The Phillies Show

Cole Hamels

The Phillies don't win the 2008 World Series without Cole Hamels.
He went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts, winning World Series MVP and NLCS MVP honors in the process. He lived up to the hype as the 17th overall pick in the 2002 Draft, giving the Phillies a homegrown ace they desperately needed for years. 
Is Hamels one of the greatest Phillies ever? Absolutely. The old-school stats say so, but so do the new ones. Hamels ranks 11th all-time in WAR by a Phillies player, according to Baseball Reference, just behind Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu, and just ahead of Chuck Klein and Curt Schilling.
Hamels shared his favorite Phillies memories with Ruben, Jim and Todd before his June 21, 2024, retirement ceremony at Citizens Bank Park. He talked about getting drafted by the Phillies, the franchise's glorious run from 2007-11, drilling Bryce Harper with a pitch in 2012, throwing a no-hitter in his final Phillies start in 2015, and so much more.
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A New Look in Center Field?

The Phillies are finally home after a grueling 20-game stretch in which they played 14 on the road, including two in London, three in San Francisco, three in Colorado and six in the AL East. The Phillies lost two of three over the weekend in Baltimore, which culminated in Rob Thomson getting ejected in Sunday’s series finale. It was the angriest anybody has ever seen the typically mild-mannered Canadian, who astutely picks and chooses his spots to send messages to his players.
This seemed like one of those moments.
The Phillies will play 10 of their next 13 games at Citizens Ban Park, and fans are likely to see a different lineup. First, Trea Turner is expected to be activated before Monday's series opener against the Padres. Signs point to Johan Rojas getting optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Is it the right time to option Rojas? How do the Phillies handle center field? How do they handle left? If Rojas is optioned, does it increase the likelihood that Dave Dombrowski finds an outfielder before the July 30 trade deadline?
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Burgers, Boston and Baltimore

The Phillies returned from London and dropped two of three to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Now, they have an even bigger test: a three-game series this weekend against the Orioles in Baltimore. The Phils are just 9-8 since May 23. Any reason to worry?
The offense has cooled, but help is on the way. Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh could both be back before the end of the weekend. Does Marsh move to center field upon his return? If so, what happens to Johan Rojas?
The guys answer some listener questions, including who would win a hot dog eating contest.
Jim also takes a stroll down memory lane, recalling the time in Baltimore that legendary Phillies coach John Vukovich wanted to kill the Oriole Bird.
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The J.T. Realmuto Injury and Surgery

J.T. Realmuto will miss at least four weeks following meniscus surgery on June 12 in Philadelphia.
What does it mean for the Phillies? Can Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan handle the load while he is away? Do the Phillies plan to acquire a catcher before the July 30 trade deadline? The guys offer their perspective following the loss of one of their most valuable players on the 26-man roster.
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The British Invasion

The Phillies are back from the 2024 London Series, and almost everybody there seemed to enjoy themselves. We look back at some of the weekend’s most memorable moments, including Bryce Harper’s big Saturday night, appearances from several 2008 Phillies and the Phillie Phanatic’s hijinks.
Rob Thomson said he wouldn’t mind going to London every year to play.
But the Phillies are back in the U.S., ready to open a three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston. Ruben, Jim and Todd discuss the team’s recent outfield production, and how Nick Castellanos’ recent play -- .958 OPS last 10 games, and a .797 OPS last 30 games -- and Whit Merrifield’s productive weekend in London could solve that issue internally.
Trea Turner could be back within the week. Brandon Marsh could be back soon, too.
Do the Phillies play Edmundo Sosa a little in left field when Turner is back? It could provide another boos to the Phillies’ outfield.
Maybe then the Phillies don’t need an outfielder before the July 30 trade deadline. Maybe then they use their trade capital elsewhere.
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Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is having a MVP-caliber season as the Phillies have raced to the best record in Major League Baseball. He joined The Phillies Show before the team's trip to Europe to play the New York Mets in the 2024 London Series at London Stadium.
Harper discussed a wide range of topics in a fun and insightful interview:
- The Phillies' remarkable start and what he expects this summer and fall at Citizens Bank Park.- How much winning a World Series with the Phillies would mean to him. - The hilarious London Series promo he shot with Phillies legend Chase Utley and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" creator and star Rob McElhenney. - A few surprises for fans in London, including a cool look for the Under Armour Harper 9 cleats, which debut in England.- His love for the Phillie Phanatic. - How he once used an autographed Pete Rose bat to play for Team USA in Venezuela. - Harper's love for baseball as a kid, and the incredible drills he and his dad did.- His advice to parents who want to help their children play baseball.
Plus, much more!
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Rhys Hoskins Returns

The Phillies open a three-game series on Monday night against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park, which means Rhys Hoskins will be back at the Bank for the first time since his Phillies career officially ended last fall. Ruben, Jim and Todd share their favorite stories and memories about Hoskins, who not only was a productive bat in the middle of the Phillies lineup or years, but a leader in the clubhouse and in the community.
The Phillies might have lost Brandon Marsh to the injured list on Sunday night, when he strained his right hamstring. What are the options to replace Marsh in left field? Whit Merrifield, Kody Clemens and Cristian Pache immediately come to mind. Rob Thomson has hinted at Edmundo Sosa possibly seeing time in the outfield once Trea Turner returns. What about options they might have in Triple-A?
Ranger Suárez dodged a bullet on Saturday, when a ball struck him in his right hand. He might pitch Saturday in London. He might not. If not, who does? We go back to Spencer Turnbull being one of the baseball’s best baseball offseason signings.
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Potential Moves on the Horizon

The Phillies left for a West Coast road trip with the best record in baseball. They returned with the best record in baseball, despite going 2-4 in Colorado and San Francisco. But some of the team's blemishes bubbled up on the trip, including the lack of offensive production from the outfield and Taijuan Walker's struggles in the rotation. It led to discussion about the July 30 trade deadline, and how these potential issues could be addressed by Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies front office.
Ruben, Jim and Todd also answer some listener questions, and recap their personal highlights from their recent interview with Chase Utley.

Chase Utley

Chase Utley is the greatest second baseman in Phillies history, a 2008 World Series champion, a sure-fire Phillies Wall of Famer and a potential Hall of Famer. He was in Philadelphia recently to promote the 2024 London Series between the Phillies and Mets on June 8-9 at London Stadium.
While Utley was in town, he spent some time with The Phillies Show. They talked about the London Series, Utley’s life in Europe and more than a few stories from his playing career:
- The infamous Yasiel Puig story from Utley’s Los Angeles Dodgers days.
- The crazy places Utley has heard “World F------ Champions!”
- The genius of Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
- Utley’s recollections about Ruben trading him to the Dodgers.
- How Utley’s famously intense game prep helped not only himself, but his teammates.
- Plus, much more.
Utley goes deeper on the stories you think you already knew, while telling stories nobody’s ever heard before.

Is This Real Life?

If you're watching the Phillies, then you know they're off to their best start in franchise history, and the best start in baseball since the 2001 Mariners. Ruben, Jim and Todd try to wrap their minds around the Phillies' historic start, discussing what has jumped out to them and why they believe the players in the clubhouse will maintain their focus and continue to play with an edge the rest of the season.
There is plenty of praise for Edmundo Sosa, who has thrived at shortstop while Trea Turner has been on the IL.
Ruben also explains what he meant he said he would rub his entire body on Ranger Suárez for good luck, while Jim offers a peek at what will be on his grill this Memorial Day weekend.