Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dead at Age 73

Harry Kalas, a longtime broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies, died Monday after he was found in the broadcast booth ahead of a game against the Washington Nationals. He was 73.

Team president David Montgomery said:

“We lost our voice today. He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization.”

Kalas was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting around 12:30pm. He was taken to a local hospital. Earlier this year he had surgery for an undisclosed ailment described as "minor".

Kalas first joined the Phillies in 1971, replacing the fan favorite Bill Campbell. He joined the radio and television broadcast team the same year the team moved into their former home, Veterans Stadium. Prior to joining the Phillies, he was on the Houston Astros broadcast team from 1965-1970, and did voiceoverwork for NFL Films and commercials.

In 2002, he was given the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for his contribution to the game.