Staff Pick
Harry Kalas had one of the most recognizable voices in the world, known and loved by millions. For nearly four decades, Kalas served as the play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies. In addition to his work with the Phils, he also served as the legendary voice behind NFL Films and did commercial work for Campbell's Chunky Soup and Coors Light. In 2002, Kalas was inducted into the broadcasters wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He passed away in April 2009, one day before he and the world champion Phillies were to be greeted at the White House by President Obama.
Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas, written by suburban Philadelphia sportswriter Randy Miller, recounts the life story of this beloved and charitable man. Kalas, blessed with a rich baritone voice, knew from a young age he wanted to be a sportscaster. Not only did he actualize his dream, but he became the summer soundtrack for an entire region. Generations of Philadelphians fell in love with Harry, and he soon became an icon for both the team and the city as a whole. Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (the greatest third baseman of all time) may have said it best: "If you can look past Ben Franklin and William Penn, Harry Kalas might have been the greatest person to ever grace Philadelphia. As many lives as he affected over the time that he lived in Philadelphia and this area, who would have a bigger impact on this city? I can't think of anybody."
Though known primarily for his work behind the microphone, Kalas also did extensive charity work, raising untold amounts of money and brightening countless lives. Admired by nearly everyone he ever met, Kalas was both generous and patient. He'd stop to sign autographs for anyone, anytime and anywhere, even if he was out dining or late for an appointment.
While the book celebrates both his personal and professional lives, it does not deify the late announcer. Instead it portrays Kalas as a real human being, replete with faults and struggles. Much is made about his two marriages, as well as his lifelong affection for cigarettes and booze. The feud he had with longtime broadcast partner Chris "Wheels" Wheeler is also given considerable attention.
Though Harry the K is the definitive Kalas biography, it is an imperfect work. Miller's prose is often repetitive, and anecdotes are retold many times throughout the book. Despite its shortcomings, Harry the K is a fitting memorial to a man cherished by millions. The book has its touching moments, however, and the final chapters are fittingly poignant. Though now in baseball heaven (calling games with Whitey Ashburn once again), Kalas will be remembered fondly by Phillies fans forever.
His legendary calls will live on in infamy:
Swing and a long drive... watch that baby... outta here, home run! Recommended By Jeremy G., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
When legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas died in April 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies organization held an allday tribute with his body laid in state at Citizens Bank Park. Tens of thousands of dedicated fans came through to pay their respects and celebrate Harry the K--the beloved play-by-play announcer for the Phillies.
According to the Baseball Hall of Fame, only Babe Ruth and broadcast great Jack Buck had ever been honored with such magnitude.
Indeed, Harry Kalas was a larger-than-life figure in the world of sports broadcasting. Considered one of the family by Philadelphians, Kalas was also one of the most recognizable voices to all Americans. Called The Voice of the NFL by NFL Films President Steve Sabol, Kalas narrated countless NFL Films productions as well as TV's longest-running NFL highlights show--Inside the NFL--for over 30 years.
But beyond his incredibly successful and diverse career, he also led an extraordinary personal life. From his childhood in Iowa to his early career in Hawaii and Houston, to his ubiquitous voice work in TV and radio, to his masterwork with the Phillies and the NFL--plus all the personal highs and lows he experienced along the way.
Harry Kalas may be Outta here , but he will never be forgotten.
Review
The Philadelphia Inquirer “Miller’s dogged reportorial skills are considerable and are on impressive display in a book that is unvarnished and unsparing, but also straightforward and balanced…Miller's book will strike chords of recognition among Phillies followers, many of whom were raised hearing 'Hard to believe, Harry.'”
Larry Kane, host of Comcast's The Voice of Reason
“This is a book I believe probably is the greatest Philadelphia sports book ever written. As a Philadelphia sports book, there is nothing better than this. This is the real stuff. This is not just who, what, when, where and why, but how and why it happened.”
Angelo Cataldi, 610-WIP Morning Show Host
"I loved Harry Kalas before I read this book, and I love him more after reading it."
Queens Chronicle
"'Harry the K' is one of the best biographies, period, to hit the market in years."
The Trentonian
“Kalas’ life was recently depicted in a terrific book by Randy Miller, ‘Harry the K.’ I rarely do book endorsements, but it was a great literary monument to the man, myth and legend that he was, and it didn’t pull any punches about his personal life.”
Atlantic City Weekly
“Harry the K’s high hopes and career highlights are all here in a fascinating read for Phillies’ fans."
phillyBurbs.com
“A must for anyone who grew up with Harry.”
Review
The Philadelphia Inquirer “Miller’s dogged reportorial skills are considerable and are on impressive display in a book that is unvarnished and unsparing, but also straightforward and balanced…Miller's book will strike chords of recognition among Phillies followers, many of whom were raised hearing 'Hard to believe, Harry.'”
Larry Kane, host of Comcast's The Voice of Reason
“This is a book I believe probably is the greatest Philadelphia sports book ever written. As a Philadelphia sports book, there is nothing better than this. This is the real stuff. This is not just who, what, when, where and why, but how and why it happened.”
Angelo Cataldi, 610-WIP Morning Show Host
"I loved Harry Kalas before I read this book, and I love him more after reading it."
Queens Chronicle
"'Harry the K' is one of the best biographies, period, to hit the market in years."
The Trentonian
“Kalas’ life was recently depicted in a terrific book by Randy Miller, ‘Harry the K.’ I rarely do book endorsements, but it was a great literary monument to the man, myth and legend that he was, and it didn’t pull any punches about his personal life.”
Atlantic City Weekly
“Harry the K’s high hopes and career highlights are all here in a fascinating read for Phillies’ fans."
phillyBurbs.com
“A must for anyone who grew up with Harry.”
Synopsis
To Philadelphia Phillies fans, he was the soundtrack of summer. To millions of football fans across America, he was the “Voice of the NFL.” And as open and giving as Harry Kalas was throughout his professional and personal life, there are countless layers of the man that have remained unknown . . . until now.
Author Randy Miller interviewed more than 160 people—including all of Harry’s surviving family, many of his close friends from childhood to present, numerous colleagues from baseball and the NFL, and even Harry’s longtime personal psychologist—to craft a loving and shockingly honest portrayal of one of the most celebrated broadcasters in the history of sports.
With incredible details from all phases of his life—from his upbringing in the Chicago suburbs, to his Hall of Fame broadcasting career in baseball, to his ubiquitous voiceover work with the NFL, to his personal vices for drinking and women, to his legendary friendship with Richie “Whitey” Ashburn, to his ongoing feud with on-air partner Chris Wheeler—Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas will surprise, delight, and enlighten all fans of the man they called “Harry the K.”
Synopsis
The Man Behind the Mike
About the Author
Randy Miller has covered the Phillies for suburban Philadelphia newspapers
Bucks County Courier Times,
Doylestown Intelligencer and
Burlington County Times since 1996. He has spent countless hours in ballparks, press boxes, and hotel bars with Harry Kalas and others in the Phillies organization. A native of Jeannette, Pa., Miller resides outside Philadelphia in Fairless Hills, Pa.