Phillies: 5 Unexpected-but-deserving Wall of Fame candidates

5 Deserving Phillies Legends Who Deserve Future Wall of Fame Consideration

This weekend, a key member of the 1980 World Series championship team — Manny Trillo — became the 42nd member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization to be inducted into the team’s Wall of Fame.

Considered one of the Phillies’ highest honors, the Wall of Fame features alumni who made a significant impact. This tradition began in 1978 when both Phillies and Philadelphia Athletics were enshrined in a 200-level display at Veterans Stadium — originally called the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame.

Now, only Phillies are honored at the recently relocated Wall of Fame behind the left-field scoreboard. Among the most recent to be inducted include outfielder Bobby Abreu (2019), the late Roy Halladay (2018), general manager Pat Gillick (2018), first baseman Jim Thome (2016), outfielder Pat Burrell (2015), and manager Charlie Manuel (2014).

While iconic members from the most recent postseason window will surely be inducted over the coming seasons — such as Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, and Carlos Ruiz — there are members of the organization who may fly “under the radar” for this type of honor, but deserve consideration nonetheless. Here are five of them.

1. Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler

Longtime Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler does not necessarily fall into the Phillies Wall of Fame eligibility criteria — being an executive, player, manager or coach with four or more years of service. Yet, a rare exception should be made for him.

Beginning his career in the organization as assistant director of public relations, “Wheels” first started broadcasting Phillies games in 1977, working on radio, as well as television — PRISM TV and ComcastSportsNet. Only late legend Harry Kalas (38) has had a longer tenure on the air with the Phillies than Wheeler, beating him out by one season (37).

In addition to his many years in the broadcast booth, Wheeler has done public address announcing for almost all Phillies Spring Training games in Clearwater since 1972 — first at Jack Russell Stadium and now BayCare Ballpark. Also, Wheeler servers as the Phillies’ director of community relations, among many other positions over the years.

For someone who has made a great impact to the organization for so long, “Wheels” is surely Wall-of-Fame deserving.