The Tim DeMoss Show

Dan Baker--Philadelphia Phillies public address announcer since 1972--joins the show in advance of the Chase Utley Phillies Wall of Fame induction ceremony tonight at Citizens Bank Park, kicking off Phillies Alumni Weekend. 

Baker shares his thoughts on Utley, his craft of announcing (which has included six World Series, plus 30 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, 21 years of Big 5 Basketball, 15 years with Drexel University men's basketball radio, multiple Army-Navy games, and much more), his parents' influence on his work, and some of his favorite players to announce (and why), even mixing in a few of them on the show :).

Baker also compares and contrasts the 1976, 1996, and 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Games hosted in Philadelphia, all three for which has been the public address announcer.

Born in Philadelphia, raised in Mt. Ephraim, NJ, a graduate of Audubon NJ High School, with an undergraduate degree from Glassboro State (now Rowan) University and a master's degree from Temple University, Baker is a local treasure whose professional career speaks (literally) for itself :).

Tonight's ceremony begins at 615pm with the Phillies squaring off against the 2025 World Series finalist Toronto Blue Jays at 640pm. More information on Phillies Alumni Weekend--including the 60+ players anticipated for Sunday's afternoon game--is available at www.phillies.com, where you can also stream tonight's ceremony.

Sports clips:
Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)
Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles head coach) (philadelphiaeagles.com)
Jaylen Brown (Philadelphia 76ers forward) (76ers YouTube page)

Jeff Howard (principal at Cedar Grove Christian Academy) checks in with insight about the school's day-to-day, their approach to Christian education, and what the Cedar Grove experience offers students and their families.

Cedar Grove has participated in WFIL's "Half-Price Tuition Program" for a number of years, and while this year's half-price tuitions have been accounted for, there is still room in a few classes for those still looking for a quality, Bible-based, Christian education. Howard also mentions a need for several middle school teachers (with a handful of long-timers recently retiring). You can inquire about the teaching positions and/or set up a tour of Cedar Grove for your potential student at 215-725-3383 or at www.cgca.org.

Gary Schneeberger (Focus on the Family Assistant to the President for Media Relations) also joins the show to share about the initial stages of the ministry's search for a new president, with Jim Daly (after nearly 20 years) beginning the process of handing off the reigns over the next 12-18 months. You can catch the daily program (Focus on the Family with Jim Daly) weekdays at 7am and 830pm on WFIL and get more information on the ministry at www.focusonthefamily.com. 

Sports audio:
Luis Arraez (Philadelphia Phillies second baseman) (MLB.com)
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback) (philadelphiaeagles.com)

A.J. Croce (singer/songwriter & son of Jim Croce) checks in regarding all things Croce (A.J. and father Jim) music. He discusses his parents' influence on him musically, opportunities to work with the likes of B.B. King, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and many more, his latest CD "The Heart of the Eternal" and insight into his approach to honing his craft.

A.J. is currently performing his "Croce Plays Croce--A New Chapter in a Musical Odyssey" tour in the Tri-State Area this week (in Phoenixville Wed 8/5, Kennett Square Thurs 8/6, and Cape May NJ Fri 8/7). More information on the tour and his music is available at www.ajcrocemusic.com.

Amy Grant graces the show today! We discuss her upcoming concert in Glenside, PA this Saturday 8/1 (8pm), "The Me That Remains" (her first new album in 13 years), and Amy's perspective on the road she has traveled. We weave in a handful of songs to help chronicle that journey, from "Old Man's Rubble" (Amy's first-ever single) and "Sing Your Praise To The Lord" (her first #1 Christian single) to "Love Will Find A Way" (Amy's first mainstream single) and "Baby, Baby" (her first #1 mainstream single), plus the title track from Amy's new album.

Part of the road Amy shared is also related to the album cover of "The Me That Remains" and includes a challenging battle the past six years regarding a church her great-grandfather purchased in downtown Nashville in 1925. The church focused on doing the work of Matthew 25 but is currently boarded up and in danger of being put on the open market. Amy and her family's hope is that a court ruling (scheduled for tomorrow--Friday July 31) will make it possible for the property to be transferred to another non-profit instead, which would allow the church to once again be used for charitable work. Your prayers for this would be much appreciated!

