The Phillies planned for Andrew Painter to make his major league debut this season. Instead, he posted a 5.40 ERA in triple-A. But after missing two seasons because of an elbow injury that required surgery, the 22-year-old top prospect stayed healthy for 26 starts and 118 innings, more than doubling his career total in the minors. Painter sat down with Phillies Extra this week in Allentown for a candid conversation about his season.
Nobody will forget Brad Lidge’s last pitch in the 2008 World Series. Seventeen years later, the Phillies have a closer with championship-clinching stuff. Lidge joined The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss Jhoan Duran, what it takes to close out playoff games, the remade Phillies bullpen, and more.
It's September, the stretch run is upon us, and the Phillies are making some final touches to the roster as they try to sew up a playoff spot and repeat as NL East champs. General manager Preston Mattingly joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss the recent additions of pitchers Tim Mayza and Walker Buehler, a challenging season in triple A for top prospect Andrew Painter, the state of the outfield rotation, and more.
In 1996, David Cone was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right arm — a condition that threatened more than just his baseball career. So when news broke that Zack Wheeler had a blood clot removed and is now set to undergo surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, Cone could relate. Ahead of his call of the Phillies-Braves on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, Cone joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss Wheeler and the state of the Phillies’ rotation with a month left in the regular season. Watch here.
A first-round pick by the Phillies in 2024, Dante Nori is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in their system by MLB.com. He also happens to be an avid collector of his own baseball cards. The single-A outfielder joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to talk about his development over his first full minor league season, his NBA coach father, the pursuit of his own cards, and more. Plus, an update on Zack Wheeler's health situation.
Since 2022, Matt Strahm has been one of baseball’s most reliable relievers — and a key anchor in the Phillies’ bullpen. Off the field, he’s a passionate baseball card collector. Strahm joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss the bullpen’s outlook with new closer Jhoan Duran, helping Bryce Harper build his own card collection, and more.
The baseball world is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Former Phillies outfielder Gary Matthews became close with Sandberg while playing alongside him on one of the most beloved teams in Cubs history in 1984. Matthews joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to share stories and memories of a baseball icon.
Mike Lieberthal spent 13 seasons with the Phillies and holds the franchise record for most games caught. Lieberthal joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber on the Phillies' alumni weekend to discuss the induction of his former teammate, Jimmy Rollins, and former GM Ed Wade into the team's Wall of Fame. Plus, a full recap of the Phillies at the trade deadline.
At 40 years old and entering his 17th MLB season, David Robertson is chasing another World Series ring. He sat down with The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to talk about why he’s still on the mound — and how he hopes to help the Phillies make another title run.
Phillies owner John Middleton was 9 years old when Dick Allen burst onto the scene in 1964 as National League Rookie of the Year. With Allen set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27, Middleton joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss the late Phillies slugger's life and career.
Ed Wade built major-league rosters for 12 seasons, including eight years with the Phillies. With baseball's trade deadline coming up on July 31, Wade joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss what the weeks leading up to the deadline are like for a general manager, his upcoming induction into the Phillies' Wall of Fame, and more.
It has been a life-changing month for Otto Kemp, who made his major league debut, collected his first hit and home run, and settled into a role with the Phillies. This week, he sits down with The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss his rise from playing for a Division II college program, going undrafted, and preparing for a career in finance if baseball didn't work out.
Orion Kerkering has had the look of a future closer since he made his major league debut late in the 2023 season, and last week, he picked up his first two career saves. He sits down with The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss the adrenaline rush of pitching the ninth inning, being coached by the late Roy Halladay, why former teammate Jeff Hoffman called him the most "entertaining" reliever he has ever played with, and more.
Billy Wagner was among the most dominant closers in baseball history, and next month, he will be inducted to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. He sits down with The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss his two dominant seasons with the Phillies, playing at the peak of the Phillies-Mets rivalry, coaching a Virginia high school to four state championships, and more.
Don Mattingly was a defining figure in baseball during his 14-year career with the Yankees. Now, his son Preston Mattingly is making his mark in his first season as the Phillies general manager, following three years leading the team’s minor league system.For a special Father’s Day weekend episode of Phillies Extra, the Mattinglys sit down with The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to reflect on their journeys in baseball — and the father-son bond that goes far beyond the game.
Roy Halladay threw the second perfect game in Phillies history — and only the 20th ever in Major League Baseball — on May 29, 2010, in Miami. Tom McCarthy had the call on television, and even now, he considers it the No. 1 moment in his 18 years in the Phillies' broadcast booth. To mark the 15th anniversary of that unforgettable game, McCarthy sits down with The Inquirer's Scott Lauber on the latest episode of "Phillies Extra" to relive the 115-pitch masterpiece of Halladay's Hall of Fame career.For more Phillies coverage, go to inquirer.com.
You’ve heard of Tom Brady’s “TB12 Method” — now Phillies superstar Bryce Harper is sharing his personal playbook.In an exclusive interview with The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber on the latest episode of Phillies Extra, Harper opens up about his all-natural approach to nutrition, why clean eating is crucial to his success, and how it’s helped him stay sharp year after year. He also gives a sneak peek at his custom cleats, celebrates Kyle Schwarber’s 300th homer, and more.Check out this rare deep dive with one of baseball’s biggest names.