Chris Wheeler
{{Short description|Retired Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster}}
{{for multi|the Australian Olympic cyclist|Chris Wheeler (cyclist)|the chef|Chris Wheeler (chef)}}
{{Infobox sports announcer
| name
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|8|9}}
| birth_place = Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| team = Philadelphia Phillies (1977–2013)
| team homepage = [https://web.archive.org/web/20070416194056/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=phi#chris_wheeler Phillies Broadcasters]
| genre = Color commentator
| sport = Baseball
}}
Chris Wheeler (born August 9, 1945)[http://mlb.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=phi Wheeler's bio on Phillies.com] Retrieved 2010-08-06 is a former announcer and color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball. He is nicknamed "Wheels".[http://www.thefightins.com/meechone/watch-as-sarge-matthews-calls-chris-wheeler-muffin-on-live-tv/ Phillies postgame interview with Ryan Howard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122213702/http://www.thefightins.com/meechone/watch-as-sarge-matthews-calls-chris-wheeler-muffin-on-live-tv/ |date=2011-11-22 }} Retrieved 2011-09-12{{YouTube|o18-IgXQ7ZY|Phillies postgame interview with Chase Utley}} Retrieved 2011-09-12
Early life and education
Wheeler was born August 9, 1945 in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. He attended Marple Newtown High School in Pennsylvania and then Penn State University, where he received a B.A. in journalism in 1967.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-07-28/news/64923314_1_chicago-cubs-no-hitter-phils|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907022827/http://articles.philly.com/2015-07-28/news/64923314_1_chicago-cubs-no-hitter-phils|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2015|title=Chillin' Wit' Chris Wheeler, Former Phillies Broadcaster|publisher=Philly.com |first=Regina|last=Medina|date=July 28, 2015|access-date=October 5, 2016}}
Career
Following graduation, he began his broadcasting career with WCAU radio in Philadelphia, where he was an airborne traffic reporter as well as a news writer and reporter. He later worked at WBBM in Chicago and CBS Radio in New York City.
Wheeler joined the Philadelphia Phillies as assistant director of publicity and public relations in 1971 and began broadcasting in 1977.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-tv-broadcasters-chris-wheeler-gary-matthews-set-for-new-roles/c-66399898|title=Post-Comcast Deal, Changes for Phils' Booth|work=MLB.com |first=Todd |last=Zolecki |date=January 8, 2014|access-date=October 5, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://timesleader.com/sports/505752/chris-wheeler-misses-the-dream-he-lived|title=Chris Wheeler Misses the Dream He Lived|publisher=Times Leader|first=Brian |last=Smith|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2016}}
In 1982, he was appointed director of the Phillies' community relations department. He was the camp coordinator for Phillies Dream Week from 1983 to 1999 and ran the team's speakers bureau from 1991 to 1997. He was released as a Phillies broadcaster on January 8, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20140108_ap_cc1da3425c724e91a45bc1bc901a3bd7.html |title= Phils announcers Chris Wheeler, Gary Matthews out|website=www.philly.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108192653/http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20140108_ap_cc1da3425c724e91a45bc1bc901a3bd7.html |archive-date=January 8, 2014}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-wheeler-s-phillies-broadcasting-career "Phillies Royalty: 'Wheels'"], Major League Baseball, June 20, 2021
{{Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheeler, Chris}}
Category:American sports announcers
Category:Baseball players from Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Category:Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications alumni
Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters
Category:People from Darby, Pennsylvania
Category:People from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Category:Philadelphia Phillies announcers
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
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