You can find out more about Amy's concerts, music and more at www.amygrant.com :)

Garry "G" Cobb (former NFL linebacker & longtime Philadelphia sports media host) hangs out today with insight on the 2026 Philadelphia Eagles on the eve of training camp. Cobb adds his thoughts on LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers and is sure to include an update on his 4-year old grandson Garry III and 4-month old granddaughter Grace :).

Sports clips (all courtesy of WFIL Sports):
Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies third baseman)
Bryson Stott (Philadelphia Phillies second baseman)
Will Warren (New York Yankees pitcher)

Paris Ford (playwright), Jasmine Bailey (cast member) & Martin Harris (assistant pastor)--all with Bethel Deliverance International Church in Wyncote, PA--join the show for a conversation on the Regeneration Youth Conference 2026 taking place this coming weekend (Friday 7/24 through Sunday 7/26). The conference features an inspiring play that creatively focuses on teen evangelism, peer discussions, workshops, and a concert with gospel artist Todd Dulaney and Bethel's own Donielle Houston. Find out more at www.betheldeliverance.org :)

(you can also catch Bethel Deliverance's Bishop Eric A. Lambert Jr weekdays at 330pm (and 430am) and Sundays at 130pm with the "Climbing Higher" radio broadcast on WFIL))

Sports clip: Dave Roberts (Los Angeles Dodgers manager) (WFIL Sports)

Timothy White, legendary celebrity photographer, joins the show regarding his memoir Life Through My Lens, chronicling his work with Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams and dozens more...but also (even first and foremost) chronicling what was happening on the other side of the lens--i.e., his own journey, including a number of very difficult circumstances. One theme White often touches on is the speed at which life can go and its brevity--something he appears to still be grappling with.

On that topic, Tim (DeMoss :)) adds thoughts from Psalm 90:10a: "The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength" and Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Sports audio:
J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia Phillies catcher) (MLB.com)
Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)
Trevor Zegras (Philadelphia Flyers center/forward) (Flyers' YouTube page)

John Bailey of World Challenge joins the show today in conjunction with their "complete bed sets for orphans" summer partnership with WFIL.

Each bed set includes a frame, mattress, pillow and sheets and will allow the orphans who receive them to get a good night's rest, be safer, and have a spot to call their own. The average cost is $100 per bed set, but a generous World Challenge donor offered to match whatever WFIL listeners contribute, up to 500 beds' worth!

Our station family goal is 360 bed sets, with that 500 number as a bonus goal if we can get there. To help, we ask for your prayers first...and if you'd like to cover a bed set for $50 (which will be matched), simply call 1 888 960-7477 or click here to give online.

Thank you so much from World Challenge and AM 560 WFIL!

Vince Russo (professional wrestler and writer) flies off the ropes into the Tim DeMoss Show ring with a copy of his latest book Total Nonstop Agony: The Rise and Fall of TNA. Russo (a 1x WCW World Heavyweight champion) weaves through wrestling and his personal life including his mother's passing from dementia, his fear of death, his 43+-year marriage to Amy, and his rough edges (including the use of off-color language) even as he walks out his Christian faith.

Joe Amodei (speaking of "rough edges") also checks in regarding his new documentary "Cold War In Philly" which tells the story of the January 11, 1976 matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers (aka the "Broad Street Bullies") and the Central Red Army team. The film is told from the players' perspective (Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Dave Schultz, Bill Barber, Don Saleski, Orest Kindrachuck and many more) and other Flyers personnel and media members, giving insight not only into the game but its bigger implications on the local and world stage.

Sports clips:
Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)
Danny Briere (Philadelphia Flyers GM) (Flyers YouTube page)

Billy West (accomplished voice-over actor, musician & former radio personality) checks in regarding his memoir Voice-A-Versa: Finding My Voice(s) Behind the Mic. West shares about a very difficult upbringing (especially regarding his father) and painful experiences in his life (including abuse), some of which he has utilized his voicework to combat. 

