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High & Inside: Baseball Notes

Sculptor Lawrence Nolan at work on the 71/2-foot tall statue of Harry Kalas.

Posted: April 01, 2011

Phillies accept Harry Kalas statue

The Phillies have accepted "with gratitude" a fan-created bronze statue of legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas for placement at Citizens Bank Park.

"It's a wonderful likeness of Harry that really captures his spirit," said Mike Stiles, senior vice president for administration and operations.

After Kalas died in April 2009, a Facebook petition to create a statue quickly gathered more than 21,000 supporters. The cost of the project was set at $80,000; about $20,000 still needs to be raised.

Where and when the statue - which depicts Kalas holding a microphone and leaning on a baseball bat - will be placed has yet to be decided.

To make a donation, go to www.harrykalasstatue.com.

Moving on up

The Phillies have Major League Baseball's second-highest payroll, at $173 million, according to an analysis of major-league contracts by the Associated Press. On top, of course, is the Evil Empire, the New York Yankees, with $201.7 million - which is actually down from last season's $206.3 million.

The Phillies began last year fourth at $141.9 million, but have been given a financial boost by 123 consecutive home sellouts in the regular season.

You, too, can be an owner

The good news: For only $200 million, you can be a part owner of a major-league baseball team. The bad news: It's the Mets. The New York Times is reporting the Mets are seeking $200 million for a minority portion of the team.

The Times reported that the contenders have been told that any deal to sell a minority piece will not include a path to acquire the rest of the team. The $200 million could purchase as much as a 40 percent share of the club.

Two firsts for Brewers

Leadoff homers by Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez at Cincinnati Thursday marked the first time since 1969 that a team opened with back-to-back homers.

Weeks' leadoff blast also made him the first Brewers player to start a season with a leadoff home run.

Ironically, the last team to pull off the back-to-back homer feat was the 1969 Cincinnati Reds, when Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan homered off the Dodgers' Don Drysdale.