Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life

[jadedmastermind]

I'm speechless. Harry's voice is like a magnet. RIP

[xxguitarhero48xx]

I don't cry. But when Harry Kalas' voice.. it all comes down man. Damn

[daveywaikiki]

One of the things I remember is when he did play-by-play after a third out toward the end of a game he'd say full innings "after seven full innings, it's the Phillies five and the Giants one." It was suspenseful. Or when Harry Kalas called a guy nearly getting hit by a liner "Here's a line shot.." Ashburn would say "Oooh!" like someone almost got injured. They were a great team and are missed.

[bestmenonearth]

HE IS MY UNCLE!!!!

[s0undch4ser]

My favorite Richie Ashburn quote "The kid doesn't chew tobacco, smoke, drink, curse or chase broads. I don't see how he can possible make it."

[vaibanez17]

Someone help me out here. I never got to see this guy play because i'm only 26...based on his stats and the way people talk about him, was he like an Ichiro type player? Make all the catches, run fast, hit for average???? Looks like it on the stat sheet but is that the type of player he was???

[OldsVistaCruiser]

There is only one person who was more beloved than Richie Ashburn in Philadelphia sports history. It is none other than the narrator of this video, Whitey's best friend.

[UncleMikeNJ]

How old are Plain and Pepperoni Celebrese? About 20 minutes, I hope!

[OldsVistaCruiser]

@UncleMikeNJ - Have you ever had Celebre's pizza? It ROCKS! (They're at 15th & Packer, in the same shopping center as Chickie's & Pete's)

[UncleMikeNJ]

@OldsVistaCruiser Not yet. I keep telling myself I'll go, but every time I go to Philly I end up at Pat's Steaks instead. I'm 66 miles away, but I don't have a car, and that's a short ride on a bus followed by a long ride on 3 separate trains. (NJ Transit, SEPTA and the Broad Street Line.) At least I tried Chickie's & Pete's crab fries at the Trenton Thunder's ballpark, but I wasn't impressed. Bull's Barbecue, now THAT'S impressive.

[OldsVistaCruiser]

@UncleMikeNJ - At least you don't wind up at Geno's!

Celebre's is a quick 15-minute walk from Ashburn Stadium...err...Citizens Bank Park, and is only 2 blocks from Pattison station on the BSL. Walk north one block to Packer, turn left, one block to Celebre's on the left.

Oh, BTW - I must come clean. "OldsVistaCruiser" and "AshburnStadium" are one and the same person. I just happened to be signed into my classic car screen name rather than my screen name for sports and Philly stuff.

[oldaardvark]

I saw Richie get his 2000th hit at Connie Mack. A line drive double down the right field line.

[kylamarie03]

@airsofter431

airsofer431 - I am from Richie Asburn's hometown and I am currently working on a research paper on him. If his grandson is still your neighbor I would LOVE if you could find a way for me to get in contact with him. I would absolutely love to ask him a few questions. Please get back to me as soon as possible! thank you!

[doctornoooo]

Its tough for me to conjure up two better looking baseball players than Ashburn

and Piersall, both could have been in the movies if they had tried to act. Maybe some others and you can make up hour own list.

[6hojoe6]

God, Ritchie Ashburn was a pain in the ass. I say that with love for the guy. I'm a red-blooded Cardinal, and he was the best at fouling off pitches until he got the one he wanted.

I remember him fouling off a pitch that hit a woman. As they were taking her to the hospital, he fouled off another one,

AND HIT HER AGAIN! God love the man!

[allisonballer19]

Richie is my grandpa's cousin. My grandfather recently passed, but he talked about Richie all the time.(:

[OttoRax]

I wish I was old enough to have seen Ashburn play. He's my kind of player...on base constantly, could bunt, steal, play defense. A legit Hall of Famer and great broadcaster. I miss him and Harry greatly.

[Eaglesbabysuperbowl1]

rip harry and richie =[

[talamore4life]

music?

[protreking]

@talamore4life medal of honor 1 music.

[xsilverstudx]

Harry is with his friend :(

[rkr36]

My Grandparents were from a small town named Surprise, Nebraska. When my dad was growing up, Richie was his idol. One day, Richie put on a father-son banquet that my grandpa and dad went to. They got an autograph baseball from him. Years later, I was playing catch with my dad and lost the ball. I told him, "don't worry, I know where another one is". I ran into my dads room and grabbed the Richie Ashburn signed baseball unaware of what it was. I ended up losing it in the pasture that day.

[wander1273]

You don't have what you had from back in those days. Today its greed. That had to be a special moment in your families history.

Both Harry and Richie RIP

[bceagledeb]

This DVD is wonderful tribute to Whitey narrated by Harry. I bought it a year ago and it was worth every penny. I tried watching it today and had to stop because I started to sob. RIP Whitey and Harry

[daboteman]

Please post in this thread how and where this DVD can be purchased.