West's voicework has ranged from Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd in Space Jam and Doug Funnie in Doug to characters in advertisements including Buzz the Bee (Honey Nut Cheerios) and the Red M&M. West drops a little Larry Fine (of the 3 Stooges) impersonation in the conversation too :). He has been a musician and from 1989-1995 was a regular on the Howard Stern Show.

Sports clips:
Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies DH/OF) (MLB.com)
Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals outfielder) (WFIL Sports)
Derek & Katrina Walker (parents of Jordan Walker) (WFIL Sports)

Gary Wilkerson (President, World Challenge) joins the show today! Gary is a pastor, author and speaker, as well as the son of David Wilkerson (founder of Teen Challenge, Times Square Church and World Challenge), whose story is told in The Cross and the Switchblade.

Gary shares about what he learned watching his father David in ministry, about his own family (including challenges with one son dealing with addiction), and regarding his work with World Challenge, with a focus on the "complete bed sets for orphans" summer partnership with WFIL.

Each bed set includes a frame, mattress, pillow and sheets and will allow the orphans who receive them to get a good night's rest, be safer, and have a spot to call their own home base. The average cost is $100 per bed set, but a generous World Challenge donor offered to match whatever WFIL listeners contribute, up to 500 beds' worth!

Our station family goal is 360 bed sets, with that 500 number as a bonus goal if we can get there. To help, we ask for your prayers first...and if you'd like to cover a bed set for $50 (which will be matched), simply call 1 888 960-7477 or click here to give online.

Thank you so much from World Challenge and AM 560 WFIL!

Brian Grant (Senior Pastor of Grace Christian Assembly and heard on the "Living God's Way" broadcast Sundays at 530pm & 1130pm on WFIL) joins the show today!

Pastor Grant relays info on GCA's Mount Pleasant Avenue Summerfest, their upcoming worship & fun community outreach event (Fri 7/10 & Sat 7/11). Pastor Grant also shares his testimony, stories about his path to preaching and the radio, and regarding ministering with his wife of 50+ years including youth outreach, adding a little flavor with insight into Jamaican cuisine too :). You can find out more at www.gcafamilychurch.org.

Newt Gingrich (former US Speaker of the House, NY Times bestselling author, Professor & Historian) also checks in regarding his "Newt's World" Podcast which just celebrated its 1000th episode and most currently is featuring an "America 250" series through July 4. More information can be found at www.gingrich360.com. 

Sports clips:
Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies shortstop) (WFIL Sports)
Danny Briere (Philadelphia Flyers General Manager) (Flyers YouTube)
Mauricio Pochettino (US Men's National Soccer Team head coach) (FIFA YouTube)
Malik Tillman (US Men's National Soccer Team member) (FIFA YouTube)

MC Jin (rapper, actor & comedian), whose various achievements have earned him recognition as an Asian American pioneer in mainstream entertainment, hangs out to talk about his new podcast "Laugh, But Not Least with MC Jin."

Rich Sparling with Torch Sports Ministry calls in too with regard to Torch's work (which is now winding down after 18 years) and what it's like to trust the Lord in a time of completion and transition. Coach Sparling also gives insight into the sport of soccer including the spiritual dynamic with the US Men's National Team competing in the World Cup.

Sports: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies 1st Baseman) (MLB.com)

Blaise Santangelo (West Chester Predators soccer head coach) and Jonathan Hunter (assistant coach with the Arthurian League from England) check in today in advance of the inaugural Transatlantic Cup taking place at Drexel University tomorrow night (730pm). The match between West Chester and the Arthurian League is part of celebrating World Cup soccer and America 250 :).  More info is available at www.westchesterpredators.com :)

Tim also shares thoughts on tobyMac's song "Heaven On My Mind" (and the corresponding video) as well as on a few foundational pieces behind what the Tim DeMoss Show is about and why it exists.

Sports clips:
Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies Manager) (MLB.com)
Mauricio Pochettino (US Men's Soccer Head Coach) (FIFA YouTube)

Pastor Allen Jackson joins the show today regarding his new book Lead With Faith--Using Your Influence For God's Purposes. You're invited to win a copy as part of "Allen Jackson Ministries with Allen Jackson" being WFIL's Ministry of the Month for June :) with an 8-item grand prize available too! You can catch the program weekdays at 6am, 2pm, and several times over the weekend.

