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
