Remembering Harry

I guess you could say it was unexpected. Truth be told, we probably all knew his health was declining. For some reason though, I felt like he was going to call every single Phillies game. I thought my children were going to be able to listen him during those hot summer nights and chilly Fall evenings. I could never imagine listening to game without him. I would turn on the TV. If he wasn't there, then he would surely be on the radio.

Yesterday, I was just relaxing in my bed and then at 3 I turn on the TV to watch the Phils. Right away I knew something was wrong. Listening on the radio, it was worse. Scott Franzke and LA were so deeply hurt, but I loved hearing all the little Harry stories they had to tell. The best part by far was when Shane and Ryan went deep. Scott Franzke in his own voice and in memory of Harry the K, "and yes folks, that of course is outta here."

Everything has already been said about him. He was a wonderful man that treated everyone equally. He loved the players and the players loved him. He was baseball and he was definitely the person you wanted to hear make every call. What really made him special though? He was a fan just like all of us. David Montgomery said it best.

We have lost over voice.

We try to move on now but he'll never be forgotten. It is just so unimaginable to have to watch and listen to a baseball game without Harry's sweet voice narrating it. He mentioned in an interview that his love of baseball began when he went to see the Chicago White Sox play the Washinton Senators. "Because of the rains, the field was covered," he once said. "There was no batting practice, so the players really didn't have anything to do. Mickey Vernon popped out of the dugout, saw this wide-eyed kid -- me -- picked me up, took me in the dugout, gave me a baseball, introduced me to his teammates, and thus began my love of baseball and the Washington Senators." I guess it's only fitting that he passed away in Washington in the broadcasting booth. From now on, after every homerun, every walkoff, every spectacular defensive play, we'll all wonder how Harry would've called it.

Reggie Miller has a point!

If anyone actually watched the NBA All-star weekend, more importantly Saturday night you'd would have realized the slam dunk contest was bad. While Nate Robinson was getting ready for one of his dunks, the very wise Reggie Miller brought up the 2006 Dunk Contest and happened to mention and scream "Andre Iguodala was robbed!" Three years later and I guess I'm still not over it. It's sad but I'm glad someone brought it up and whatever. Obviously in the grand scheme of things, being a dunk champion is like nothing; I'd rather have an NBA championship team [in the near future].

Actually Nate Robinson won again; he beat Dwight Howard with 52% of the fan voting, which I think is a stupid idea. The best dunker or performer won't win. Actually the judges don't seem to be much better as they all kissed Howard's ass with his first two lame dunks that earned him perfect scores. Rudy Fernandez is not my favorite player but I thought he had a couple of pretty difficult and impressive dunks, which he earned a 42 for each one. It's become so gimmicky and less about athletism and creativity of dunks. I loved the Superman stuff from last year; it was funny and the photos from it were awesome. Other than the fact that he didn't actually dunk it, it was funny. This year was a dud all around.

Nate Robinson leap-frogged Dwight Howard and used Howard's back to actually get over him. He used his own teammate Wilson Chandler as a step stool and he did regular dunks that look more impressive than they actually are because of his height, which I don't think should be a factor in the scoring. And Nate looks like 50 cent; he just annoys me all around. Howard said it best though.

The shorter man will win in a dunk contest because it looks real hard for him and easy for me.

I already talked about Howard but other than the dunk off the 12-foot basketball net, which he made look extremely easy and the bounce of the side of the backboard for the jam, he was pretty bad. I think the Superman thing is played out. Creativity people.

JR Smith: the only thing I have to say is...Sonny Weems? Seriously? Was the ball boy not available?

Rudy Fernandez got screwed big time. First the announcers mocked his throwback jersey. He was honoring Fernando Martin. Kenny "the dick" Smith than smartly said, "Ricky Martin?" Seriously, Class A tool. I also liked that he had Pao Gasol throwing the pass. At least it was someone we all know. His two dunks were so underrated; next year, if Lebron keeps his word and enters the contest, he'll win the whole thing because everyone's going to kiss his ass. It is what is though. I am officially over it. All it took was some vindication from Reggie Miller.

Lastly just for kicks. Can you guess who this little cutie turned out to be? No answer after the jump. Just guess and then scroll down.

