Wednesday night's Phillies-Nationals game was postponed due to rain, as baseball fans everywhere continued to pay tribute to former Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas. The game was not immediately rescheduled. (A glance at the Phillies and Nats respective 2009 schedules doesn't seem to show any concurrent off-days preceding, or following, the remaining Phillies dates at Nationals Park. They may have to schedule a split-admission doubleheader, with Saturday, May 16th looking like the best option. Might be a good day for a Carlos Carrasco or J.A. Happ start...)
Reflection upon the incredible career of Kalas continued Wednesday. Remembrances were shared in the newspapers, as well as throughout the blogosphere. Fans flocked to the Mike Schmidt statue at CBP, leaving flowers and other Kalas mementos. The Phillies organization announced a number of the touching tributes they have planned for Friday night's game, the first at CBP since Kalas' passing. For the remainder of the season, the Phillies players will wear a black "HK" patch on their uniforms, over their hearts. On Friday night, Kalas' sons will throw out the first ball, with his son Kane to sing the National Anthem, after a moment of silence. The Phillies' broadcast booth will been named after Kalas, a billboard honoring Harry will be on the outfield wall, and Harry's signature "Outta Here" call will play over the speakers, accompanying every Phillies home run. Throughout the homestand, the Phillies flag in Ashburn Alley will be at half-mast, a video of Harry singing "High Hopes" will play during the seventh-inning stretch, and Harry's signature will displayed on the field. During the first half-inning of the television broadcast, there will be no commentary. It will be a classy tribute for one of the classiest Phillies of all-time.
As a result of the rain out, the Phillies were unable to take part in MLB's Jackie Robinson celebration, in which all MLB players wear Robinson's number forty-two for the day. (This is a fitting tribute, though it is mildly disconcerting when every Phillies batter comes to the plate wearing Don Carman's (lifetime BA: .057) number.) On April 22nd, 1947, the Phillies played Robinson's Dodgers, and embarrassed MLB with their behavior. April 22nd, 2009, might be a good day for the Phillies to honor Robinson, by wearing his number. Hopefully, the Phillies will find an opportunity to honor Robinson later in the season.
Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel announced that Wednesday night's starter, Joe Blanton, will move back to Thursday night, and that ace Cole Hamels will get the ball on Friday night. It seems appropriate that Hamels will be the starter on the night of the Kalas Tribute. Unfortunately, despite the consecutive days off, the schedule doesn't seem conducive to skipping Chan Ho Park's turn in the rotation. Brett Myers, Park, and Jamie Moyer will, likely, follow Hamels in the series against San Diego, each pitching on six days of rest. (Though the Phillies could use Moyer on Sunday, on five days rest, and Park Monday, on seven days rest, making Park available to be used in relief on Thursday or Friday.)
On Thursday, Joe the Lumber will be opposed by Kingdom of the Netherlands/Nationals starter Shairon Martis. Martis is, perhaps, best-known for his no-hitter against Panama in the 2006 WBC. However, Martis skipped this year's tournament, putting his loyalty for the Nats over that for The Kingdom. The Phillies have been held scoreless (in five and two-thirds innings, by Jair Jurrjens) this season, by MLB pitchers who chose Spring Training with their club, over WBC action for The Kingdom. Expect this streak to end Thursday night.
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