An opening month already likely to go down as one of the more somber in recent baseball memory was rocked with more bad news Monday when two of the game's most beloved figures died.
Radio and TV broadcaster Harry Kalas, whose baritone delivery and signature "Outta here!" home run calls provided the soundtrack to Philadelphia baseball for nearly four decades, died at age 73 after collapsing in the broadcast booth before the Phillies' game against the Washington Nationals.
A few hours later, Mark Fidrych, an eccentric All-Star pitcher for the Detroit Tigers nicknamed "The Bird" whose career was shortened by injuries, was found dead in an apparent accident at his farm. He was 54.
The deaths came less than a week after Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends died in a car accident.
Kalas, who was familiar to millions of sports fans outside Philadelphia for his voiceover work with NFL Films, was the voice of the Phillies since 1971.
"We lost our voice today," Phillies president David Montgomery said.
Worcester County (Mass.) district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. beneath a dump truck at his Northborough, Mass., farm. He appeared to be working on the truck, Early said.
Adenhart death: A judge increased bail to $2 million for Andrew Gallo, the 22-year-old man charged in the traffic collision death of Adenhart and two other people. Orange County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Robbins continued Gallo's arraignment until June 8.
man this sucks i loved the bird! RIP Mark Harry and Nick
