April 13, 2009

Our formation is achieved through innumerable experiences with one another. Our relationships with each other, whether they be life-long or instantaneous, immediate or distant, intentional or consequential, are vital to our development as human beings and individuals. We assist each other in writing the narratives of our lives in ways we’re intensely aware of, and ways we may forever strain to understand.

Growing up in a rural setting, cable television wasn’t an option. We had one TV and it got six channels, seven if the weather was nice. But I don’t believe it would have mattered how many channels we received, because on any childhood summer night there was only one station I’d watch.

Born on the same day they won their first World Series, I grew up a Philadelphia Phillies fanatic. Into my teens I lived and died through the baseball season with their wins and losses, and unfortunately their losses greatly exceeded their wins. Yet many pieces of who I am emerged from those experiences. Specifically, I am an insatiable sports fan who lives to witness the once-in-a-lifetime moments that competitive athletics provides us. Abstractly, the voice I listened to night after night still plays vividly in my memory.

Harry Kalas was the voice of the Phillies from 1971 to today, April 13, 2009. His life ended this afternoon, peacefully, in a pressbox prior to an afternoon game. I cannot accurately put to words the manner by which Harry Kalas influenced me, but I know that in many ways he introduced me to the world of sports and was an integral part of some of my earliest memories. He opened doors for me leading to many of my strongest passions. His professionalism, demeanor and appreciation for the sport and the athletes he covered continued to impress and inspire me into my not-so-young adulthood.

Somehow, this man who meant so much to those who knew him personally and who was distinguished and recognized among his peers for his excellence in his profession, succeeded in inspiring and influences thousands, possibly millions of people whom he never knew. I realized today that though I never met him, wrote him or dreamt of being him, Harry Kalas was an incredibly influential figure in my life as he was for generations of Philadelphia sports fans.

I believe the world is full of such influential people, many of whom never ascend to any degree of fame or fortune and never intend to do so. Such people do what they love for the purpose of bringing joy to those around them. Through their work they leave a meaningful imprint on the world and influence and inspire others to achieve great deeds.

Harry Kalas went about his daily job of broadcasting Philadelphia Phillies games because he loved doing so, and he brought joy to and instilled dreams in young fans like myself as he did. Finally, today, I realized that in my life I do want to be Harry Kalas.