The Phils are bringing back Tom McCarthy. The former Phillies broadcaster spent two years as a play-by-play man for the Mets. He’ll be taking the middle innings on TV, while Harry Kalas mans innings 1-3 and 7-9, like he did two years ago. Chris Wheeler will return to color commentating, as will Larry Andersen, who was doing radio play-by-play last year. Scott Franzke will do those duties, along with Kalas in the fourth (and likely McCarthy in some fashion). Gary Matthews will continue doing color commentary as well. And Jim Jackson will continue with pre-game and post-game show duties.

There are now seven men covering the Phillies through voice. That’s about two too many.

Of course, there’s been much talk about Harry Kalas retiring at some point soon. Who knows the truth to that. But let’s say that’s true, and it seems McCarthy and Franzke would be trying out for the replacement gig as No. 1.

Of the remaining four, the most easily replaceable are Matthews and Jackson, but the most preferable in fans’ eyes are Matthews and Wheeler. But without Matthews and Wheeler, there’s no true color guy remaining, sans Andersen. I say a five man team of Kalas/McCarthy/Franzke/Wheeler/Andersen works best. Here’s your alignment:

TV 1-3, 7-9: Kalas & Andersen
TV 4-6: McCarthy & Wheeler
Radio 1-3: Franzke & Wheeler
Radio 4: Kalas & Andersen
Radio 5-6: Franzke & Andersen
Radio 7-9: McCarthy & Wheeler

McCarthy gets the pre-game and Franzke gets the post-game. No need for anything more.