The voice of Summer has been absent now for a couple of years.
But he’s never left our hearts.
Now he will never leave the place he called home.
They unveiled the 7-foot bronze statue of beloved Phillies broadcast Harry Kalas at Citizens Bank Park last night.
You can read all about it and watch a video of the ceremony here.
Harry and his sidekick, Richie Ashburn, left an indelible mark on Phillies fans.
Now the fans have returned the favor. Most of the $80,000 cost of the statue was raised by donations from ordinary fans, organized by a non-profit called Dear Harry Inc.
The statue, the work of sculptor Larry Nowlan, was cast at Laran Bronze in Chester.
One of the outstanding features of Citizens Bank Park is Ashburn Alley, which stretches from the left-field foul line through centerfield, where Phils fans can eat, drink and still catch all the action. It’s a fitting tribute to the beloved center-fielder and color man on the Phils’ broadcasts.
For so many of those years on radio and TV, Ashburn’s running mate was Kalas.
Now they are joined together again.
The Kalas statue is near the left-field line, just outside the entrance to Harry the K’s Restaurant. The area is being dubbed Kalas’ Korner.
The voice of summer has now been captured in bronze.
But the memories and the love for a man who was so much more than a broadcaster are solid gold.
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