National Sports Journalism Center

"The Voice. First, and always, there was The Voice," Bill Lyons writes, adding, "Marinated by a million drinks, smoke-cured by two million cigarettes, The Voice was a distinctive, soothing, resonant baritone pleasing to the ear, and evoking emotions of calm and reassurance. The Voice was fully in charge and would guide us through whatever peril lurked in the night. For almost 40 full seasons and more than 6,000 games, The Voice was inextricably linked to the professional baseball team of Philadelphia. And vice versa. Theirs was a love affair that endured – Harry Kalas and the Phillies – Harry the K and the Fightin’s. Let no man put them asunder. He achieved iconic status in his lifetime, which ended early last spring with his passing at 73. In a most appropriate and poignant sentiment, Phillies president David Montgomery said: ‘We have lost our voice. Now, 11 months later, comes a biography: Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas.”’