The analog clock and Harry the K’s are gone; a piece of Phillies history is, too

In August of 2024, the Phillies honored the late David Montgomery by inducting him into the team’s Wall of Fame. A part of that ceremony was naming the sharp corner in left-center field at Citizens Bank Park “Monty’s Angle,” honoring the Phillies lifer’s encouragement for exciting and unpredictable outcomes. It observed Montgomery’s historic tenure with the Phillies spanning from 1997–2014, rising from the sales department to president and CEO, and later chairman, and will always have a mark in the ballpark he helped design.

Montgomery made it imperative for Citizens Bank Park to be a modern-retro ballpark with ties back to the Phillies’ history. Now, just two years after the debut of “Monty’s Angle,” the Phillies are turning away from his motive.

During Tuesday night’s Phillies ballpark preview, where the team unveiled its fully renovated Hall of Fame club and remodeled team store, Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton addressed some of the backlash that has come from the team moving into the modern, corporate direction, including the loss of two Citizens Bank Park relics: center field’s analog clock and Harry the K’s in left field.

The Phillies ditched the clock in July of last season to make way for the 2026 All-Star Game logo. The replacement for the clock, which paid homage to Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium, that had the same analog clock atop its right field scoreboard, seemed to be temporary. Middleton, however, spoke contrary.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to put the clock back up,” Middleton said to Tim Kelly on OnPattison. “Honestly, if you ask the 3.375 million who came to our ballpark last year, how many of those people do you think would know that clock represents the clock on top of the right field scoreboard [at Connie Mack]? Seriously … 5%? 10%?”

Kelly had a great follow-up regarding the clock’s installation at Citizens Bank Park when it opened in 2004. Many may not know it is a nod to the days before Veterans Stadium and Middleton’s childhood, but it has been tied to Citizens Bank Park’s past. It is nostalgic for a new generation, too.

“The world changes,” Middleton responded. “New people, new fans, new customers. There are younger people who look at that and say, ‘Why is that there? I’ve got my phone, I don’t need the clock. Why is it there? Who cares?'”

As a younger person myself, I will speak on behalf of all the other younger people: a lot of us come to a Phillies or baseball game to escape the phone and enjoy time with family or friends, and watch the game. What if I do not want to look at my phone in the middle of an inning to check the time, but rather look at a cool old-school clock in center field? Middleton and the Phillies had a similar answer when they disposed of the out-of-town scoreboard in right field two years ago. Why need the scores out there when they are on your phone? Rather, more room for advertisements.

If you take a look just to the left of where the clock once stood, Harry the K’s is gone, too. It has been renamed the Ghost Energy Deck. The Phillies defined the area as “a vibrant, high-energy destination at one of the ballpark’s most exciting viewpoints.” This decision drew counterblast, as the team essentially sold Harry Kalas, the longtime Phillies play-by-play voice, ‘s name.

Middleton acknowledged Kalas’ statue in left field, the broadcast booth named in his honor, and that the team will continue to mark Kalas’ legacy. Middleton pivoted to another legendary Philadelphia baseball broadcaster, By Saam, who was the broadcaster for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1938-1954, before joining the Phillies for two stints from 1939-49 and 1955-76.

“One of the hard things, if you have an old team like we do, is there’s a lot of people to honor,” Middleton said. “So, for example, By Saam was Harry Kalas, 40-45 years before Harry Kalas was Harry Kalas. I grew up with By Saam. You tell me where in this ballpark you can find anything honoring By Saam, who won the same award in 1990 [Ford C. Frick Award] that Harry won, whatever it was, 25, 30 years later. 

“So, that’s my point. We need to do something for By Saam too, because he was as big for the Phillies as Harry has been. Now, obviously, an older generation. You have to be basically my age [71], which is pretty old, to have really listened to By Saam and been a fan of his.” 

The Phillies were also paying the Kalas family an annual fee to call it Harry the K’s. While Middleton said it was not significant, the amount Ghost is paying for that spot can “buy a player.”

“The money we save [from paying the Kalas Family] is gonna maybe buy some napkins, or something like that,” Middleton said. “It’s not like serious, serious money. We’re not gonna go out and buy a new player. Now, the money that Ghost is paying us, that could fund a player.” 

Middleton is a great guy. I have had the privilege to meet him a couple of times, and I have a ton of respect for him. But his comments contradict themselves. The Phillies do not currently have a dedicated honor for Saam, so removing Kalas’ name from the stand, now for the second time, does not redirect recognition to Saam; it simply removes Kalas from it, leaving neither fully honored. Perhaps the Phillies plan to celebrate Saam in some way this season, similar to what they did with Ed Delahanty, Sam Thompson, and Billy Hamilton last year. But as it stands, the reasoning does not match the result.

Both the clock and Harry the K’s signify prominent pieces of Phillies history. Both have had a home at Citizens Bank Park since the stadium’s opening. That was 22 years ago. Now, according to Middleton, younger fans are no longer connecting with these artifacts. History is no longer prominent. If the argument that younger fans do not appreciate the honors to Kalas and Connie Mack Stadium, then the way for history to be remembered is by displaying it. It really does not make sense to strip away tributes when the goal is for younger fans to know the Phillies’ lore.

Just as human beings, we should not forget about the past. It is what got us to the present.

If anything, younger generations are drawn to authenticity. Look at how many companies and sports teams are reverting to retro-style branding. The uniqueness of a ballpark is what separates it from a screen.

This is not just about a clock or the name of a snack stand. It is about what kind of ballpark Citizens Bank Park is transforming into. It was designed by Montgomery to connect generations. Now, it is being reshaped to prioritize what can be sold or sponsored. The elements that gave the ballpark a timeless feel are viewed as replaceable. It is a shame for a young fan like me, and disheartening for older generations who grew up with it.

The same organization that honored Montgomery for crafting a home rooted in history is now actively removing parts of that essence. Montgomery envisioned a ballpark where the past and present could coexist. These recent decisions suggest the balance is shifting away.

But when you have a $309.5 million payroll, the MLB’s fourth highest, it may just be the cost of doing business.

“If you want a $300 million payroll, you need to have $600-plus million in revenue,” Middleton said. “You’re looking for money everywhere. And by the way, if you go to Yankee Stadium, you go to Dodger Stadium, it’s all over the place. That’s the cost of doing business.” 

This may be true. It is fair to understand. But when business starts replacing history, something is lost. Citizens Bank Park was built to tell a story. Right now, the Phillies are starting to erase parts of it.

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