First Down

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Will Jose Theodore be in net for Game 2 of Capitals-Rangers? Magic 8-Ball says, “Absolutely!” 1 p.m., Chs. 4, 11

HE SAID WHAT?

“Harry Kalas, if you can look past Ben Franklin and William Penn, may have been the greatest person to grace Philadelphia in the history of the city.” Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on Friday, when the team honored the late longtime broadcaster

KALAS HAD TIME FOR EVERYONE

One of the qualities that endeared Harry Kalas to Philadelphia fans was that he had no airs about him and really seemed like just another fan.

When I was about 8 or 9, my mother came home one day from a business meeting of some sort and said she had something special for me. I asked what it was, and I couldn’t believe what she said next:

Harry Kalas’ autograph.

She handed me a business card with a distinctive signature. I was awestruck.

“You really met Harry Kalas?” I asked.

She had been at a hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J., when she saw someone whom she thought she recognized. So she simply walked up and asked. Sure enough, it was him (Kalas was no stranger to hotel bars). I can only imagine the down-to-earth Midwesterner’s modesty. And, of course, Kalas offered his signature, even if it was on something as simple as a business card.

TWT Five ” Greatest Philadelphia sports voices

1. John Facenda - “The Voice of God” provided the narration for NFL Films for two decades. He never uttered “the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field” but did say, “A Niagara of gold and black… poured down on Roger Staubach.”

2. Harry Kalas - Known for his distinctive “Outta here!” Kalas called Phillies games from 1971 until his death earlier this week.

3. Bill Campbell - “He made it! He made it! A Dipper dunk!” In a 65-year career, Campbell has called Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point milestone in 1962 as well as Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and Big Five college basketball games.

4. Gene Hart - He was the play-by-play man for the Flyers for 28 years. Immortalized in his call during the waning seconds of the 1974 Stanley Cup finals: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Flyers are going to win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers have won the Stanley Cup!”

5. Merrill Reese - Philadelphia native has been the radio voice of the Eagles since 1977. He’s known for wailing, “It’s gooood!” when a critical Eagles field goal sails through the uprights.