It's Andre of course! Look what a cutie he was and still is! I think his ears were the same size then as they are now.

Bloop

I haven't posted since November 11th but a lot's happened. Chase Utley's had hip surgery, Pat the Bat is a Tampa Bay Ray, Jamie Moyer resigned, JC was unfairly suspended, the freakin' Eagles are some how in the playoffs, and the Sixers are streaking [well does 4 in a row qualify as streaking?]! I really still can't get over the fact that the Phillies won the World Series. It's truly mind blowing. I watch the Perfect Season once every night and I'm reading Phillies Confidential [thanks meech.one and my somewhat useless knowledge of Sarge]. It's Phillies all the time except on Sundays. I really think I need more World Series stuff before it all goes away.

More importantly though, I'm so angry after reading all the stuff on Romero. It just sounds like MLB is using him as a scapegoat and trying to tell all the fans that their drug testing really does work. Losing Romero for 50 games really SUCKS. I do love that the Players Association said they thought the suspension was unfair but they understand their decision is final; 1/3 of the season is a big deal and this can't stay like this. Major League Baseball is getting away with taking our best left handed reliever out of our bullpen for 1/3 of the season. I might just have to get the FREE JC shirts from the 700level.

And the more I think about it, we were so lucky to get Brad Lidge. We gave up 2 minor league guys, Geoff Geary, and a glorified pinch runner. He was the difference. Oh and Chase looked good at this press conference [like a month ago]. And when I say good, I mean realllllyyy hot; he also walked without any noticeable limp.

Stay classy Bud Selig.

And now for a little Eagles. It's really amazing to see where they are now. After the week 16 loss to the Redskins, everyone had given up. So many things had to go right for them to even make the playoffs. Now here they are; they are ONE win away from the Superbowl. It's the year of Philadelphia I suppose. And if there's 3 people that I really want [ed] a championship for it's be Jamie Moyer, Brad Lidge, and Brian Dawkins. That last guy really deserves it. The town will just have to be painted red and green...equally.

Still on a World Series High

Nothing will upset me because the Phillies are World Champions. If you think about it though Spring Training isn't that far away; good thing baseball offseasons are relatively short. The Phillies will open the season on Sunday Night Baseball against the Braves on ESPN.

Oh and I came across this on Google. My immediate thought....do it.

Seriously though 2008 has been amazing and I want to do it again in 2009. I also have three other pictures. I found this one of Chase and Brad Lidge...orgasmic. Chase bumping fists with that little kid. Too cute for words.

Yes we ARE.

Champions

Seriously. It's been the best year of my life. The Phillies have been awesome and they all deserve it. Brad Lidge, Geoff Jenkins, Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Greg Dobbs, Chooch, Pedro Feliz, Jamie Moyer, Matt Stairs, Harry Kalas, and Charlie!

If you want to throw up, think about the fact that Adam Eaton and So-so Taguchi also get a ring. Hell if they get a ring I should too. Words can not do this justice; pictures for sheer happiness. It's seriously, seriously, awesome.

I'm not afraid of this sign anymore.

World Series!

Almost champions! 2 down, 1 very large one to go. I still haven't been able to wrap my mind around the idea that the Phillies are in the "Fall Classic." Seriously think about it. Only two teams out of 30 are still playing and the Phillies are one of those teams. Pretty crazy and surreal. The NLDS was good, the NLCS was great but now I'm hoping the World Series is astronomically amazing. Cole was the NLCS MVP (deservedly so). Game 1 tommorrow night at 8:35 on FOX; Cole Hamels vs. Scott Kazmir. Again, and again if you don't want your ears to bleed, WPHT 1210 for Harry Kalas and co.

How cute does Charlie look holding that trophy?

NLCS!

Champions! Not quite yet actually but 1 down and 2 to go. Great starting pitching and sufficient offense let the Phillies get past the Brewers. Now it's time to focus on LA who swept the heavily favored Cubs. The series starts Thursday with the likely pitching match-up of Cole Hamels for the Phillies and Derek Lowe for the Dodgers.

The game will be broadcast on FOX with the just a bit more bearable [compared to TBS] Joe Buck and Tim McCarver I think. But again if you don't want your ears to bleed out: WPHT 1210 for Harry Kalas and co.