Sad loss

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NoH8
NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
edited June 2014 in LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer

I'm really sad today. One of my heros died yesterday. Long time Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away in the announcer's booth at the age of 73. He used to cheer, "this ball is outtttaaaa hereeeeeeeeeeeeee." whenever someone hit a homer. I thought of him during cancer, during the scariest times and I used to say, "this cancer is outaaaaaaaaa hereeeeeeee." and I felt better.

When I was dx with cancer at 37 I hoped I'd live to be 40. On my 40th birthday I went down to the Phillies' game, hoping to meet Harry and tell him how he inspired me. I told my story to anyone who would listen, and I was directed to the VP of the team, who was watching batting practice. The then VP, Ed Wade, took me right up to see Harry and he spent about 10 minutes with me, listening to my story, showing me around the booth and how things work, signing a ball and Hall of Fame card for me and introducing me to 2 other announcers, Wheels and Larry Anderson. It was one of the most special moments of my life. The only downer was that my camera didn't work so the pictures we took didn't turn out. I always hoped to get to see him again some day.

Harry was so gracious and generous with his time. He's one of the most humble people I've ever met. I think as good as he was as a broadcaster, he was an even better man. I'll never watch another Phillies game in quite the same way again.

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited April 2009

    I heard this announced on NPR yesterday.

    Thank you for taking the time to honor his memory and share how your two stories intersected.

    gentle hugs.......

    In your sharing of how you met, you have honored him in the kindest of manners.

    Thank you.

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  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited April 2009

    thanks. I think fan who met him, and those who had the opportunity to know him, has similar stories of Harry's generosity of spirit. I'm thinking about going to the memorial on saturday. if I'm feeling good enough.

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited April 2009

    Amy, what a touching story.  It's bringing a tear to my eye that he's gone and you feel this loss, but a smile too, to picture you telling your story "up the ladder" at the ballpark, to get to meet him.  Really beautiful.

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  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited April 2009

    thanks Ann. I cherish the experience and only wish he knew how great he made me feel. I told my story to a lot of people before I got to the Veep, ticket takers, janitors, food service folks lol.

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