A Phillies fan named Lewis Kalb surprised listeners and online viewers Wednesday night when he took the microphone to call an inning of the game against the Nationals. Kalb won the opportunity through an auction hosted by Audacy's SportsRadio 94WIP in collaboration with the Phillies, with proceeds benefiting Phillies Charities and ALS initiatives.
Kalb, a substitute teacher from Medford Lakes, New Jersey, joined play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke and analyst Larry Andersen for the top of the third inning. His performance quickly gained traction online, with many praising his apparent natural talent for radio. Listeners noted his ability to blend witty commentary with an insider's knowledge of the game, leading to speculation about his prior experience or if his distinctive voice was a deliberate act.
"Nothing can prepare you for how this guys voice sounds," one user commented on X, formerly Twitter. Kalb himself described the experience as a "dream come true" and mentioned he has previously called youth sports in his hometown.
Despite Kalb's impressive broadcast, the game itself ended in a loss for the Phillies in extra innings, with the Nationals scoring six runs in the 11th. Earlier in the game, Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter exited with a hamstring issue after four innings. However, the team saw a positive debut from Luis Arraez, who homered in his first game with Philadelphia after being acquired before Monday's trade deadline. The Phillies and Nationals are scheduled to conclude their four-game series on Thursday evening.