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.

3. Tom Burgoyne AKA the Phillie Phanatic

Another key member of the fan experience at Citizens Bank Park is no other than the most beloved mascot in professional sports, the Phillie Phanatic.

With the official title as Phillie Phanatic Entertainment Representative in the team’s marketing department, Tom Burgoyne has brought the mascot to life ever since the 1994 season — replacing the David Raymond, who portrayed him from 1978 to 1993.

All of the laughs and entertainment you have received from the Phanatic across the past nearly 30 seasons — whether you are watching the game in-person or at home — it’s all thanks to Burgoyne. The dugout dances, skits such as smashing opposing team’s helmets, ATV shenanigans, you name it.

Unofficially known as his “best friend,” there would be no Phanatic the way we know and love him without Burgoyne. That is why he should be on the Wall of Fame.

4. Ed Wade

Without former Phillies general manager Ed Wade, there would not be the core of young players that came together and won the franchise’s second-ever World Series championship.

Wade took over Lee Thomas’ Phillies general manager duties in 1998 but was let go after the 2005 season. And while Pat Gillick may have been at the helm of the front office in 2008, it was Wade – often overlooked – who drafted and essentially assembled many of the key pieces of that team, including World Series MVP Cole Hamels.

The Phillies never made the postseason under Wade, but without him, there still might be only one red flag waving in Ashburn Alley as we speak.

5. Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke

The Phillies have never inducted a duo to their Wall of Fame before, but it is fair to say that Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke deserve to be the first.

While Andersen had already been a member of the Phillies broadcast team since 1998, Franzke made his debut in 2006 as pre and postgame radio host — as well as assuming play-by-play duties in the middle innings. One season later, Franzke was named the main play-by-play commentator on Phillies radio broadcasts and has worked alongside Andersen ever since.

In 2007 and 2008, Andersen and Franzke were honored at the Philadelphia Achievement in Radio Awards for best live sports event coverage. In 2017, the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association presented the duo with the Bill Campbell Award for local broadcasting excellence.

Individually, Andersen has made an impact in professional baseball for many years prior, being a former relief pitcher who played 17 major league seasons — including 1983-86 and 1993-94 with the Phillies. Andersen holds the Phillies’ team record for longest consecutive scoreless innings streak by a reliever (32 2/3). In 1983 and 1993, he appeared with the team in the World Series.

After his playing career, Andersen spent three seasons as a Phillies minor-league pitching coach, both at the Double-A (1995-96) and Triple-A level (1997).

As for Franzke, he is a 2010 and 2015 recipient of the Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year Award. Before joining the Phillies, the Texas native worked radio duties in the Texas Rangers and then-Florida Marlins organizations.

It would be difficult to think what the Phillies would be as we know them, without Anderson and Franzke. Their voices filled the airwaves during the team’s 2007-11 postseason window. Hopefully, 2021 is the year this magic can return.