News: Kruk’s broadcasting role, Brown to Rockies
Photo by Joe Wombough
Good morning! We got the news:
KRUKKER BARREL: Todd Zolecki reported Monday that newest Phillies broadcaster John Kruk will essentially split duties with fellow color commentator Ben Davis.
That’s the same role Matt Stairs had on the broadcasting team. Stairs is now the Phillies hitting coach.
INSTRUCT US: The Phillies announced its annual collection of guest instructors at spring training. They are … (drumroll) … Mike Schmidt, Larry Andersen, Charlie Manuel, Brad Lidge … Chad Durbin and Wes Helms.
What a fun group.
Kidding aside, these are guys who’ve played at a high level. They all made it to the Show and can really help the kids develop. Always good to surround youth with guys who’ve been through the ringer.
A DOM SIGHTING!: Dominic Brown on Tuesday signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies.
Brown spent all of 2016 in Buffalo, hitting .239/.303/.336 for the Blue Jays’ triple-A affiliate.
Brown was an all star for the Phillies in 2013.
DOMINICAN SERIES: You have to read Matt Gelb’s series “Phillies in the Dominican: Raising the Stakes.” Today’s story is about the Phillies’ efforts educating Dominican men in its baseball academy. Potential or not, guys are getting opportunities to make better lives.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: On this, the first day of Black History Month, Billy Penn looks at the Phillies’ first black player, John Kennedy. The Phils were the last National League team to integrate, and Kennedy only played five games despite a great spring training performance.
