2002 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas, longtime announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies, was the 2002 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.


Harry Kalas (National Baseball Hall of Fame)

A native of Naperville, Illinois, Kalas graduated from the University of Iowa in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Radio, and Television. The affable broadcaster was drafted into the military on graduation day, spending the following two years in Hawaii with the Army. In 1961, he served as sports director of radio station KGU and also began broadcasting for the Pacific Coast League Hawaii Islanders, as well as the University of Hawaii.

An original member of the Astros broadcast team in 1965, he called games for Houston until 1970. He moved to the Phillies broadcast booth in 1971, where he shared the microphone with Hall of Fame outfielder Richie Ashburn for 26 seasons. Kalas has been honored as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 17 times. He has also broadcast Big Five basketball and Notre Dame football.

Kalas, revered for his uncanny ability to connect with his listeners, whether on radio or television, has called more than 5,000 Phillies games. His passion for the game is unsurpassed, and his powerful, soothing voice is a summertime tradition throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.

Complete list of Ford C. Frick Award Honorees