Franzke and Hamels Called Phillies Season Finale
Scott Franzke joined Cole Hamels and Ben Davis to cover the final regular season game for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Baseball
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Scott Franzke moved from his radio role to call the Philadelphia Phillies' final 2026 regular season game on September 27. He was joined in the booth by color commentators Cole Hamels and Ben Davis.
Why it matters
The broadcast shakeup occurred because regular announcer Tom McCarthy was assigned to an NFL game, while John Kruk was absent for a family event.
Cole Hamels provided color commentary for his 9th broadcast of the season during the final three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The players
Scott Franzke
He is a veteran broadcaster who typically serves as the primary radio voice for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cole Hamels
He is a former professional pitcher for the Phillies and a decorated World Series MVP.
Ben Davis
He is a former professional baseball player who serves as a regular member of the Phillies' broadcast team.
Tom McCarthy
He is the lead television play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies who also calls national NFL broadcasts.
John Kruk
He is a former All-Star first baseman for the Phillies and a prominent member of their television broadcast crew.
The details
Scott Franzke stepped in to handle play-by-play duties while Tom McCarthy called an NFL matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Meanwhile, John Kruk missed the series in Philadelphia to attend his daughter's volleyball tournament in San Antonio.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: Scott Franzke, Cole Hamels, and Ben Davis called the Phillies' final regular season game.
Season Trajectory
The broadcast personnel shift coincided with the conclusion of the 2026 MLB regular season schedule, providing a final test of the team's depth. The temporary lineup change reflects the broader overlap between professional baseball and football broadcasting seasons.
Viewers experienced a unique broadcast team for the final game of the year, replacing the standard booth configuration with a combination of radio and special guest analysis. This change serves as the final statistical marker for the regular season commentary roster.
The takeaway
Broadcast teams often rotate during the final stretch of the season as announcers pursue national assignments or personal commitments. Staying updated on these personnel changes helps fans anticipate the voices they will hear during season-ending coverage.
What happens next
Tom McCarthy is expected to call a playoff game for NBC following the conclusion of the MLB regular season.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Philadelphia Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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