NEWTOWN SQUARE–The Broomall Rotary Club recently hosted Chris Wheeler at a weekly meeting at the Newtown Grill. Wheeler has been the announcer for the Phillies since 1971, where he worked with legends Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas.

He has been a welcome guest speaker of the club several times over the past few years and is pictured here with Rotarian Seth Rosenberg, who has arranged these engagements. Wheeler’s talks are a popular club event and rotarians have joined in from the Rotary Clubs of Newtown Square, Havertown and Malvern-Paoli-Berwyn.

Wheeler, a native of Newtown Square, is a graduate of Marple Newtown High School and Penn State University. He has never lost his affection for his hometown and in 2009 served as Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade. Wheeler mentioned that he always enjoys coming to the Broomall Rotary Club dinner meetings, then added, jokingly to the members, “And especially when they are here in Newtown Square.” 

“Wheels," recalled that as a young man in summer camp he dated a girl whose father was a well known announcer at WCAU. He remained friends with her family and years later the gentleman helped guide Wheeler’s own career in broadcasting. Today, when he is asked how to become an announcer, he replies, “Date the right girl.”

Wheeler told many good natured anecdotes about athletes and celebrities in professional baseball and answered questions from the audience. A member asked what made the big difference for the Phillies' dramatic improvement in recent years. Wheeler said it was the new stadium. The contract at Vet Stadium gave lots of money to the city and others, but little to the club. The contract at Citizens Bank Park gave the club the ability to recruit the best players and staff.

For more information on Broomall Rotary, visit www.broomallrotary.com.