Kalas and Fidrych: Two of two kinds

by Scott Christ on Apr 14, 2009 12:45 AM EDT in News & Rumors

The recent tragic loss of 22-year old Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels was more than tough enough for the baseball community. Today, two more were lost as legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas and ex-Tigers phenom Mark "The Bird" Fidrych both died.

The 73-year old Kalas passed out in the broadcast booth prior to the Phillies game against the Nationals today. He was rushed to the hospital, but did not survive. Kalas had been the voice of the Phillies since 1971. It is unlikely in this day and age that the Phillies will ever again have such a long-running, distinctive play-by-play voice. Kalas is a member of a fraternity that is thinning all the time. The old game-callers are getting fewer and fewer.

Kalas' World Series final out call last year:

One strike away; nothing-and-two, the count to Hinske. Fans on the 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 watch the city celebrate! Don't let the 48-hour wait diminish the euphoria of this moment, and the celebration. And it has been 28 years since the Phillies have enjoyed a World Championship; 25 years in this city with a team that has enjoyed a World Championship, and the fans are ready to celebrate. What a night!

His final call ever, from April 12, 2009:

Bouncing ball to Chase Utley, this should be the game, Chase throws him out and that will be it as the Phil's win 2 out of 3 here at Coors Field, coming back to take this one by a score of 7 to 5.

To say Kalas will be missed by Phils fans is an understatement. Fans are sharing their comments over at The Good Phight.

Sadly, on the exact same day, 54-year old Mark Fidrych was found dead on his farm in Massachusetts. He is believed to have died working on a 10-wheel dump truck.

Fidrych, of course, was the 1976 AL Rookie of the Year for the Detroit Tigers, going 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA and 24 complete games. He finished second to Jim Palmer in the Cy Young voting that year.

Fidrych was famous for his huge personality. He talked to the ball, was maybe more animated than anyone in MLB history, and was pretty well loved by just about everyone. I was negative-six years old in '76, but just watching clips of Fidrych over the years, he seemed like a 21-year old kid having the time of his life and showing it as much as he possibly could.

"The Bird" never had another good season, suffering through injuries. His final game came on October 1, 1980. He tried to make a comeback with the Red Sox, but never got out of the minor leagues.

I dare say there is no player ever that really did so little (29-19 career, 412 IP) that has been so memorable, so beloved and such an enduring star.

Farewell to both men, neither soon to be forgotten.

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Very nicely put.

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.

by Titov on Apr 14, 2009 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Great tributes to both men

Thanks!

I saw Fidrych as a kid and didn’t realize what a historic moment it was. It was toward the middle of his sophmore season, day game at Memorial. I remember my then-hero Lee May and the boys hitting him hard. Later I learned on his ESPN bio that it was in that very game that he first felt his arm go dead — it was the beginning of the end. He was fun to watch, even at the moment of flaming out. A great spirit that briefly manifested great talent.

I know Kalas only by his huge reputation, but remembering how I felt when Chuck Thompson left us, my heart goes out to all the Phila fans who are feeling that way today.

Has there ever been a cooler Oriole than Eddie Murray? I mean, just straight up cool. Like a bad, suave dude. You know what I'm sayin'. COOL. SC 7/24/08

by 33 on Apr 14, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

The Bird was the poster boy

for the conventional managers’ wisdom of that era … ride the kid’s arm until it falls off, then glue it back on, rub some spit and rosin on it, and send him back out there. Seriously, check out his usage and innings pitched in his brief career. I’m shocked it lasted even as long as it did.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 14, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Fidrych is a big reason teams are so careful with young pitchers now, which seemed to be utterly lost on the Tigers’ commentators I listened to earlier during their rain delay. Boy back then the young guys pitched tons of innings!

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"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Apr 14, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions