Sad Day in Philadelphia

Harry Kalas Remembere, The Voice of Philadelphia

The Kalas family and the Phillies have announced that a memorial tribute for Harry Kalas will be held at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, April 18.

Fans will get a chance to pay their final respects to the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, Harry Kalas, during a memorial ceremony at Citizens Bank Park this weekend.

Kalas' family and the Phillies announced a public memorial will be held at the stadium Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Fans will be permitted to pay their respects to the Hall of Fame broadcaster on a first come, first served basis before an on-field tribute at 1:00 p.m.

The Phillies will then take on the San Diego Padres at 7:05 p.m.

Known for his signature "Outta here!" home run calls, Kalas died Monday after collapsing in the broadcast booth before the Phillies' 9-8 victory over the Washington Nationals. He was 73.

Beverly Fields, a spokeswoman at the Washington D.C. chief medical examiner's office, said Tuesday that an autopsy showed Kalas had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The disease, in which plaque buildup restricts blood flow in arteries, is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Private funeral services and burial will be private and held early next week.

Beginning Wednesday, players will wear HK uniform patches for the rest of the season. The black circular HK patch will be located on the front of the jersey in the area of the heart.

The Phillies return home on Friday night to play San Diego at 7:05. Fans are urged to arrive early as the team will pay tribute to Harry prior to the game. More details are expected later in the week.

Kalas is survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom is a broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Rays.

PHILLIES TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HARRY KALAS ON FRIDAY NIGHT:

Information from the Phillies-

Fans are urged to arrive early for the Friday, April 17 game when the Phillies play the San Diego Padres at 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park. It will be the first home game since Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas' death four days earlier.

The Phillies will honor their legendary voice prior to the game with several tributes:

- The television booth in which Harry broadcast since Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004 will be named the Harry Kalas Broadcast Booth, "That ball's outta here!" A plaque will be hung to officially name the booth. The neighboring radio booth is named the Richie ("Whitey") Ashburn Broadcast Booth, "This game's easy, Harry."

- The ceremonial first ball will be thrown by Harry's three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane.

- Prior to the National Anthem, to be sung by Harry's son Kane, there will be a moment of silence.

- All fans will receive an 8"x10" color photograph of Harry.

- Harry's signature will be displayed on the field during the seven-game homestand beginning on Friday.

- Also for the seven games, a black drape will appear in front of the Phillies radio and TV booths and the Phillies flag in Ashburn Alley will be hung at half-mast.

- A video of Harry's career will be aired on PhanaVision.

- During the seventh-inning stretch, a video of Harry singing "High Hopes" will be shown on PhanaVision. Fans will be encouraged to join in.

- Other acknowledgements include:

- 'B7During the first half-inning of the game televised by Comcast Network Philadelphia (formerly CN8), there will be no announcer commentary.

- Throughout the remainder of the season, a billboard honoring Harry will be displayed on the outfield wall.

- As previously announced, an HK patch will be worn on Phillies uniforms this season.

- Throughout the 2009 season, following every Phillies home run, Harry's legendary "Outta Here!" home run call will be played over the PA system as the Liberty Bell lights up.