Phillies Broadcasting legend Harry Kalas dies before game

Its been reported that long-time announcer Harry Kalas died today after collapsing in the National Park broadcast booth. The 73-year-old Kalas was found unconscious at 12:30 p.m today in the Nats 'seventh heaven.' He was taken to GWU Hospital, and was pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m.

"We lost Harry. I've been 39 years with the Phillies and 39 years with Harry and, as I said in this clubhouse, we lost our voice today," said team president and CEO David Montgomery at about 1:50 p.m. outside the team's clubhouse. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."-MLB.COM

Kalas had been with the Phillies for 38 full years. Prior to that he broadcasted the Houston Astros from 1965-1970. In 2002 Kalas was inducted into the broadcasters wing of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Kalas had long been known for his memorable calls, most notably coining the well known phrase, "it's outta here!" He also was there too announce Mike Schmidt's 500th homerun and two Phillies World Championships.

Kalas's death is a sad loss on a happy day of the celebration of baseball. May he rest in peace and always be remembered as an ambassador of the game and the voice of a Philly generation.