After an unexpected run to the World Series, the Phillies spent $300 million on a new shortstop, fortified the rest of the roster through signings and trades, and then removed the old scoreboard at Citizens Bank Park to install an even bigger one. They took care of one more item: The two voices of the team’s broadcasts are returning with new deals.
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Tom McCarthy and Scott Franzke have agreed to long-term contract extensions that will keep them in their current roles for most of the 2020s. By the end of those deals, the two will stand among some of the longest-tenured broadcasters in franchise history.
“Stability is a great word for it,” said Dave Buck, the team’s executive vice president. “They will be up there a long time. It’s funny, as the generations age. I grew up on Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. A lot of the younger people are like, ‘Who?’ Now, I’m lucky enough to be a part of the new generation with Franzke and McCarthy. They both have an awesome local following and are growing nationally, too. It was important for us to have them with us for a long time.”
Franzke, 50, became the main play-by-play announcer on radio in 2007. McCarthy, 54, is entering his 15th season as the lead announcer on the Phillies’ TV broadcasts.
Scott Franzke announces a Phillies game in 2018. (Mitch Leff / Philadelphia Phillies)“My family and I are so appreciative of everything the Phillies have done for us for the 21 years we have been part of the organization,” McCarthy said. “We are excited about this deal and the future of the Phillies. It’s a dream to be part of the fabric of this amazing city.”
McCarthy is expected to again be joined by John Kruk, Ruben Amaro Jr. and Ben Davis on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s telecasts. Franzke’s long-time partner, Larry Andersen, scaled back to work only home weekends in 2022 but will do approximately 60 games in 2023 — a small uptick.
The team has not yet announced who will pair with Franzke for the remainder of the schedule, although former Phillies infielder Kevin Stocker is believed to be a leading candidate for that role. Stocker shared analyst duties last season with Michael Bourn, Chad Durbin and Erik Kratz.
The broadcast landscape could look quite different by the time McCarthy and Franzke reach the end of their respective contracts. Major League Baseball has started to explore alternatives to traditional broadcast rights agreements between teams and regional sports networks. It’s possible the Phillies begin to think about a future in which they are distributing their own broadcasts in some form.
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For now, they at least know who will announce them.
“We think,” Buck said, “we’re pretty lucky.”
GO DEEPER
Phillies radio voice Scott Franzke goes back to 'Bedlam at the Bank' — and beyond
(Top photo of Tom McCarthy in 2018: Mitch Leff / Philadelphia Phillies)
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