A Death In The Family

[SalmonChantedEvening]

That's how it feels, at least to me.

Since I was 13, that low easy voice, that would on the correct occcasion rise in magnificent crecendo to match the moment, is gone. I have been a follower and a part of Phillies baseball since I was 7 years old. And like David Montgomery said today, I have lost my voice.

My Dad's cousin Ross ran the ticket office at Connie Mack Stadium and The Vet until the mid 1980's. He also worked spring training for the Phils and A's dating back to the late 1940's. Tony Taylor and Dick Allen consider him a 2nd father to this day.

And spanning the years from junior high until this afternoon, there was Harry. Honest, cordial and homespun that Rumplestiltslkin would envy, Harry laid out the game with brevity. You need only listen for 2 minutes to know what the Score truly was.

We never met, but I had the priviledge to speak with his longtime broadcast partner, Richie Ashburn, on my 30th birthday at a card show. I mentioned Uncle Ross and Richie glowed. For the few minutes we spoke, Richie was my new Uncle. He made my year that day, perhaps even my decade. Had Harry and I ever met and spoken, I have no doubt that he would have extended me the same wonderful affection and kindness.

Safe in that knowledge I can only say this.

Goodbye Uncle Harry. I love you.