Phillies Broadcaster Entertains at Kennett Old Timers Baseball Banquet

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Photo of Chris Wheeler courtesy of Jarid Barringer, Philadelphia Inquirer.

Not even a bout of flu could prevent Newtown Square native Chris Wheeler from honoring his commitment to speak to enthusiastic baseball fans at the 37th Kennett Old Timers Baseball Association Banquet, writes Steven Hoffman for the Chester County Press.

For Wheeler, growing up in Newtown Square automatically meant rooting for the Phillies. He adored the game when he was a kid, and he fondly recalled watching Willie Mays play. Phillies outfielder Richie Ashburn was his boyhood idol.

Wheeler, who graduated from Marple Newtown High School, got his degree in journalism and broadcasting from Penn State in 1967. He then worked for several radio stations in Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York before joining the Phillies’ community relations department in 1971.

He joined the radio and television broadcasting team six years later, working alongside two iconic figures, Ashburn and Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas.

Wheeler, who has been broadcasting for the last four decades, was also a guest speaker at last year’s banquet, and according to him, nothing would have stopped him from repeating the experience.

“What a great group you have here,” he said. “There’s nothing that I wanted more than to come back here tonight.”

Read more of Wheeler’s stories in the Chester County Press by clicking here.

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