Phillies lose their voice: Harry Kalas passes away

As a lifelong Phillies fan who grew up in Philadelphia, there were two things that I missed dearly when I moved to Ohio seven years ago. One was watching the Phillies. Even more than that, I missed hearing the voice of Harry Kalas.

Growing up, Kalas was a regular visitor to my living room. His deep, baritone voice brought life to baseball games like no other announcer could.

Calls like "swing and a miss, struck him out to end the ballgame" made simple times like winning a baseball game into magical moments.

Kalas had a voice that drew people to baseball. His voice was recognizable, immitated by many, and loved by baseball fans across the country. He added excitement to games throughout long summers. His calls were memorable.

Phillies president David Montgomery said that the Phillies lost their voice today.

Kalas joined the Phillies in 1971. He was not only the voice of the Phillies. He was the Phillies.

Generation after genration grew up listening to Kalas.

He was famous for calls like, "Swing and a long drive. Watch that baby. Outta here!"

To this day, I still remember calls word for word from 1993 when the Phillies won the National League. I remember game one agains the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS. With the game tied at one in the 10th inning and John Kruk on second, Kim Batiste connected for a game winning hit. "Swing, a hard groundball, basehit, basehit, down the leftfield line. Kruk scores. Phils win 4-3 on the RBI hit by Kim Batiste!"

I remember the call in game six when the Phillies won the pennent. "Now the stretch, the 3-2 pitch. "Swing and a miss! Struck him out! The Phillies are the '93 National League Champions! Mitch Williams, a 1-2-3 save and this place is bedlam at Veterans Stadium."

I'll always remember Mike Schmidt's 500th home run. "Swing and a long drive... there it is... No. 500, the career 500th home run for Michael Jack Schmidt and the Phillies have regained the lead at Pittsburgh 8 to 6."

I'll always remember when the Phillies won the NL East in 2007. I watched the call over and over on-line. "Curve ball, struck him out. The Phillies are National League East champions. Look at the scene on the field. Look at the scene in the stands. This is incredible. The Phillies are National Leagues East champions and going to the postseason for the first time since 1993. Wow!"

And the same for 2008. "The pitch to Zimmerman... ground ball up the middle... J-roll dives... to Utley one.. relay... double play. The Phillies are the National League Eastern Division champions on a spectacular double play by J-roll to Utley to Howard. What a play by J-roll!"

Kalas was not just a part of the media. He was a part of the team, friendly with players and fans alike.

He will be remembered for the nicknames he gave Phillies players. Lenny Dykstra was known as The Dude. Mitch Williams was known as Mitchie-poo. Schmidt was known as Michael Jack Schmidt.

"I know I can speak for the Phillies when I say Harry Kalas was loved by everyone," Hall of Fame third baseman Schmidt said. "All of us could relate to our daily confrontations with his smile, his charm and his warmth. He spread his passion for people, and baseball, all over the country for almost 50 years. His voice will resonate in my mind the rest of my life. I will never be called 'Michael Jack' again without seeing his smile."

Kalas died doing what he loved. He was in the booth preparing for today's Phillies game against the Nationals when he was found unconscious around 12:30. He was pronounced dead at 1:20.

There are momments in life where you will always remember where you were when you got news. I will never forget looking online today and my heart dropping at the headline that Kalas had passed away.

It was like losing a friend that I grew up with and loved listening to.

Kalas had the opportunity to experince one last breath of jubulation this past October, when the Phillies won their second World Series in their 125 year history. Kalas also called their championship in 1980. But it was the 2008 call that I will always remember Kalas for.

"One strike away, nothing-and-two the count to Hinske. Fans on their feet, rally towels are being waved.... Brad Lidge stretches ... the 0-2 pitch ... swing and a miss! Struck him out! ... The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! Brad Lidge does it again and stays perfect for the 2008 season, 48-for-48 in save opportunities and let the city celebrate!"