Listening to this short introduction in Harry's voice makes me feel like I'm wrapped in pure comfort.

I usually root against the Phillies, but I would tune in to the innings called by Harry on my XM radio just to hear *him* call the game. It won't be the same without him.

[AshburnStadium]

The best bet probably would be the Phillies. They want $25 for a copy on their website.

Amazon might have copies, too.

Anyway, if you live in Bucks County, the county library system has seven copies.

[AshburnStadium]

I forgot - there are a $#!+load of extras on the two-DVD set.

The main program is 95 minutes long, but there are over three hours of extras.

[bceagledeb]

I loved all the extras - it includes the entire funeral, the entire Hall of Fame speech, all the tributes to Whitey held by the Phillies, a rap song from Whitey and Harry (I am NOT kidding), songs about Whitey (and if you're a fan of Whitey, you really should hear them.) The two songs are "He Wore Number One" and the better one is called "Whitey and Harry." "Whitey and Harry" is composed and sung by Chuck Brodsky. It is available on iTunes. Whitey and Harry, RIP

[ForeignerPhan]

Richie and Harry were PURE GOLD. We were truly blessed to have this dynamic duo in the booth for all of those years. Talk about a perfect compliment to each other.

A part of every Phillie fan died on Monday. I was 11 when Harry came to Philly and I can't even fathom the thought of anyone else calling the games.

[ala0578]

I agree. Part of my childhood died on Monday. And this Whitely tribute narrated by Harry Kalas is just chilling.

[P38Jim]

Richie and Harry are gone. Heaven's got a helluva broadcast team. I type this with tears flowing down my checks. These guys were a constant source of joy. Whatever the final score you won a measure of happiness when you listened to Whitey and Harry call a game. Truly a gift from God. I thank the Lord for letting me be a Philly Phan who's entire life so far has been filled with their presence. I can't believe the ride is over.

[scubarulz]

Now with Harry's passing yesterday, it's REALLY hitting home how very priviledged we were to have two great voices and baseball minds broadcasting Phils baseball through our childhoods. They will forever be a tandem of broadcasters unmatched forever; true Philadelphia icons. How can this Rich Ashburn DVD be purchased? It would be great to have as a keepsake. I'll surf for it if necessary. They were both key factors in my Dad showing his sons how to love the game of baseball. Thanks to them all!!

[dadsb78]

You can buy it at the Phillies website

[gdtimay]

Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn are drinking wine in heaven, talking about the Philadelphia people..."This babys out of herrrrrrrrrrre"

[johnyvico]

i can hear harry in heaven say . heres the 3-2 pitch to babe ruth swing and long driveeeeee watch that baby way outaaaa here

[phancman20]

Now back with Kalas calling games in heaven

[Somnambul33tor]

and a GLHF to both. the dynamic duo is truly done.

[zach6171]

Together at last!! have fun guys!

[philipgardner]

Well said!

[outtaherephils]

The DVDs are excellent, both the main program and the bonus features. Great memories. I wish I could've seen Whitey as a player, but the years growing up listening to him and Harry are something I'll always treasure. The Phillies were usually pretty bad back then, but Harry and Whitey got me through

[AshburnStadium]

There are some parallels between His Whiteness and today's Shane Victorino getting to first from home plate.

Like the "Flyin' Hawaiian", Whitey was also a center fielder who had great speed. I wish I could have known who was faster.

I only knew Richie as a broadcaster, since I was born the winter after he entered the Phils' booth - I was born in the year of the Great Phillies Collapse!

[ashburn123]

im related to him.

[PhillyPhunk]

How so ? I know some of his family , went to school with them.

[Eaglesbabysuperbowl1]

i watched that it is good

[bceagledeb]

Folks, if you loved Whitey, buy this DVD.  I just bought it and they did a great job. Harry narrated the DVD and it includes a 90 minute documentary and 3 hours of extras, including Whitey's complete Hall of Fame speech, the 3 Vet tributes during his lifetime and the memorial tribute after his death, and the entire private memorial service. I laughed and sometimes cried - it was well worth the money.

[AshburnStadium]

The Bucks County Free Library system also has seven copies for loan.

The libraries that have them are:

Bensalem, Doylestown, Langhorne, Levittown, Perkasie, Quakertown and Yardley.

If you live in Bucks County, you can also order it for pickup at your own local library.

[P38Jim]

"His Whiteness" was without question the finest color man in the history of broadcasting. His quick wit and humour surpassed that of most comics. He was warm, gregarious and full of baseball incite. He was just so darned nice and decent that you had to like the guy, and Harry Kalas did. He loved him in fact. The combination of the best voice in baseball (sorry Vin but it's the truth) and the best wit in baseball was pure joy. We fortunate few who heard his voice were blessed.

