Alumni Notebook
News and notes involving former Phillies from A (Larry Andersen) to W (Ed Wade).
On The Air
Jimmy Rollins and TNT Sports announced a new multiyear contract earlier this year. Rollins has been a TBS studio analyst since 2016, teaming with Pedro Martinez, a former teammate. J-Roll also did some color commentary on Phillies telecasts (2019-21).
Cole Hamels is back as an occasional analyst on NBCSP Phillies telecasts. His debut came a season ago.
Tommy Hutton, who will turn 80 on April 20, is retiring at the end of the Miami Marlins’ season, 60 years after he made his MLB debut as a player. His broadcasting career began in 1982 with the Montreal Expos. He’s also worked for the Yankees, Blue Jays and ESPN before joining the Marlins in 1997.
So Taguchi is an NHK baseball analyst. While most of his work is in Japan, Taguchi did visit the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., during Spring Training for an interview with Kyle Schwarber.
Phun Phact
Richie Ashburn, in 1963, started the path for other former Phillies on the air (mostly TV): Robin Roberts, Tim McCarver, Garry Maddox, Mike Schmidt, Jim Fregosi, Kent Tekulve, Jay Johnstone, Larry Andersen, John Kruk, Gary Matthews, Jamie Moyer, Kevin Jordan, Kevin Frandsen, Matt Stairs, Kevin Stocker, Jimmy Rollins, Ruben Amaro Jr., Michael Bourn, Chad Durbin, Erik Kratz and Cole Hamels.
Here and There
Ed Wade, former general manager and a Wall of Famer, will serve as an ambassador making appearances at various events at Citizens Bank Park.
Representing All-Star Games played at Veterans Stadium, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Schmidt (1976) and Ricky Bottalico (1996) had the honor of tossing the ceremonial balls for the March 26 season opener at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia’s history of hosting All-Star Games includes 1943 and 1952 at Shibe Park; 1976 and 1996 at the Vet; and Citizens Bank Park this July 14.
For the second straight year, Shane Victorino delighted the crowd at Citizens Bank Park in an appearance with the Savannah Bananas a year ago (July 26). He and his fellow 2008 World Series champion Ryan Howard will serve as “primetime” coaches, appearing in the biggest games, when Banana Ball expands in 2026 -- Victorino for the Loco Beach Coconuts and Howard for the Indianapolis Clowns.
Honors
Chase Utley will be inducted into the Toyota Phillies Wall of Fame on Aug. 7. He joins fellow second basemen Tony Taylor (2002), Juan Samuel (2008) and Manny Trillo (2020).
Bill White, player, broadcaster, National League president, will receive the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame during the July 25 Induction Weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y. White played for the Phillies from 1966-68. His broadcasting career began at WFIL TV. Former Phillies executive, David Montgomery, was posthumously honored in 2020.
Roy Thomas, a native of Norristown, Pa., was posthumously inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame last November. He played 12 years as a center fielder for the Phillies (1899-1908; 1910-11) and also served 11 seasons as the head baseball coach for the University of Pennsylvania. The left-handed hitter still ranks among the club’s all-time leaders in runs scored, walks and stolen bases.
Dan Plesac and Trea Turner were inducted into the North Carolina State University Baseball Ring of Honor also last November in Raleigh, N.C. The pair were recognized at halftime of the football game against Florida State. Their uniform numbers (20 for Plesac and 8 for Turner) are now displayed on the outfield fence at Doak Field, the Wolfpack’s baseball field.
Former infielder Ricky Jordan was inducted into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame this February. He joined former Phillies Bowa (2014), Geoff Jenkins (2019) and Randy Lerch (2020).