PSWA Dinner

Harry Kalas was awarded the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s Living Legend award at the 104th annual awards dinner on Jan. 28, 2008.

The following article, written by Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, was printed in the PSWA program book for the 104th dinner.

By Tom McCarthy / Phillies Announcer /
It is amazing when you think about it, these gifts that we are given. When they arrive — and in this case the year was 1971 when one of Philadelphia’s greatest gifts came in the form of a slick-looking, 35-year-old with a baritone voice from Naperville, Ill. — you don’t always think much of their initial sports or personal value. As the years move on, though, and a variety of summer memories are recorded on a daily, poetic, basis, the value of the gift increases and is cherished more and more.

The gift, who in this case just keeps on giving to all Philadelphia sports fans, is Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, the eternal voice of the Phillies. Tonight, surrounded by some of the greatest athletes and personalities to grace the ball fields, hard courts or rinks in Philadelphia,Harry is being honored as a “Living Legend” by the distinguished panel of Philadelphia sportswriters. It is an honor that is, truly, well-deserved in so many ways, but mostly because of the person.

Although this will be my first year back in Philadelphia after two years in New York, my memories of Harry are not only fresh, but they are ones that I look forward to adding to in the years to come. As a young broadcaster, each of us would like to develop into the kind of announcer that will be enveloped by the fan-base of a city or team. Well, to say Harry has been enveloped by the city of Philadelphia is an understatement. This gift, as I have called him many times before, is not only a Hall of Fame broadcaster, but he is, indeed, a Hall of Fame person.

When I talk to young broadcasters about Harry, I always acknowledge his wonderful voice, passed on to him by his beloved father, and I make it a point to highlight his ability to pick the right words at the right time. I always go beyond that, though, and go right to the heart of the man and explain what I think is the most important part of Harry’s legend. It is the way he relates to the fans. It doesn’t matter if we are standing outside of a hotel in Cincinnati or Petco Park in San Diego, Harry will always make time for the fans. He will recite their favorite Philly names, like Michael Jack Schmidt or Micky Morandini, or he will let your friends or family members know that you are like “a long drive, outta here!” so leave a message after the tone.

It is what makes him the Philadelphia Legend that we honor tonight. A gift from Illinois, but a true Philadelphia icon. Thank you, Harry.