Phils honor late broadcaster Kalas with statue

PHILADELPHIA -- Kane Kalas sported the white loafers Harry Kalas helped pick out years ago, the brand of footwear made famous by his late father.

To his left stood the new bronze statue of Harry Kalas, the Phillies broadcaster for 38 years before his passing in 2009, toting a bat on his hip behind Section 141 on the Main Concourse near Harry the K's restaurant in Citizens Bank Park.

"It's perfect," Kane Kalas said at the statue's unveiling before Tuesday night's game against the D-backs. "It speaks perfection with the loafers and the sport jacket. He's wearing the ring. The detail, the precision in it. When they unveiled it, I could not believe it."

Sunday's rainout postponed the ceremony to Tuesday night, when Jimmy Rollins and Hall of Famer Steve Carlton unveiled the statue for the first time. The Kalas family got a first peek Sunday and thanked the many Phillies fans who funded the lifelong tribute to Harry.

Harry Kalas died April 13, 2009, shortly before a game at Washington. But the love and honor the city and fan base have shown toward their voice of 38 years is as strong as if he were around today.

"It's amazing, the connection that my father had with this city, with the fans," Kane Kalas said. "The connection they have with him is something that is unsurpassed. I've never seen anything like it."