Phillies Extra

As the Phillies prepare to open the postseason, there's no better time to sit down with the greatest player in franchise history. Mike Schmidt joins "Phillies Extra" to share his thoughts on the team's quest to win the World Series, Kyle Schwarber's big season, Pete Rose's Hall of Fame chances, and more.

Adam Wainwright won 200 games over 18 seasons as a pitching mainstay with the St. Louis Cardinals and had some memorable duels with Zack Wheeler, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and other Phillies players. Wainwright joins "Phillies Extra" to share his thoughts on the Phillies' chances for a long playoff run, his experience as Harrison Bader's teammate in St. Louis, charity work with Aaron Nola, and more.

The Phillies planned for Andrew Painter to make his major league debut this season. Instead, he posted a 5.40 ERA in triple-A. But after missing two seasons because of an elbow injury that required surgery, the 22-year-old top prospect stayed healthy for 26 starts and 118 innings, more than doubling his career total in the minors. Painter sat down with Phillies Extra this week in Allentown for a candid conversation about his season.

Nobody will forget Brad Lidge’s last pitch in the 2008 World Series. Seventeen years later, the Phillies have a closer with championship-clinching stuff. Lidge joined The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss Jhoan Duran, what it takes to close out playoff games, the remade Phillies bullpen, and more.

It's September, the stretch run is upon us, and the Phillies are making some final touches to the roster as they try to sew up a playoff spot and repeat as NL East champs. General manager Preston Mattingly joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber to discuss the recent additions of pitchers Tim Mayza and Walker Buehler, a challenging season in triple A for top prospect Andrew Painter, the state of the outfield rotation, and more.

In 1996, David Cone was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right arm — a condition that threatened more than just his baseball career. So when news broke that Zack Wheeler had a blood clot removed and is now set to undergo surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, Cone could relate. Ahead of his call of the Phillies-Braves on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, Cone joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss Wheeler and the state of the Phillies’ rotation with a month left in the regular season. Watch here.

A first-round pick by the Phillies in 2024, Dante Nori is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in their system by MLB.com. He also happens to be an avid collector of his own baseball cards. The single-A outfielder joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to talk about his development over his first full minor league season, his NBA coach father, the pursuit of his own cards, and more. Plus, an update on Zack Wheeler's health situation.

Since 2022, Matt Strahm has been one of baseball’s most reliable relievers — and a key anchor in the Phillies’ bullpen. Off the field, he’s a passionate baseball card collector. Strahm joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to discuss the bullpen’s outlook with new closer Jhoan Duran, helping Bryce Harper build his own card collection, and more.

The baseball world is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Former Phillies outfielder Gary Matthews became close with Sandberg while playing alongside him on one of the most beloved teams in Cubs history in 1984. Matthews joins The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber to share stories and memories of a baseball icon. 

Mike Lieberthal spent 13 seasons with the Phillies and holds the franchise record for most games caught. Lieberthal joins The Inquirer's Scott Lauber on the Phillies' alumni weekend to discuss the induction of his former teammate, Jimmy Rollins, and former GM Ed Wade into the team's Wall of Fame. Plus, a full recap of the Phillies at the trade deadline.