Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas, the 73-year-old Philadephia Phillies announcer and former Cornellian, died April 13, 2009, in Philadelphia.

Kalas was the Phillies announcer since 1971, and was a beloved Philadelphia icon. He attended Cornell College in the mid-1950s before graduating from the University of Iowa, and he credits Cornell professor Walter Stromer with putting him on the path to radio.

“In his class, I recall him encouraging me to pursue a career in broadcasting when he commented, ‘with your voice, you could get a job in radio,’” Kalas told Cornell upon Stromer’s death. Kalas often repeated this story when asked about how he started in broadcasting.

Kalas is survived by his wife and three sons.