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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:58 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2009

Harry Kalas remembrances prevail despite Phillies loss to Padres

By Jeff McLane
The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA — Even an 8-7 Phillies loss to the Padres Friday night couldn't spoil a night full of high hopes.

And that's exactly the way Harry Kalas, the eternal optimist, would have called it.

The Phils returned home for the first time since the Monday death of Kalas, and the team, along with 44,984 fans, paid tribute to the Hall of Fame broadcaster Friday night.

"I definitely wanted to win because of Harry," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "I think probably our team feels the same way."

The Phils led, 7-1, through four innings and appeared as if they would cap what was mostly a celebratory evening. But starter Cole Hamels, still struggling, surrendered four runs over the fifth and sixth innings. And in the eighth, reliever Ryan Madson gave up three more as San Diego grabbed the lead.

"It's something I feel more embarrassed (about)," Hamels said. "Because when you see that sort of opportunity, you need to bury the other team, and I wasn't able to do that."

The Phils' bats, which strung together nine hits in the first four innings, couldn't rally. In the eighth, Greg Dobbs ended the inning when he was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second on a Chase Utley single.

"He's got to come, two out," Manuel said.

Raul Ibanez (3 for 3 with two walks) was stranded at first in the ninth.

The night, though, belonged to Kalas.

In the middle of seventh inning, the sellout crowd rose not for the traditional signing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," but for Kalas' rendition of Frank Sinatra's "High Hopes." A version with Kalas crooning the song he sang many times flashed on the PhanaVision as many in the stands joined in. They erupted at its conclusion and broke out into chants of "Harry."

Although the loss of that velvety voice could be felt both in the park and at home, it didn't take long for fans to be reminded of Kalas.

Utley torpedoed a no-out, three-run home run to the second deck in right field in the first inning to give the Phils a 3-0 lead. Along with the customary ringing of the neon Liberty Bell above Ashburn Alley, each Phils homer this season will be accompanied by a recording of Kalas' "That ball is outta here."

The pregame ceremony was understated and tasteful. Kalas' three sons — Todd, Brad and Kane — threw out three first balls. Todd, a Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster, tossed to Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Former Phils first baseman John Kruk caught Brad, and current shortstop Jimmy Rollins was on the receiving end of Kane's throw.

Kane, an aspiring opera singer, sang the national anthem. Apparently, Harry's golden pipes carried into the next generation. During Kane's rendition, Utley held a Kalas powder blue sports jacket, while Rollins had the 1970s-era white shoes of the fashionable Kalas.

The players wore a circular HK patch on their uniforms and will do so for the rest of the season.

Hamels struggled in his first start on April 10, surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in 32/3 innings as the Phils lost, 10-3. Friday night, he was better, although still shaky. He went six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. Three of the hits were home runs. Phils pitchers have given up a major-league-worst 23 homers.