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View from the Booth: Four Decades With the Phillies
Chris Wheeler is coming up on his 40th year working for the Philadelphia Phillies, the last 33 as a widely recognized television and radio broadcaster. He is one of the few people in the Phillies to have participated in both championship seasons 1980 and 2008.
As Tim McCarver points out in his Foreword, Chris Wheeler is accomplished at telling stories. From his first experience behind a mike at Penn State in the 1960s to his reflections on the Phillies ring ceremony at the Ball Park on April 8, 2009, Wheels can paint word pictures like few broadcasters in any sport. His View from the Booth encompasses memorable portraits of people and places you re invited to share, all the highs and lows of nearly four decades with the never-boring Philadelphia Phillies.
As Tim McCarver points out in his Foreword, Chris Wheeler is accomplished at telling stories. From his first experience behind a mike at Penn State in the 1960s to his reflections on the Phillies ring ceremony at the Ball Park on April 8, 2009, Wheels can paint word pictures like few broadcasters in any sport. His View from the Booth encompasses memorable portraits of people and places you re invited to share, all the highs and lows of nearly four decades with the never-boring Philadelphia Phillies.
- GenresSports
219 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2009
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About the author
Chris Wheeler
3 booksChris Wheeler is a former announcer and color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball. He is nicknamed "Wheels".
Wheeler attended Marple Newtown High School in Pennsylvania and received a B.A. in journalism from Penn State University in 1967. Following graduation, he began his broadcasting career with WCAU radio in Philadelphia, where he was an airborne traffic reporter as well as a news writer and reporter. He later worked at WBBM in Chicago and CBS Radio in New York.
Wheeler joined the Phillies as assistant director of publicity and public relations in 1971 and began broadcasting in 1977. In 1982, he also was made director of the Phillies' community relations department. He was the camp coordinator for Phillies Dream Week from 1983 to 1999 and ran the team's speakers bureau from 1991 to 1997. He was released as a Phillies broadcaster on January 8, 2014
Wheeler attended Marple Newtown High School in Pennsylvania and received a B.A. in journalism from Penn State University in 1967. Following graduation, he began his broadcasting career with WCAU radio in Philadelphia, where he was an airborne traffic reporter as well as a news writer and reporter. He later worked at WBBM in Chicago and CBS Radio in New York.
Wheeler joined the Phillies as assistant director of publicity and public relations in 1971 and began broadcasting in 1977. In 1982, he also was made director of the Phillies' community relations department. He was the camp coordinator for Phillies Dream Week from 1983 to 1999 and ran the team's speakers bureau from 1991 to 1997. He was released as a Phillies broadcaster on January 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 18, 2020
Easy read. Brought back some memories as the book started with Bill Campbell as one of the early broadcasters of Phillies games. Wheeler also discussed his experiences with Richie Ashburn, Harry Kalas, Tim McCarver, Andy Musser, John Kruk and others. Wheeler also discussed the Phillies managers that he worked with including Dallas Green, Charlie Manuel, Jim Fregosi, Larry Bowa etc.
You are not going to find any salacious stories or dirt revealed in this book. Lots of great anecdotes, especially about Richie Ashburn, who had a wicked sense of humor.
This book covered the World Series successes in 1980 and 2008. (Geez it has been over 12 years ago!) I enjoyed Wheeler's memories of the parades through Philadelphia. The book also covered the death of Harry Kalas. I remember the shock of his death while he was getting to broadcast a game.
Some great Phillies memories...
You are not going to find any salacious stories or dirt revealed in this book. Lots of great anecdotes, especially about Richie Ashburn, who had a wicked sense of humor.
This book covered the World Series successes in 1980 and 2008. (Geez it has been over 12 years ago!) I enjoyed Wheeler's memories of the parades through Philadelphia. The book also covered the death of Harry Kalas. I remember the shock of his death while he was getting to broadcast a game.
Some great Phillies memories...
May 2, 2022
Great insider view of Phillies baseball
Heartfelt stories of the games, players and broadcasters of that all Phillies fans will treasure. Wheeler brings the reader with him as he recollects his forty year career with the team with all the triumph s and tragedies of a team he truly loves.
Heartfelt stories of the games, players and broadcasters of that all Phillies fans will treasure. Wheeler brings the reader with him as he recollects his forty year career with the team with all the triumph s and tragedies of a team he truly loves.
December 18, 2012
Prior to reading this book, when Harry Kalas did play by play, Richie Ashburn did color and Chris Wheeler did analysis, I had a high opinion of CHris Wheeler. Now that Richie and Harry are gone, I am really upset with Wheeler, Matthews, and McCarthy because we have three analyst, no color and no play by play.
Having read the book, I realize how I dislike Chris Wheeler, or at least in the manner he portrays himself. The book I liked,the character, not somuch.
Having read the book, I realize how I dislike Chris Wheeler, or at least in the manner he portrays himself. The book I liked,the character, not somuch.
August 21, 2013
I'm a big Phillies fan and this a great book for anyone that enjoys reading about the Phillies especially for the players and TV/Radio announcers that have been with the Phillies from the early 1970s through the 2008 championship year. The book certainly reads similar to actually hearing Chris Wheeler tell you the story, some of which I've probably heard before (although I don't think he says "middle-in" once...). The book also has some great pictures.
January 14, 2010
Great book for all Phillies fans. Chris is also a great guy that will take the time to talk with fans. This book gives the fans an insight to the men behind the team. they are much different than what the papers write.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews