The "It's Outta There!" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just got back from the Ocean City boardwalk and was watching the Phillies on TV. My favorite team, you know! Not many people sitting in the living room appreciated the fact that I had the game on the TV, but I was the first one in the door and grabbed the remote right away. All I wanted to do was watch an inning or two and then they could change the channel. Well the Phils were having a good inning. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases and brought Carlos Ruiz to the plate. Now everyone was watching. FLASHBACK: For years I enjoyed listening to Harry Kalas do the play-by-play for the Phillies. He was famous for his calls when a Phillie would hit a homer. "It's Outta Here," he would declare!! I missed it so much after his death that I would say it myself when I saw a shot launched towards the outfield fences. Swing and "It's Outta There," I would yell and smack my hands together in a pointing motion toward the fence, even if I was watching by myself. Well, tonight I had an audience. And, Carlos obliged. A mighty cut and, "It's Outta There," went up the cry. But, not just by me. My two granddaughters chimed in on the call and the hand smacking. I was kinda stunned. I looked at them and saw the big smiles on their faces. For the last couple of years when they would come to visit at my place or Carol and I would go to visit with them in Maryland and during the summer months I would be watching a ball game with them. Many times they would watch and listen to me give my call. And, tonight they helped me. Not only once, but on the replay. But, on the replay, we had a full house giving the call and the special hand smack! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - The girls and I make the call after a home run and below, Harry making the call!