David Porter (2005 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee), also checks in regarding his new book The Soul Man: Life of Songwriter David Porter. Best-known for co-writing iconic hits like "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming," Porter's songs have appeared on national charts over 200 times and amassed lifetime unit sales exceeding 450 million, with hundreds of samples utilized in songs by Mariah Carey, Will Smith, and many more.

Sports clips:
Jesus Luzardo (Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher) (MLB.com)
Mike Gansey (Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations) (76ers YouTube page)
Joseph Woll (Philadelphia Flyers goaltender) (Flyers Zoom call)
Simon Benoit (Philadelphia Flyers defenseman) (Flyers Zoom call)

Garry "G" Cobb (sports media host & former NFL linebacker) calls in with thoughts on the recent A.J. Brown trade, select 2026 Eagles draft picks, former teammate (and roommate) Reggie White, with bonus chat on G's new granddaughter and Garry III (her 4-year old big brother :)).

Jesse Weglein (founder of Illuminai Studios) joins the show regarding his new short film "Roar" and his thoughts and approach concerning the use of A.I. in the creation of the work his studio produces. Weglein spent over 15 years with Pixar as a Lead & Senior Technical Director of Lighting & Creative Services Marketing and was connected with multiple films including Up, Lightyear, Toy Story 3 and 4, Cars 2 and 3, and The Incredibles 2.

Sports clip: Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)

Jim Spaulding (Cardiac Care & Safety Inc owner/operator), a 28-year veteran of such matters, steps in-studio during "National CPR & AED Awareness Week" with oodles of insight, information and stories to enlighten and encourage the WFIL audience on how a person can be prepared to help save lives. You can find out more at www.cardiaccareinc.com.

We continue sketching out a WFIL Station Family map as well, inviting listeners from as many cities & towns in the WFIL audience to text in and let us know where they're listening (partly for fun and partly as an encouragement that each of us is not alone but part of a bigger family (the "capital C" Church) :).

Dave Peterson (Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown owner/operator) checks in with summer vehicle prep insight, the latest on chips and EVs, and more including news on a big event coming up Sunday June 7 :). Dave can be reached at www.brynerchevy.com.

Speaking of Bryner Chevy, we hand out free $5.60 gift cards (courtesy of Bryner) as we continue to sketch a WFIL Station Family Map.

Sports clips: 
Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles QB) (philadelphiaeagles.com)
Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles head coach) (philadelphiaeagles.com)

Music: John Mark / APOLOGETIX

Michael McBride with the History Channel joins the show regarding his new series "Mistakes That Made America" (available at www.history.com). Each 6-10 minute episode blends humor and historical insight to illuminate how progress often comes from failure. McBride is also the author of How to Sound Smart at Parties: A Book of Fun Facts and Curious Conversations.

We also have fun working on sketching a WFIL Station Family Map, looking for one listener to text in as a "representative" of as many cities and towns in the WFIL broadcast area (both Tri-State (via traditional radio) and everywhere else (via online)).

Sports clips:
J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia Phillies catcher) (MLB.com)
Vic Fangio (Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator) (philadelphiaeagles.com)

For the Memorial Day Weekend, we feature a number of conversations from the TDS Archive, beginning with a chat over coffee Tim had with his 98-year old neighbor & WW II veteran Nick Pileggi a few years ago.

Montel Williams (former TV talk show host and Marine & Navy veteran) shares about his book The Sailing of the Intrepid: The Incredible Wartime Voyage of the Navy's Iconic Aircraft Carrier. Williams currently hosts "Military Makeover with Montel" on Lifetime.

Karin Tanabe & Victoria Kelly (journalists & authors) team up to share about their documentary "Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II." Tanabe is a first-generation Japanese-American whose uncle was the first president of Hiroshima University, while Kelly's grandfather is a WWII atomic veteran--one of the first Americans to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bomb.

We close out the show with Meathead, one of several dozen living Barbecue Hall of Famers and publisher of the most popular grilling & BBQ website in the world (www.AmazingRibs.com) regarding his book The Meathead Method: A BBQ Hall of Famer's Secrets and Science on BBQ, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking with 114 Recipes.