Longtime NJ sports announcer's dream comes true in Phillies' radio booth
MEDFORD LAKES, New Jersey (WPVI) -- 73-year-old sports announcer Lewis Kalb is known as a legend in Medford Lakes.
Thanks to a viral radio clip, the world is getting to know him.
Kalb grew up in Omaha listening to baseball games on his transition radio.He dreamed of becoming a big sports announcer.
In 1965, his father's job brought the family to New Jersey.
He took his talents to radio stations at Penn State and Atlantic City before pursuing sports journalism.
He thought his big break might come in 1996, when the 76ers held auditions for their new announcer.
In order to practice, Kalb picked up a microphone at Vaughan Hall, a sports venue in Medford Lakes.
And although he didn't get the job with the 76ers, he found his calling in announcing children's sports at Vaughan Hall.
30 years later, Kalb continues to announce games in addition to filling in as a substitute teacher at the Neeta School.
But his dream of announcing a major sporting event never subsided.
He decided to place a bid for this year's Phillies' Phantastic Auction, vying for a chance to sit in the radio broadcast booth with Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke.
Ultimately, $22,000 secured him the opportunity. A portion of the auction's proceeds are intended to benefit ALS United Mid-Atlantic and Phillies Charities, Inc.
Kalb grabbed the microphone and the rest was history. One inning of Phillies baseball was forever etched with his voice. And the reaction on social media was wild.
Millions of views poured in as Phillies fans, non-fans, and major news outlets shared the radio clip.
"Exhilarating," said Kalb. "Like a dream has come true."
The Medford Lakes basketball community recently came together to celebrate Kalb with an off-season scrimmage with the boys and girls teams.
He dubbed the event, 'Court of Dreams,' as the MLB's 'Field of Dreams' game with the Phillies was held the same night.
Watch the video above to see what made this dream come true so meaningful.
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