What’s also noteworthy and quite comical is the celebration going on in the booth as Kalas proclaims the Phillies the world champions of baseball after Brad Lidge struck out the final batter for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Kalas began broadcasting in 1961 when he was a minor league broadcasting. He moved on to the Houston Astros in 1965 and then to the Phillies in 1971.

Here is the Harry Kalas video and his radio call as the Phillies won the World Series in 2008:

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Ryan Howard showed in Game 4 why he is such a feared hitter.

The Philadelphia Phillies, after their 10-2 win, are now one win away from winning the 2008 World Series and being declared the 2008 baseball champions. Leading in the series 2-1 coming into Game 4, the Phillies dominated in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the best out of seven series.

The big star on Sunday night was none other than Ryan Howard, the slugging first baseman for the Phillies. Howard hit two home runs and finished the game 3-4 with walk and five RBIs.

Howard wasn’t the only hitting star for the Phillies on this night. Right fielder Jayson Werth had a home run of his own. Starting pitcher Joe Blanton was not only dominant on the mound, he also helped his own cause by hitting a home run in the fifth inning. On the mound, Blanton went six innings and gave up two runs while striking out seven batters.

The Rays could never get things going. Their only two runs of the game were courtesy of solo homers by Carl Crawford and Eric Hinske. Starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine struggled, but he wasn’t alone. All four pitchers who pitched for Tampa Bay gave up at least one run.

The Phillies will go for the 2008 World Series championship on Monday. The Rays, on the other hand, will try to win the game and send the series back to Tampa Bay. The pitchers in Game 5 will be Scott Kazmir for the Rays and Cole Hamels for the Phillies. Game 5 of the World Series starts at 8PM eastern and will be shown on Fox.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

The Philadelphia Phillies left the Tampa Bay Rays baffled in Game 1.

Although the Tampa Bay Rays were favored to not only win the game but win the series, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to draw first blood in the 2008 World Series. With a 3-2 victory, the Phillies need just three more victories to be crowned the 2008 baseball champions.

The star for the Phillies on Wednesday night was starting pitcher Cole Hamels. In seven very solid innings, Hamels gave up only two earned runs while striking out five Rays. Brad Lidge notched the save to remain perfect in save opportunities this year.

At the plate, the big hit for the Phillies was provided by Chase Utley. His two-run homer in the first inning gave the Phillies a lead they would never relinquish. On the game, Utley was 2-4 with a walk.

On the other side of the diamond, the favored Rays just couldn’t get a rally going against Hamels and the Phillies bullpen. The only batter who had success was Akinori Iwamura, who was 3-4 with an RBI.

Game 2 on the World Series schedule is to be played at 8PM Eastern in Tampa Bay.

Post from: Knuckle Curve