Paul Hagen

Paul Hagen writes a weekly Phillies column for PhillyVoice.com. He’s been reporting and opinionating about the Fightin’s since 1987 which, if you’re old enough, you’ll remember was the year Lance Parrish was signed as a free agent. After 25 years with the Philadelphia Daily News he worked for MLB.com until 2018. Not a total dinosaur, he’s on Twitter @hagenp.

January 15, 2020

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Phillies made all the right moves with Odubel Herrera... so far

by Paul Hagen

It was anything but routine, of course. It was old-fashioned hardball and it was a concession to reality and it was a recognition that baseball, in the oft-repeated words of former commissioner Bud Selig, is a social institution with all the responsibilities that implies.

January 9, 2020

Phillies

Paul Hagen: When will a true Phillies player make the baseball Hall of Fame?

by Paul Hagen

When Roy Halladay was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer, the Phillies front office was out in force to support the righthander who, among other accomplishments, had a perfect game, the second postseason no-hitter in baseball history and a Cy Young during his time with the organization.

December 16, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: The Phillies are better, but still not better than their NL East competition

by Paul Hagen

Now, while we’re on the subject, here’s a position-by-position opinion on where the Phillies rank in the division.

December 4, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: The Phillies should STILL break the bank for Gerrit Cole, and here's why

by Paul Hagen

In a perfect world, the Phils wouldn’t have to consider whether to make a breathtaking, record-setting bid on free agent righthander Gerrit Cole. Well, spoiler alert, 81 wins and a fourth-place finish and one fired manager leaves this franchise far short of baseball nirvana. And anybody who was paying the slightest bit of attention knows that pitching problems were the primary culprit in watching a season that opened with such promise curdle into disappointment.

October 23, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Curt Schilling a perfect fit to coach Phillies pitchers.... hear me out

by Paul Hagen

“I know pitching. I’ve always known pitching. I know pitching as well as anybody alive,” he said by phone. “I think I was and could be and am an incredibly good teacher.”

October 10, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: In firing Gabe Kapler, John Middleton makes it clear who runs the Phillies

by Paul Hagen

After days of contemplation stretched to weeks stretched to months, Phillies managing partner John Middleton finally handed down his verdict Thursday. Manager Gabe Kapler, gone after two unique seasons.

September 30, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Burning questions for the Phillies as intriguing offseason begins

by Paul Hagen

I won’t get a vote. But if managing partner John Middleton asked me to run the org meetings, here are the answers he’d get to the most pressing questions confronting his franchise...

September 24, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Should Kapler be back? And other random thoughts on the now-eliminated Phillies

by Paul Hagen

Here’s a special elimination edition of Random Thoughts after a 4-1 loss at Washington in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader made it official. Including the out-of-sight-out-of-mind outfielder, whether or not manager Gabe Kapler should be back, what former NFL great Joe Theismann can teach top prospect Alec Bohm and putting Bryce Harper’s season in perspective.

September 16, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Why don't Phillies fans seem to care about a team in the thick of a playoff race?

by Paul Hagen

So the Braves rolled into Citizens Bank Park last week and all the ingredients for some September drama were in place. A first-place division rival. A home team desperately needing wins to keep its postseason chances alive. The only thing missing, as it turned out, was spectators.

September 9, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: In defense of Phillies GM Matt Klentak

by Paul Hagen

You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m not inclined to eviscerate Phillies GM Matt Klentak. If you fervently believe he’s the problem, it will be better for your blood pressure if you stop reading now. Otherwise, please continue.