Astros broadcaster Todd Kalas, son of Phillies legend Harry Kalas, will be sidelined to start the 2020 season
Todd Kalas, fellow broadcaster and son of legendary Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Famer Harry Kalas, took to social media on Tuesday to reveal he has tested positive for COIVD-19 and will miss some time early on in the Houston Astros broadcast booth as a result.
With the season approaching, Todd said he decided at the end of last week to take a COVID-19 test, even though he felt 100 percent “perfectly fine” and had no symptoms.
“Unfortunately, and to my shock, it returned positive. I am a symptomatic,” Todd said. “I couldn’t believe it, but now I have to self-quarantine and follow MLB’s health and safety protocol, which will cost me to miss the beginning of the Astros season.”
Former Phillies outfielder Jeff Francouer, now of the Atlanta Braves broadcast team, announced that he likewise tested positive and will self-quarantine.
Incredibly disappointed to have to miss the start of the 2020 season! Here’s why: pic.twitter.com/jSt9XDKsm6
— Todd Kalas (@RealToddKalas) July 21, 2020
Todd is entering his fourth season as the Astros television play-by-play broadcaster, the same team his father, Harry, called games for (1965-70) prior to joining the Phillies (1971-2009).
Overall, Todd has 28 seasons of experience in the professional baseball booth. Prior to joining the Astros in 2017, Todd was part of the television broadcast team for the Tampa Bay Rays over the 19 seasons prior, from 1998 to 2016. There, his main duties were a pre- and postgame host and in-game reporter, but he also took on television and radio play-by-play duties along the way.
During Game 1 of the 2008 World Series between the Phillies and Rays, Todd and Harry worked hand-in-hand for the first time in the booth, calling an inning together on radio. Before the Rays, Todd also worked on radio broadcasts for the New York Mets from 1992-93, as well as on television broadcasts for the Phillies television from 1994-96.
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Just as his father, Todd is known around Major League Baseball for his “distinctive voice and personality,” the Astros note: “Kalas grew to be a popular figure with Rays fans as a result of his work on the broadcasts and was a three-time Suncoast Emmy award winner.”
Todd continued that he is “crushed” he cannot be in the booth for Opening Day, but it is what he has to do for now. He then shared an important message regarding the pandemic and the importance of wearing personal protective equipment and social distancing:
“For all those people out there, continue to wear your mask, continue to social distance, and continue to be as safe as possible,” Todd said. “I know while I don’t have symptoms, a lot of people are suffering with COVID-19 much worse than me, and I send out my heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.”
“I cannot wait to get back in the booth,” Todd added. “Until then, stay safe and go Astros.”
We wish Todd a quick and speedy recovery!