On Monday, the sports world lost a pair of indelible figures in Harry Kalas and Mark Fidrych. Kalas, as you may know, was the voice for many NFL Films productions, a job he held since 1975. In addition to the NFL Films gig, Kalas was the play-by-play man for the the Philladelphia Phillies.
What set Kalas apart from his contemporaries was he had a unique of narrating. When he spoke, it was slow, almost methodical, yet gritty. I still have his voice imprinted in my head from when I was a 11 year old kid in the mid 1980s. This is when ESPN would constantly show NFL Films presentations with Kalas.
Mark "The Bird" Fidrych started his career in 1976 by winning the Rookie of the Year. He tossed a complete game 2 hitter in his first start. He went on having a ridiculous 24 complete games in '76 and was the MLB leader in E.R.A. (2.34). Fidrych's career was cut short due to arm problems in 1977 and retired in 1980.
It's especially sad that both passings came unexpectedly. But we shouldn't stay upset for long. Both these men were grateful of the lives they lived, and that's why they were able to accomplish great things.
I wanted to pay my respects to Kalas by including a clip he did on Roger Craig back in the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOJZqdvGjAA
Michael Perry is an oddsmaker with Logans.com