I was checking out the Phillies website and saw a fan comment on a possible replacement for Harry Kalas. His suggestion was Harry's son Todd, who is part of the Tampa Bay Rays broadcast team. I don't know anything about his contract or if Todd would ever even consider doing it, but he was the first person I mentioned to my Grandfather that came to mind the day after Harry's loss.
It would be a direct and emotional connection to Harry and I wonder if fans wouldn't feel comforted by that. Todd also has a voice that, while different from Harrry's, has that same warm tone that Phils fans have come to know and love. Maybe it would be a less difficult transition.
But Todd Kalas is making his own name and forging his own path. His grief is personal. Perhaps that would be too difficult, and understandably so.
The tributes begin today, with Harry's sons throwing out the first pitch and Kane Kalas singing the national anthem. The seventh inning stretch, with a Phanavision display of Harry singing "High Hopes" will be a killer...but that first half-inning of silence in his honor is truly beautiful. Whoever thought of that, applause.
You might need umbrellas for tomorrow, Phils fans. Gonna be pouring- and Kleenex just won't do the job.