[edible1910]

it's just not the same having Harry and not having his "big brother" and best friend Richie right there callin the game; it was like two brothers or like harry said two best friends; listening to Harry and Richie was like a reality show-two guys just sharing comments and opinions as if nobody else was there, it was relaxed and fun to listen to both of them as a kid and i miss it very much

[faye9127]

Richie wake up tonight. Harry needs you to help call the final out

at Citizens Bank Park. You would be proud of our 2008 Phillies.

[TOMR999]

wish you were doing the game tonight.go phillies-go phillies

[mike32688]

voice... only b/c the sponsors got pissed at them for asking for pizzas from a small town shop... haha ill never forget in 93... whitey's call of the bases clearing triple in game 6 of nlcs by mickey morandini...

[voice1]

And a special birthday greeting goes out to those Calabrese twins, plain and pepperoni.

Too funny.

[AshburnStadium]

The thought is much appreciated, Voice, but the place His Whiteness shouted out to is called Celebre's. 

They're in the same shopping center as Chickie & Pete's at 15th St. & Packer Ave. Their pizza ROCKS - the best I've ever had!

I heard Harry give a shoutout to Celebre's in 2007 - he must have been hungry!

voice1 wrote:

And a special birthday greeting goes out to those Calabrese twins, plain and pepperoni.

Too funny.

[voice1]

Thanks for the correction.

[jfayiii]

I'll never forget those early 80s years listening to WCAU, relaxing to Harry and Whitey call games on my grandmother's old radio. The best was when a West Coast road trip game with extra innings or was rain delayed. Harry and Whitey were like uncles back then. Magic.

[voice1]

"Whitey...that Pete Rose just tied the National League record for hits in consecutive games....are hitter superstitious?"

Sure Harry. I knew guys who got hot who would wear the same underwear, or socks. They wouldn't want their uniforms washed. Heck Harry, I knew guys who even slept with their bats."

"hea hea hea...How 'bout you Whitey? Ever sleep with your bats?"

"Harry...I slept with a lot of ole' bats in my day"

The magic of Whitey Ashburn and Harry Kalas. We had it good once.

[msgreek9009]

and richie ashburn was pretty funny to

[all66books]

My only regret was not being around when he was playing. Underrated because he wasn't a long ball hitter, and playing in Philly instead of NY, hes generally regarded by baseball experts as being right up there defensively as a center fielder with Mays & DiMaggio.

I loved the broadcast trio of Harry, Whitey, and Andy Musser [used to listen to Musser & Sonny Hill broadcast the 76er games in the late 60s-those two made a great broadcast team as well].

All great memories. Thanks.

[GoPhillies73]

I think "Whitey" and Bobby Clarke are tied for Philly's most beloved athlete of all time. I so miss the days of watching or listening to Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. Now I have to settle for Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews. I was in Cooperstown when he was inducted into the HOF. I went to see Whitey, not to see Schmidt!

[lmnop1963]

I'm a Mets fan but I loved RA! Truly a great player; and a better guy. If you even like baseball a little bit, buy this video.

[AshburnStadium]

Don't forget that Whitey retired from the '62 Mets!

Imnop1963 wrote:

I'm a Mets fan but I loved RA! Truly a great player; and a better guy. If you even like baseball a little bit, buy this video.

[phillyguy672]

does anyone have video of harry kalas the night ashburn died when they played the mets .i remember that i almost cried and harry almost lost it on the air but he got through it nicely

[AshburnStadium]

"His Whiteness" will always be number 1 on both his uniform and in the hearts of Phillies fans everywhere.

Rest in peace, Don Richard Ashburn!

Although I realize that baseball is a business, Citizens Bank Park should have been named (at least partially) in Whitey's honor.

The only other person who had a longer career in Philadelphia baseball was Connie Mack, and Shibe Park was renamed in his honor.

[vap17]

That was awesome and who better to narrate than Harry K. Ashburn was a great announcer and fantastic announcer. He has been missed for many years now. Go Phils!

[AshburnStadium]

As you said, vap17, who better to narrate this video!

As Harry Kalas said in this video, he was best friends with Richie Ashburn.

Harry still openly grieves over the loss of Whitey, nearly 11 years after his passing on September 9, 1997.

If you want to take a look, I have a tribute page on AOL to His Whiteness. It can be found at hometown*aol*com(slash)ashburn­stadium.

I also have a link there to some of my original baseball poetry - and a parody of the Eagles' fight song. ;-)

[AshburnStadium]

My AOL Hometown tribute page to His Whiteness has been taken down, unfortunately, due to AOL's closing of their Hometown service.

I now have it on MySpace. Go to myspace*com (slash) 419367418 and look in the blogs section.

[cowboyzsuk81]

oh and nice choice of music. i think i herd it in medal of honor

[cowboyzsuk81]

oh and nice choice of music. i think i herd it in medal of honor

[cowboyzsuk81]

hey thx for posting that video responce. go phills. what a player ashburn was