Monday was a tragic day for baseball fans everywhere but especially those in the Phillies organization, with the passing of legendary Phils voice Harry Kalas. Below, you will find a series of quotes from friends and colleagues about Harry Kalas. Here is an article from today’s Philadelphia Daily News on Kalas by David Murphy. Here’s another, this from Bill Conlin, also in the Daily News. This is only a small sampling.

Phillies President David Montgomery: We lost our voice.

Phillies chairman Bill Giles: Baseball broadcasters become an integral part of baseball fans’ families. They are in the homes of fans every day for the entire season. No one will ever be able to match the joy Harry and Richie Ashburn brought to our fans for all those years. He had a great voice, understood and loved the game, and loved people. That’s why I brought him here in 1971. My family and I and all of our fans will always have a place in our hearts for Harry.

NFL Films President Steve Sabol: Harry is the narrator of our lives. 

Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker: If you didn’t like Harry Kalas, you didn’t like anybody.

Braves broadcaster Chip Caray: When I think of Harry, I think of friendliness and class. When my dad died, he gave me a hug and a handshake that I’ll never forget.  He was truly a treasure. He was a mentor and a friend.  People will say that the game won’t be the same without him and it won’t.

Former Phillie Mitch Williams: It was an honor to have Harry call any play I ever made. The fact that he called me Mitchy-poo on air… I didn’t want any one to know about that nickname, but somehow with Harry it was OK. He is probably one of two announcers that you didn’t have to see to know who it was. He was the best.

Former Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell: He died with his boots on, so to speak. I think if you had a choice and God gave you the option, you would take that option.

Former Phillies OF Doug Glanville: Harry had that special gift. Just with his words and the emotion in his voice, he could take you to that game and put you right in that moment. If I was trying to explain to somebody what it’s like to hit an inside-the-park homer, I’d say, ‘Just listen to Harry call it.’

ESPN.com writer Jayson Stark tells a few great stories in this article.

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