He was a natural.
The Phillies held an auction for one fan to call an inning on 94WIP on Wednesday night — and listeners could not believe what they were hearing.
A fan named Lewis Kalb crushed his opportunity to join Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen for the top of the third inning for the contest against the Nationals. He immediately received high praise online, especially for mixing witty banter with inside knowledge.
Kalb had a voice made for radio, calling the game as if he had been doing so for years.
His inning of work quickly went viral, with many cheering for him to be hired for a full-time gig. Some wondered if he had any prior experience behind the mic, with others pondering, considering his distinct voice, if he was doing a bit.
“Nothing can prepare you for how this guys voice sounds,” one fan wrote on X.
The play-by-play opportunity is one of the top prizes of the Phillies’ Phantastic Auction, which is hosted in a collaboration with the Phillies and Audacy’s SportsRadio 94WIP. The proceeds support Phillies Charities and local causes, including ALS initiatives.
Kalb, a substitute teacher and native of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, has spent time calling youth sports in his hometown. He called it a “dream come true” to be in the Phillies booth.
The Phillies would go on to lose the rainy game in extras as the Nationals put up six runs in the 11th inning, which sealed the win after the Phillies couldn’t score in the bottom frame.
Not long after Kalb exited the booth, Phillies starter Andrew Painter exited the game with a hamstring issue after four innings. Luis Arraez, who the Phillies acquired before Monday’s trade deadline, homered in his Philadelphia debut.
The NL East rivals will close out their four-game set on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
