Kalas & The Bird
It was sad, today, to hear the news on Harry Kalas and Mark “The Bird” Fidrych.
Talk about timing…on Saturday, April 11th, the MLB Network was showing Fidrych’s start of June 28, 1976 (against the Yankees). And, it was later that evening that I was explaining to my father-in-law, who also caught some of the replay that afternoon, how that’s one game that I don’t mind watching again and again – even though it was a Yankees loss. Why? Hey, if you have to ask, you’ve never seen that game. It was just electric. (And, also cool to see the Yankees looking sooooo “1976-ish.”) Fidrych was just so much fun – and yet not someone who was showing up the game. He was transparent and pure. And, I think baseball loved him for that reason.
Now, just two days later, “The Bird” is gone – at an age that’s way too early…way, way, too early.
And, Harry Kalas? I have to think Phillies fans, today, are feeling the way I felt when I heard about the Scooter’s passing. My condolences to all those Phillies fans out there during this tough time.
But, to baseball fans, here’s something to consider: The secret to NFL Films success wasn’t all just about digging out the song “What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?” and showing some football clips along with it. The work that Harry Kalas did for NFL Films was huge. And, if not for the success of NFL Films, which led to the NFL Network, we might not have a MLB Network, today, to watch. So, all of baseball fans, should be tipping our cap to Kalas for his contribution there – as well as for being a Hall of Fame Baseball Broadcaster.
The Bird was a nut! IT was so funny that back in the day what we had for hype was SI, Sporting News,newspapers and the local newscasts. This guy really was a character, I wonder what the 24/7 sports radio/Espn Sportscenter world would make of him now. I’ve seen that classic game and it was from another world. Watching that game again brought me back to 76 and so many memories came flooding back. With Bird, it wasn’t an act ,but rather that was the nutball that he was.
Kalas was also something else. What was fun about the Phillies broadcasts is that he didn’t sugarcoat when the team was absymal. I loved that about him, he didn’t BS the audience then again the Philly audience wouldn’t hear of that crap. His voiceover work for NFL films has become iconic. That confluence of action, his great baritone voice and the music is/was unforgettable.