A T.O. with T.H.

The 2009 baseball season is only a week old. As exciting as it has been, an unfortunate trend has developed.

Following the tragic and shocking death of 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart after a start on April 9, two other well known members of the baseball family passed away on Tuesday.

First we heard of the tragic death of 73-year-old legendary commentator Harry Kalas.

Kalas was found dead on the floor of the press box in Washington, right before the game between the Nationals and Phillies.

The broadcaster was one of the most noticeable and famous voices in all of sports. He was the Phillies radio voice since 1971 and worked with NFL Films as well. He is also a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

Kalas was also known for the relationships he made with people away from the microphone. Tuesday, former Phillies, such as John Kruk and Mike Schmitt, spoke to the media about how great Kalas was to hang out with in the clubhouse and on road trips.

Baseball radio commentary is lost on our generation, which has grown up with television and the Internet for scores.

But, to the slightly older generation and those of us who still appreciate radio commentary, Kalas and others are the only stable thing fans know in this game.

Players leave, managers get fired, but the legendary commentators such as Jack Buck, Marty Brennaman or Kalas are a mainstay and are beloved by their respective fan bases.

Great baseball radio commentary is a true
art form and is much tougher than any other type of play-by-play work. They do more than just broadcast the game. Because of the pace of the game, they tell you a story – much like a grandfather would.

I’m not a Phillies fan, but I am deeply saddened that I will never get to hear Kalas’ legendary voice again.

The other tragic Tuesday death was former Tigers pitcher Mark “The Bird” Fidrych.

Fidrych was found dead on his Massachusetts farm shortly after Kalas was found dead.

He won only 29 games in his short-lived career, but perhaps there is no pitcher more memorable or unique in the history of baseball.

“The Bird” would do things like talk to the baseball or groom the mound with his hands during the game.

He used this unique, quirky style to win 19 games in 1976 and win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Because of an arm injury the following season, Fidrych was never the same pitcher again.

It is incredibly sad and a little eerie that these tragic deaths all happened within a week of one another.

Despite the exciting on-the-field start to the season, it is a difficult way to begin the year.

May these three men rest in peace and may their families find solace in this time of mourning.

As for baseball fans, never forget these three for the contributions they each made to the history of the game. They will be sorely missed.