Posted on 04/15/2009 7:28:41 PM PDT by SMCC1
The casket containing the body of Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas will be on view beginning at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at home plate at Citizens Bank Park.
Fans will be able to file past Kalas' casket and pay their respects for about four hours, after which there will a memorial service.
Kalas passed away Monday after collapsing in the broadcast booth before the Phillies' 9-8 victory over the Washington Nationals. He was 73.
The last time a baseball figure was honored this way at a major league ballpark was for Babe Ruth on Aug. 17, 1948, according to Tom Shieber, senior curator at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
"To be honored in the same way as Babe Ruth tells you just how much Harry Kalas was part of the consciousness of the fans of Philadelphia," Shieber said.
According to news reports at the time, police estimated 50,000 people filed past Ruth's casket on the field at Yankee Stadium.
The Phillies organization, which decided to honor Kalas in this historic way, will fly the team's flag at half-staff. Gates will open at 8 a.m. ET.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
harry kalas was a legend. still cant believe hes gone. i will be there saturday.
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