is already asleep. I understand her plight. Light sleeping Helaine needs to get some quality pillow time before “Snoring Geoff” comes to bed.

Last night, as I pulled in front of our house, I noticed a light on in the family room. She was awake, and I knew why.

Sitting on the sofa, Helaine had her laptop running with the Phillies game on. As is often her custom in a close game, the sound was down.

Just in case you’re not a baseball fan, let me get you caught up. The Phils began the season by losing nearly a month’s worth of games. As spring progressed, it was easy to see the Phils weren’t going to have a good year.

As poorly as the Phillies played, the Mets were their opposite. They were steamrolling through the regular season and by the first days of summer, post season play seemed inevitable.

And then it changed!

I’m not sure how, but the Phillies have clawed their way back. It’s obviously been done with smoke and mirrors, because they don’t have any relief pitching. I say that and I’m a fan!

So, as we stand now, the Phillies are tantalizingly close to catching the Mets, but the season is dwindling. That’s why last night’s game against St. Louis was keeping Helaine up.

The Phillies went ahead in the top of the 9th only to give up the lead in the bottom of the inning. The 9th became the 10th and then the 11th. With every Cardinal batter we feared… no, we knew, the wheels would come off the cart and the Phillies would lose.

They didn’t.

In the 14th inning and out of position players, the Phillies scored three, held on and won! Jose Mesa, the General Custer of closers, pitched two flawless innings.

Poor Helaine. For her, it was the middle of the night!

Odds are we’ll end the season disappointed. The Phils are still 1&#189 games out of first and 1&#189 games behind the San Diego Padres for the Wild Card. They need to catch up to play on, and with other teams in front, it’s might be out of their control.

Right now, it’s just fun rooting for them. They seem to want to win.

It was also very nice to see my wife when I got home. Thanks Phils.

Football Grief

I hadn’t mentioned it here yet, but if you missed it, the Phillies missed the playoffs by one game. That is the kind of result Philadelphia fans expect. It is our destiny.

What brings this up now is the Eagles – Dallas Cowboys game I’m watching. It’s not that the Eagles are losing… they are losing as if they never got off the team bus.

As I write, the score is 30-10. It’s not that close.

This is a team sport. You would think on any given week some players would be good, others would be bad. Not so. This week everyone seems to be awful.

Here’s the stupid part. Why is this so upsetting to me? I shouldn’t be so concerned. I am.

This will stick with me all week… actually two weeks. The Eagles have the ‘bye’ to replay this over and over again.

We’re Loving mlb.com

I just finished watching the end of the Phillies/Braves game. The game’s been over for hours. I already knew the score. That made it even sweeter to watch.

Helaine and I have always felt the Atlanta announcers are the biggest homers on TV. So, I listened to their speculation while smiling.

The fact that I could watch these few minutes of the game (or all of it had I chosen to do so) is one of the reasons I’m so happy we have mlb.com.

When I tell people we watch games on the computer, they all ask the same two questions.

Is it jerky? Sometimes, but mostly no.

Is it tiny on the screen? It certainly isn’t full screen, but you aren’t sitting across the room. On a laptop, or my desktop, the video is a comfortable size and all the screen text is clear.

Skipping ahead to the end of the game was as easy as sliding the timing bar with my mouse. The broadcast picked up almost instantaneously. I had guessed where the bottom of the 10th would fall, and I guessed well.

I only wish we could pick which broadcast we watch. On radio, you can pick the home or away team. With the video telecast, their choice. I’d rather have my homers calling the game than theirs.