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Phillies Unveiling Of Broadcaster Harry Kalas Statue Postponed Due To Rain Out

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Due to inclement weather, The Phillies game has been rescheduled and the plan to unveil a gift from their fans: a bronze statue of beloved broadcaster Harry Kalas, has been moved to the August 16th game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The seven-and-a-half foot bronze statue of Harry Kalas leaning on a bat was commissioned not by the Phillies, but by fans who wanted a lasting tribute to "Harry the K."

Todd Palmer of the group "Dear Harry" co-organized the effort, and he thinks the statue captures the essence of Harry, "It's like an amalgamation of different time periods to me. Like, there's youngness to it. But there's a gravitas to it. It's really like a composite of Harry Kalas, and I think the people are just going to be blown away when they see Harry standing there."

"It's going to be quite a moment. I don't know how we'll react, but there will be all kinds of emotions going on. Pride certainly will be a huge emotion. And like we mentioned earlier, the fact that the fans put this all together -- very, very touching," says Harry's son Todd Kalas.

Palmer says the Harry Kalas statue may spawn a new Phillies tradition.

"The sculptor, Lawrence Nowlan, actually had the idea that when he put the World Series ring on him that people would walk up and rub the ring for good luck before games."

Todd Kalas says that's appropriate, "He was so proud of wearing those rings whenever the Phillies won the National League and then eventually won the World Series that's it's fitting, that if fans use that as a good luck charm."

The statue will be in the left field plaza near Harry the K's restaurant -- an area that may soon become known as Kalas's Corner.

You can hear Mike DeNardo's interview with Todd Kalas in this CBS Philly "Sports pod" podcast…

Podcast

The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 20 at 1:05 p.m. as part of a split doubleheader. All tickets for the August 14 game will be honored for entry into the September 20 game, beginning at 1:05 p.m.

Reported By Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio

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