Broadcast Legend, Harry Kalas Dead

Longtime Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas died at 1:20 p.m. ET on Monday, shortly after collapsing in the team’s broadcast booth before the series opener against the Nationals.

“We lost Harry. I’ve been 39 years with the Phillies and 39 years with Harry and, as I said in this clubhouse, we lost our voice today,” said team president and CEO David Montgomery at about 1:50 p.m. outside the team’s clubhouse. “He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization.”

The 73-year old Kalas was found in the team’s broadcast booth around 12:30 p.m. and was taken to George Washington University Medical Center. Team officials quickly cleared the locker room and talked with the Phillies.

Here’s a statement from Bud Selig:

“Major League Baseball has lost one of the great voices of our generation. Harry Kalas was an outstanding ambassador for the game, first as an original member of the Houston Astros’ broadcast team in 1965 and, beginning in 1971, as the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Baseball announcers have a special bond with their audience, and Harry represented the best of baseball not only to the fans of the Phillies, but to fans everywhere. On behalf of all of Major League Baseball, I express my dearest sympathy to Harry’s wife, Eileen, and his three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane.”

Our condolences go out to the family and Phillies organization.