The Phillies Show

Bryce Harper is having a MVP-caliber season as the Phillies have raced to the best record in Major League Baseball. He joined The Phillies Show before the team's trip to Europe to play the New York Mets in the 2024 London Series at London Stadium.

Harper discussed a wide range of topics in a fun and insightful interview:

- The Phillies' remarkable start and what he expects this summer and fall at Citizens Bank Park. - How much winning a World Series with the Phillies would mean to him. - The hilarious London Series promo he shot with Phillies legend Chase Utley and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" creator and star Rob McElhenney. - A few surprises for fans in London, including a cool look for the Under Armour Harper 9 cleats, which debut in England. - His love for the Phillie Phanatic. - How he once used an autographed Pete Rose bat to play for Team USA in Venezuela. - Harper's love for baseball as a kid, and the incredible drills he and his dad did. - His advice to parents who want to help their children play baseball.

Plus, much more!

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The Phillies open a three-game series on Monday night against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park, which means Rhys Hoskins will be back at the Bank for the first time since his Phillies career officially ended last fall. Ruben, Jim and Todd share their favorite stories and memories about Hoskins, who not only was a productive bat in the middle of the Phillies lineup or years, but a leader in the clubhouse and in the community.

The Phillies might have lost Brandon Marsh to the injured list on Sunday night, when he strained his right hamstring. What are the options to replace Marsh in left field? Whit Merrifield, Kody Clemens and Cristian Pache immediately come to mind. Rob Thomson has hinted at Edmundo Sosa possibly seeing time in the outfield once Trea Turner returns. What about options they might have in Triple-A?

Ranger Suárez dodged a bullet on Saturday, when a ball struck him in his right hand. He might pitch Saturday in London. He might not. If not, who does? We go back to Spencer Turnbull being one of the baseball’s best baseball offseason signings.

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The Phillies left for a West Coast road trip with the best record in baseball. They returned with the best record in baseball, despite going 2-4 in Colorado and San Francisco. But some of the team's blemishes bubbled up on the trip, including the lack of offensive production from the outfield and Taijuan Walker's struggles in the rotation. It led to discussion about the July 30 trade deadline, and how these potential issues could be addressed by Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies front office.

Ruben, Jim and Todd also answer some listener questions, and recap their personal highlights from their recent interview with Chase Utley.

Chase Utley is the greatest second baseman in Phillies history, a 2008 World Series champion, a sure-fire Phillies Wall of Famer and a potential Hall of Famer. He was in Philadelphia recently to promote the 2024 London Series between the Phillies and Mets on June 8-9 at London Stadium.

While Utley was in town, he spent some time with The Phillies Show. They talked about the London Series, Utley’s life in Europe and more than a few stories from his playing career:

- The infamous Yasiel Puig story from Utley’s Los Angeles Dodgers days.

- The crazy places Utley has heard “World F------ Champions!”

- The genius of Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

- Utley’s recollections about Ruben trading him to the Dodgers.

- How Utley’s famously intense game prep helped not only himself, but his teammates.

- Plus, much more.

Utley goes deeper on the stories you think you already knew, while telling stories nobody’s ever heard before.

If you're watching the Phillies, then you know they're off to their best start in franchise history, and the best start in baseball since the 2001 Mariners. Ruben, Jim and Todd try to wrap their minds around the Phillies' historic start, discussing what has jumped out to them and why they believe the players in the clubhouse will maintain their focus and continue to play with an edge the rest of the season.

There is plenty of praise for Edmundo Sosa, who has thrived at shortstop while Trea Turner has been on the IL.

Ruben also explains what he meant he said he would rub his entire body on Ranger Suárez for good luck, while Jim offers a peek at what will be on his grill this Memorial Day weekend.

The Phillies swept the Nationals over the weekend, and Kody Clemens led the way. He hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning on Saturday. He hit a go-ahead double in the fifth inning on Sunday. Ruben, Jim and Todd talk about Clemens' massive contributions, and what the future might hold for him.

The Phillies are 34-14, tying the `93 and `76 Phils for the best 48-game start in club history. Only four teams in MLB have started 34-14 or better this century: 2023 Rays (34-14), 2016 Cubs (34-14), 2006 Tigers (34-14) and 2001 Mariners (36-12).

Jim loves Rob Thomson's message to his players to keep the motivated.

The gang also digs into Bryson Stott's turnaround; how the Phillies could make the case for four NL All-Star infielders with Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner and Stott; Cristopher Sanchez's development, which had him touching 98 mph in the sixth inning on Saturday; and this week's matchup against the World Series-champion Texas Rangers.

Ruben, Jim and Todd answer questions from The Phillies Show listeners.

We discuss Bryson Stott’s and Brandon Marsh’s development against left-handed pitching; Kyle Schwarber’s bat speed; stats that jump out to us, including Alec Bohm’s ridiculous production with runners in scoring position; the Phillies’ biggest need before the July 30 trade deadline; which `08 Phillies numbers should be retired; why in the world Ruben and Jim sign off every episode with a “smell ya later,” and much more.

The Phillies crushed the Marlins on Friday and Saturday. It set up for another series sweep on Sunday, especially with Zack Wheeler on the mound. But Wheeler struggled and just like that the Phillies lost the series finale in 10 innings.

It happens.

The gang discusses Wheeler's start, but also digs into something a little more concerning: Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are dinged up. Neither injury is believed to be serious, but health (or a lack thereof) might be the only thing that can derail the Phillies right now. They also get into Nick Castellanos' and Bryson Stott's recent hot streaks and more.

The Phillies snapped an 11-game winning streak at Citizens Bank Park with a loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, but they still have the best record in baseball. They have it, even though Bryce Harper hasn't been on one of his trademark hot stretches yet.

But Harper might be heating up. A recent conversation he had with Trea Turner might've gotten him going.

The gang talks about Harper's recent at-bats, plus Bryson Stott's move to shortstop, Spencer Turnbull's role in the bullpen and the team's upcoming trip to Miami.

The Phillies have the best record in baseball. It is their best start since 1995. Everything is going smoothly. Right? Well, they learned Saturday that Trea Turner will miss at least six weeks with a strained left hamstring.

How well are the Phillies positioned to handle Turner's loss?

Taijuan Walker is back in the rotation. Walker's return has bumped Spencer Turnbull to the bullpen, but even Walker said Turnbull will be back at some point. Ruben, Jim and Todd discuss a "problem" that most teams would love to have. The gang looks ahead at this week's series against the Blue Jays, and Ruben shows everybody an awesome piece of Amaro family baseball memorabilia.