Phillies, Jim Jackson part ways after 14 seasons on radio

After 14 seasons, the Phillies and radio broadcaster Jim Jackson have parted ways.

As it turns out, Gregg Murphy will not be the only member of the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast team who will not return for the 2021 season. On Wednesday, Jim Jackson revealed that the Phillies informed him they are “no longer in need” of his broadcasting services, given he is a “luxury the organization can no longer afford in such uncertain times” during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Back in 2006, David Montgomery and I sat down for lunch and discussed the possibility of having me become part of the Phillies’ broadcast team,” Jackson recalled in his social media post that announced the news. “At the time, we were thinking about trying it for a year or two and seeing how it would go.”

“Well, I started hosting Phillies pre and post-game shows in 2007, and in the ensuing 14 seasons,” Jackson continued, “I’ve been fortunate enough to observe and describe so many amazing moments and players, all while getting to be around the great game of baseball working for a tremendous organization.”

Jackson — who has served as the television play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team for the past 25 years — had served as the Phillies pre- and postgame show host for 14 seasons on the Phillies Radio Network.

In 2010, he took on additional Phillies play-by-play responsibilities and other broadcast assignments. Jackson assured that he will continue to “pour everything” he has into his job with the Flyers and will look for new, additional opportunities in the hockey offseason.

In his farewell message, Jackson called out a few notable great memories that he created during his time with the Phillies. “I think back to sitting next to Harry Kalas as he made his World Championship call in 2008, interviewing Roy Halladay moments after he completed the 2nd ever no-hitter in MLB playoff history in 2010, and getting the chance to be on the mic as Jimmy Rollins became the Phils’ all-time hits leader in 2014,” Jackson said. “Oh, and there was that glorious parade down Broad Street. There are so many more.”

While acknowledging that he is still shocked, Jackson went on to praise the “so many people for the last decade and a half” that he was worked with, some of whom “evolved” from colleagues to “friends for life” — including Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen:

"Players, coaches, managers, general managers, training staff, public relations workers, marketing reps, producers, press box stewards, dining hall workers, and on and on, have all been so helpful. I can’t thank all of them individually right here, but I truly treasured being able to share laughs, cheers, and, yes tears over the years. My fellow broadcasters have been an absolute pleasure to work with, most especially Scott and LA, who have been there for every single year of my tenure. Scott is as good as it gets in calling a baseball game and LA is one of a kind and an absolute hoot to be around."

Jackson also thanked the Phillies fans, who he said were “awesome” to interact with, whether it be on the concourse for the pregame show, at the Phillies Phestival, or on the airwaves during rain delays.

“Your passion and energy in supporting the Phils is a huge part of the equation that has made my time with the Phillies so much fun,” Jackson said. “I hope there will be a return to winning baseball and playoff excitement at beautiful Citizens Bank Park with fans in attendance soon.”

Jackson has won several awards during his career, including the 2011 Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year Award and the 2018 Bill Campbell Broadcasting Award; he is also an eight-time Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award winner for sports play-by-play. The Gloucester Township resident and father of two credits the late Montgomery for giving him the chance to be a part of Phillies family.

“It lasted longer than either of us could possibly have expected it to,” Jackson said. “In all honesty, for me, it hasn’t really been the same since David left the scene. I miss that guy. But it was always an honor and privilege to be part of the Phillies’ organization.”

“I’ll take my many cherished memories with me into my next life chapter and always look back at my time with Phils with a smile on my face.”