Thank you Harry

Posted by Spencer on Apr 18, 2009 in Philadelphia | 13340 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/04/18/thank-you-harry/Thank+you+Harry2009-04-18+05%3A27%3A21Spencer

[audio:high hopes.mp3]

Baseball won’t be the same.

A little of my childhood died today with Harry Kalas

Posted by Spencer on Apr 13, 2009 in Philadelphia | 13173 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/04/13/a-little-of-my-childhood-died-today-with-harry-kalas/A+little+of+my+childhood+died+today+with+Harry+Kalas2009-04-13+20%3A25%3A15Spencer

Today the Philadelphia Phillies lost one of the true icons of not just this city, but from within the game of baseball. Harry Kalas was the voice of baseball in my youth – he and Richie Ashburn brought both radio and TV to games to millions of fans for decades. It never seemed the same when Ashburn died in 1997, and now that last tie between my childhood and today is gone.

I played a lot of baseball as a kid, and I dreamed of one day playing for my beloved Phillies. I pretended to hit home runs in the backyard and would mimic Kalas’ “Outta Here” home run call as I did it. For me, I couldn’t watch every game – I often listened on my little Radio Shack AM radio. The game is so different these days. With so many mediums for tracking sports, as well as so many distractions, the day of the old school broadcaster that became the image of a team, is a thing of the past. I feel lucky that I was able to enjoy the game through Harry for so many years.

Last week I went to go see the Phillies get their World Series rings on a crisp cool Wednesday day game. Harry the K through out the first pitch and then Kristen and I got a bite to eat at the restaurant in left field that bears Harry’s name. The Phillies eventually fell behind 10-2 by the seventh inning, at which point we left the game. The Phillies eventually came back and won that game. Harry Kalas had to watch a lot of bad games in his years, and he couldn’t leave.

I am so happy that Harry had a chance to call a World Series victory and see his Phillies win. Within hours of the victory, I received a number of links to Harry’s call of the last pitch of that game because everyone knew, it’s not a big game in Philadelphia without hearing Harry’s call. My heart is heavy today and I honestly shed a tear for Harry.

Rest in Peace Harry – Philadelphia will miss you.

Other tributes from around the web:

• The 700 Level
• We Are GMs
• Huge Tiny Mistake
• (non-breaking space)
• Broad Street Believers

Pictures from around South Philadelphia

Posted by Spencer on Mar 28, 2009 in Philadelphia, spencer's photos | 12830 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/03/28/pictures-from-around-south-philadelphia/Pictures+from+around+South+Philadelphia2009-03-28+17%3A54%3A16Spencer

Took a little of my free time to go out with a friend yesterday and take some photos around South Philadelphia. Here are the results.

Phinally!

Posted by Spencer on Oct 29, 2008 in Philadelphia | 10933 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2008/10/29/phinally/Phinally%212008-10-30+03%3A55%3A00Spencer

I remember the last time the Phillies won. I was 12 years old, watching the game on the edge of my parents bed. My dad, a nurse, had to work 11 pm to 7 am – and waited as long as he could, but missed the end. I’m sure he heard the commotion on the way to work. Tonight he was the first person I called. Just as it was 28 years ago, he was on his way to work, and waited as long as he could. This time he was able to see that last pitch.

With one pitch, the ghosts of over 100 seasons were exised. The weight that the Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers has just been lifted and now they can just play. And I feel so happy for these guys.

Bob Boone, Pete Rose, Manny Trillo, Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Garry Maddox, Bake McBride, Steve Carlton, Tug McGraw, Lonnie Smith, Keith Moreland, Marty Bystrom, Bob Walk, Dick Ruthven, Del Unser, Greg Gross…

Those were the guys I remember from the 1980 Phillies. I’ll remember them forever. They come around to Philadelphia, they don’t buy a drink, we all remember them as they were 28 years ago. These guys now have that. Remembered forever.

Thank you every much for making a not old, but not young man so happy. And tomorrow I get to remember how this will make the Mets fans feel.

Obama in Philly

Posted by Spencer on Oct 11, 2008 in Philadelphia | 10432 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2008/10/11/obama-in-philly/Obama+in+Philly2008-10-11+20%3A53%3A01Spencer

Thanks Grace for convincing us to get up early and see Obama in Philly today. Worth the wait, the 6 block line to feel the energy of the crowd. There was no yelling “off with his head” or “kill him” when McCain was mentioned (unlike a McCain rally).

Pictures from the day:

Philly riverlink sucks

Posted by Spencer on Aug 12, 2008 in Customer Service, Philadelphia | 9390 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2008/08/12/philly-riverlink-sucks/Philly+riverlink+sucks2008-08-12+23%3A56%3A15Spencer

I will never ever again take the ferry to Camden to see a show. I’ve waited over an hour and just finally got on a ferry. There’s only on ferry, so if you can’t get on one because it’s full, then you need to wait 30 plus minutes for the next one. This is what they call express service. I needed to allot at least two hours to get to the show on time.

And there are still people who are probably going to miss this one.

Never again. Do not take the riverlink ferry if you don’t have hours to kill.