A retiree won an auction to join the Phillies’ radio booth — and crushed it Lewis Kalb, a 73-year-old retiree from Medford Lakes, N.J., achieved a lifelong dream by winning the Philadelphia Phillies’ annual radio booth auction. The event, which allows fans to broadcast an inning of a game, saw Kalb pay $22,000—a significant jump from the $6,000 paid by the previous winner—to secure a spot in the booth during the third inning of a home game against the Washington Nationals. His performance, described as natural and polished, earned praise from regular broadcasters and highlighted his decades of experience in amateur sports commentary. Kalb, a lifelong Phillies fan, had long dreamed of broadcasting at the professional level. For over 30 years, he had called games for recreational and school leagues, covering sports like baseball, football, and hockey. Despite his passion, he had never secured a professional broadcasting role. The Phillies’ auction, launched in 2013 in partnership with SportsRadio 94WIP, became his chance to fulfill that ambition. After years of bidding without success, Kalb decided to go all in during the 2026 auction, driven by a desire to check off a “bucket list” item. The auction win culminated in a surreal moment for Kalb during the third inning of the game. As the Nationals took the field, he stepped into the booth alongside regular announcers Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke. His first words, delivered with calm confidence, marked the beginning of a performance that surprised even the seasoned broadcasters. Franzke noted that Kalb’s experience was immediately evident, with his voice and delivery evoking the professionalism of a veteran. Despite minor errors—such as mispronouncing a player’s name and miscalling a count—Kalb’s natural talent shone through.#philadelphia_phillies #lewis_kalb #medford_lakes #sportsradio_94wip #scott_frantzke
Retired Substitute Teacher Makes Historic Radio Call for Phillies Lewis Kalb, a 73-year-old substitute teacher from New Jersey, fulfilled a lifelong dream by calling a game for the Philadelphia Phillies during Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Nationals. The opportunity arose when Kalb won the team’s annual auction for the chance to broadcast a segment from the radio booth, a bid that totaled approximately $22,000. His appearance came during the top of the third inning of the 10-4 loss, where he seamlessly stepped into the role of play-by-play announcer, delivering a polished performance that captivated listeners. Kalb’s call of the game was marked by both professionalism and lightheartedness. He quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment, incorporating humor about the day’s heavy rain while maintaining a sharp focus on the action. His highlight came in the top half of the third inning, where he announced an Andrew Painter strikeout of Keibert Ruiz, securing a key moment for the Nationals. “Swung on and missed! He got him,” Kalb exclaimed, before noting the outcome: “Andrew Painter picks up the strikeout, and that’ll do it for the Nationals. No runs here in the top of the third. We go to the bottom half, Phillies lead it, 2-1.” The moment gained widespread attention, with The Athletic reporting that Kalb’s performance had already become a viral sensation. The Phillies’ social media post featuring his broadcast received over 200,000 views, with additional shares from other accounts amplifying its reach. Kalb’s ability to deliver a professional-level call, despite his lack of formal broadcasting experience, underscored the rarity of such an opportunity. According to The Athletic, Kalb has spent over three decades as a play-by-play voice for more than 3,000 recreational and school-league games.#washington_nationals #mlb #the_athletic #philadelphia_phillies #lewis_kalb
