It was one year ago were the baseball world lost two of its biggest names. One who just starting his career and the other who was living his dream. It was on April 9, 2009 and April 13, 2009, two days that Angel’s fans and Phillies fans would never forget.
We start with the Anaheim Angels starting pitcher Nick Andenhart who was making his 4th major league debut on April 8, 2009 as the Angles third starting pitcher in the Angels rotation. He was pitching against the Oakland Athletics where he did a great job pitching and showed coaches and his father that he was ready to play in the big leagues. Andenhart went 6 innings, allowed no runs, and struck out 5 batters. But sadly did he know it would be the last game he would ever pitch in his short career. Later that night shortly after 12 a.m. on April 9, 2009 Andenhart and a few friends went out to celebrate his great pitching performance where he was in a horrifying car cash and two of his friends were killed intently. Adenhart and friend Jon Wilhite would be rushed to the hospital, but by the time they arrived at the hospital Nick Adenhart's life was already taken. His friend Jon Wilhite had to go under 5 hours of surgery to save his life. None the less Adenhart and two others were killed in this accident, police said that a drunk driver (no names) who already had a suspended license hit Adenhart's car as he went through a red light and hit his car that hit a telephone pole that split the car in half. After this tragic moment the Angels had to have a press conference about the death of their young pitcher. Coaches, players, fans, people around the United States were stunted after they heard the news. Players and coaches couldn't help but cry after they lost a close friend. Outside of Angel’s stadium the fans made a memorial for a man that barely knew or got to know for just 6 innings of work. The Angles coaches and players would then wear a patch with the #34 on the uniformers to remember Adernahart and would bring his jersey in dugout to every game and keep his locker in the locker room the same as if he was still part of the team. Also they would bring his things to away games and set up his locker. Also no Angles player will ever wear the number 34 ever again as they retired the number in favored of of Nick Adenhart to be the only Angels player to ever wear that number. The Angels in 2009 would win their division and win the ALDS over the Boston Red Sox and they said it was all for Nick, as Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said "Nick's up there smiling down and saying hey! Let’s get a win today." As the Angels season came to a close in the ALCS against the New York Yankees, it was still be a year to remember as the Angels played their hearts out for Nick every step of the way in 2009. Nick's life ended at the age of 22; although his life is gone it will never be forgotten as the kid who grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland lived out his dream to play as a major league baseball player. Nick Andenhart #34 (August 24, 1986 - April 9, 2009) R.I.P.
Just after a few days after Adenharts death, back on the East Cost the Phillies lost a close friend in the family and a legend if that. On April 13, 2009 in Washington D.C. where the Phillies would host the Natioanls and before the game started The Voice, The One and Only Harry Kalas had passed away of heart disease. Before the game began, Kalas' death was announced to the crowd, his picture was displayed on the scoreboard, and the stadium observed a minute of silence for the remembrance of him. The Phillies beat the Nationals by a score of 9-8. Center fielder Shane Victorino also saluted Kalas after hitting a solo home run by pointing up to the press box where Kalas would have called the game. Back home in Philly the fans made a memorial outside the stadium hosting around a Mike Schmidt statue to remember The Voice of the Philadelphia Phillies. It was then when coaches and players wore a "HK" patch on their uniformers to honor him and in the dugout of every home or away game they would bring Harry's baby-blue blazer and white loafers to make sure he was always with them. After a Phillie would hit a home run Harry's famous "OUTTA HERE" was played and after a Phillies win his favorite song was played "HIGH HOPES". Harry Kalas wasn't just a baseball broadcaster for the Phillies he would also do NFL Films and T/V commercials because he just had that voice that everyone loved oh so much. Harry was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 and will always be remembered. People that grew up listening to Harry knew that no one called a game like Harry did. Harry was a guy who would come over and sit down and talk to fans about different things and I know from hands on from meeting him back in 2003 that he was a great man and loved to talk about his love for the game and would always do a voice call for the people. The Phillies in 2009 won their division for the third straight year and won back to back National League Pennants but in the 2009 World Series their magic season came to an end after losing to New York Yankees. "The season was Harry no matter what" said Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Harry Kalas died at the age of 73 and will always be remember as The Legend, The Hero, The Voice! Harry Kalas "HK" (March 26, 1936 - April 13, 2009) R.I.P.
Harry's memorable calls:
Harry's Home Run Call
"Swing ... and a long drive, and this ball is ... outta here! Home run
Kalas made, arguably, his most memorable call on April 18, 1987, when Mike Schmidt hit his 500th career home run.
Swing and a long drive, there it is, number 500! The career 500th home run for Michael Jack Schmidt!
In 1980, after the Phillies won the World Series, Kalas and the rest of the Phillies' radio crew re-created the call that Kalas probably would have made when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to win Game 6 and the World Series between the Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.
65,000 plus on their feet here at Veterans Stadium. The Tugger needs one more ... Swing and a miss! Yes, he struck him out! Yes, they did it! The Phillies are world champions! World champions of baseball! It's pandemonium at Veterans Stadium! All of the fans are on their feet. This city has come together behind a baseball team! ... Phillies are world champions! This city knows it! This city loves it!
Another memorable call by Kalas was his description of Mitch Williams's strikeout of Bill Pecota for the final out of Game 6 of the 1993 National League Championship Series between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves:
Swing and a miss! Struck him out! The Phillies ... are the '93 ... National League Champions!!!
On June 14, 2004, Kalas called the 400th home run hit by Jim Thome, using the call he used in later years when it was uncertain whether the ball would clear the fence:
Could it be...could it be...it...is...OUTTA HERE! Number 400 for Jim Thome!
On August 9, 2006, Kalas called a close play at the plate as Chase Utley scored from second base against the Atlanta Braves:
Chase is going to keep going and he's safe at home plate! Chase Utley, you...ARE...the...man!
Here is Kalas's call of Brett Myers' strikeout of Washington's Wily Mo Pena to clinch the 2007 National League East division title for the Phillies on the last day of the season, completing a comeback as they erased a seven-game deficit behind the New York Mets in early September:
Myers ... has the sign from Chris Coste ... curveball, struck him out! The Phillies are National League East champions! Look at the scene on the field! Look at the scene on the stands! This is incredible! The Phillies are the National League East champions and will go to the postseason for the first time since 1993! Wow!
Kalas' call on the Phillies' victory in Game 5 of the 2008 NLCS:
The 3–2 pitch ... Swing, and a pop-up, this game is gonna be over ... Carlos Ruiz squeezes it, and the Phillies are the National League champions! The Phils move on to the World Series!
On October 29, 2008, Kalas was finally able to call a Phillies' championship-winning moment in the World Series when Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske to win the 104th Fall Classic
One strike away; nothing-and-two, the count to Hinske. Fans on the their feet; rally towels are being waved. Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch — swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! Brad Lidge does it again, and stays perfect for the 2008 season! 48-for-48 in save opportunities, and let the city celebrate! Don't let the 48-hour wait diminish the euphoria of this moment, and the celebration. And it has been 28 years since the Phillies have enjoyed a World Championship; 25 years in this city that a team that has enjoyed a World Championship, and the fans are ready to celebrate. What a night!
Kalas made his final call on April 12, 2009, during the Phillies game against the Colorado Rockies:
Bouncing ball to Chase Utley, this should be the game, Chase throws him out and that will be it as the Phils win 2 out of 3 here at Coors Field, coming back to take this one by a score of 7 to 5.
This Is Beyond Legends, This Is Beyond Baseball.
Seth Lempert
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