By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
When Ryan Howard's career with the Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up just over a week ago, more than just the 2008 era was closed.
Howard was the final member of the 2009 team left with the team, making him the final player in the organization that was with the major league team when Hall of Fame announcer Harry Kalas passed away in the first month of the 2009 season.
Kalas, who served as the team's announcer for 38 plus seasons, last called a game on Sunday April 12, 2009 in a win over the Colorado Rockies. Matt Stairs, who currently works as a television color commentator for the team, hit the final home run that Kalas ever called during that game:
Stairs is one of few people that played for or was part of the Phillies during Kalas' final year and still has some connection to the organization. Current manager Pete Mackanin was the team's bench coach from 2009-2012, but left the organization before returning in 2014 to become Ryne Sandberg's third base coach and ultimately the team's manager. Charlie Manuel was the manager in 2009 and is currently a senior advisor to general manager Matt Klentak.
When the Phillies buy out Howard's 2017 option formally, it will close the book on perhaps the greatest era that the team has ever seen. It also, however, will close the book officially on one of the greatest voices that sports has ever had and multiple generations worth of Phillies baseball.
