1993 just would not have been what it was without Tooood Kalas. He was brought in to put a positive spin on everything the way his predecesser, Howie Rose, did not. I cannot fault Mr. Kalas for doing his job. And he certainly did everything that was asked of him and more. But hearing Todd try to remain chipper (or should I say "larry"?) during those years of Torborg, Bonilla, and bleach-throwing was just hilarious! Recite the following out loud, with a smile on your face, deeper than you normally would and, if possible, through your nose:

"Aaaaaaaand Eddie Murray committed his fourth error in aaaaas many games."

"Aaaaaaaand Aaanthony Young has just lost his twentieth game in a row."

"Aaaaaaand with this final victory of the season, the Mets will avoid setting a new major record for most losses by a non-expansion team during an expansion year!"

Perhaps most hysterical of all were the rare occasions in which even Kalas lost his patience with the team. Imagine suddenly being scolded by Mr. Neutral Voice on the phone.

Really, I mean no criticism of Kalas, here. I sometimes jokingly (I think) refer to the 1993 Mets as my "Boys of Summer." And great though the others were (Healy excepted, of course, although even he had his moments that year), Kalas was the icing on that year's broadcasting cake. I truly do miss him, and hope he is doing well.

I also would like to borrow his father's voice for a day or two... or more.