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.

September 3, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: The Phillies can still make a postseason run — but will they?

by Paul Hagen

When Gabe Kapler says, as he has so many times lately, that this year’s edition still has a run left or still has its best baseball of the season ahead of it or something along those lines, there’s only one possible response. Of course, it can happen. But will it happen for this team, this year?

August 26, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: What's even worse for Phillies than losing to the Marlins?

by Paul Hagen

And what’s even more troubling is that the problems so neatly illustrated go far beyond losing twice to the team with the National League’s worst record. As unsightly as that was – and there aren’t enough words in a thesaurus to fully describe the ugliness – it ultimately was just three games.

August 19, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Is there a Bryce Harper-Charlie Manuel conspiracy?

by Paul Hagen

This may be wrong. This may be off base. This may be what my parents used to eloquently refer to as a bunch of baloney. At the same time, who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory?

August 12, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: For Kapler and the Phillies, actions must speak louder than words

by Paul Hagen

I’d like to propose that we all stop squandering so much time and psychic energy worrying about what Gabe Kapler says, especially in his postgame press conferences.

August 5, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: The Phillies could face unforeseen consequences for demoting Maikel Franco

by Paul Hagen

Bottom line, Franco is now an IronPig for the first time since 2015 because a decision was made that that makes the Phillies a better team. On paper, that could be true.

July 29, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Will the Phillies be buyers or sellers at the deadline? It's complicated.

by Paul Hagen

The Phillies squandered a late five-run lead in Game 4 of the 1993 World Series, at the time officially the longest (four hours and 14 minutes) and unofficially one of the sloppiest (played through drenching rains) in history.

July 21, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Roy Halladay's Hall of Fame induction was upliftingly exuberant and unspeakably sad

by Paul Hagen

Baseball players are our constant summer companions. We spend virtual time with them night after night. Our emotions become entwined with their successes and failures. We feel like we know them. We don’t know them at all.

July 15, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Has Bryce Harper been a disappointment so far for Phillies?

by Paul Hagen

Which brings us to Bryce Harper. You know, the guy who set off a gusher of enthusiasm in these parts when he was signed as a free agent during spring training and is only half a season into a 13-year deal. Breaking news: There are some who’ve been disappointed in him.

July 8, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Some random Phillies thoughts heading into the MLB All-Star break

by Paul Hagen

The Phillies rotation already resembled the late stages of a Jenga game even before Jake Arrieta conceded late Saturday night that he sort of, kinda, maybe, might be dealing with some sort of physical problem which has since been reported to be a bone spur in his elbow.

July 1, 2019

Phillies

Paul Hagen: Series vs. Braves could determine fate of Phillies’ season

by Paul Hagen

So, yeah. Even though the All-Star Game hasn’t been played yet, this is an important series for the Phillies. Because of what it means in the standings right now and because of the ripple effect it could have on how the days between now and the deadline unfold.