Features / Nathan Ackerman

Phillies Nation • 4th September 2023

In return to site of mammoth NLCS homer, Kyle Schwarber weighs in on bizarre season

SAN DIEGO — The Phillies’ NLCS against the San Diego Padres won’t be remembered for the portion at Petco Park. No World Series berth was clinched there. The series didn’t even swing there; the teams split the first two games before heading back to Philadelphia, where the real chaos — bedlam, even — took place.

Phillies Nation • 19th June 2023

As relocation materializes, Oakland fans grapple with a ballpark’s mortality and a team’s betrayal

OAKLAND — Few baseball fans will ever have to face the types of conflictions currently facing Oakland Athletics ones.

Phillies Nation • 17th June 2023

Rob Thomson praises Mark Kotsay amidst A’s relocation efforts: ‘I’ve heard nothing but good things’

OAKLAND — Things are not good in Oakland right now.

Phillies Nation • 17th May 2023

Taijuan Walker has a new gameplan. So far, it’s working

SAN FRANCISCO — When the Phillies signed Taijuan Walker in December, they had a vision in mind, a strategy to get the most out of the four-year, $72 million deal. It was relatively simple: Throw the splitter. Then throw it some more.

Phillies Nation • 15th May 2023

Connor Brogdon excited for ‘second top moment in my baseball career’

SAN FRANCISCO — Connor Brogdon’s favorite thing he’s done in his baseball career is somewhat easy to guess: pitching in the World Series last fall. His second favorite will take place on Monday night. Brogdon will be the Phillies’ opener in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants. It won’t be the first start of his career, but it’ll be the most special: He’ll make it at Oracle Park, where Brogdon regularly attended games while growing up in Clovis, Calif. “I think it’s probably the

Phillies Nation • 4th May 2023

Kody Clemens is embracing his newfound opportunity in a ‘wild’ 2023

Kody Clemens has repeatedly found himself adjacent to chaos the past few months.

Phillies Nation • 1st May 2023

‘I’m not waiting that long’: Bryce Harper will return on Tuesday, something only he ever imagined

LOS ANGELES — More than four hours before stepping into the batters box for Monday’s first pitch, Bryson Stott stood at the top step of the Dodger Stadium visitors dugout, leaned on a bat and looked out onto the field. He was watching the only action on said field at that particular moment: Bryce Harper, taking grounders at first base.

Phillies Nation • 8th February 2023

Garrett Stubbs bat-spiked and DJ’d his way to fan favorite status in 2022. He’s ready for ‘new memories’ in 2023

You’ve seen the image plenty by now: Game 3. The three-run homer, at least 10 rows deep. Citizens Bank Park in a frenzy. The bat spike.

Phillies Nation • 25th June 2022

For Mark Appel, ‘All of this is gravy’

SAN DIEGO — Mark Appel wasn’t sure who was getting chewed out.

3rd May 2022

Never Leave the Game Early — and other life lessons from the world's most patient man

My capstone story for my USC journalism degree.

Annenberg Media • 28th February 2022

DJ Mal-Ski knows how to get in your head

The hype man of USC basketball notices everything, and he will prove it.

Phillies Nation • 12th February 2022

New Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs may prove to be an ideal fit in Philadelphia – Phillies Nation

Analyzing things strictly through a developmental lens, right now is a particularly good time to be Garrett Stubbs. A 2015 eighth-round draft pick out of the University of Southern California, Stubbs, 28, was traded from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder and 2021 10th-round pick Logan Cerny earlier this offseason — and it seems like he’s walking into an optimal situation. Stubbs’ new manager, Joe Girardi, caught in the big leagues for 15 years. Stubbs’ new organiza

24th January 2022

Brad Lidge recalls trying to out-eat Ryan Howard, getting walloped after 2008 World Series

Before Tampa Bay Rays pinch-hitter Eric Hinske came to the plate in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, Philadelphia Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee wanted a mound visit. The Phillies had a scouting report to review.

Annenberg Media • 1st January 2022

Tim Tessalone and Art Bartner are nothing alike. They also have plenty in common

Despite strikingly different personalities, the commonalities between the two USC luminaries run deep.

Annenberg Media • 18th October 2021

Saturdays are for the bands, and the DJs: How USC Athletics and the Spirit of Troy have changed the game day experience — but not without controversy

Recent modifications to game day have been geared toward fan engagement. The implementation has been far from universally embraced.

Annenberg Media • 10th October 2021

‘Like deja vu’: What’s the source of USC’s home woes?

Plenty was made about USC’s relatively easy schedule heading into the 2021 season.

Annenberg Media • 3rd October 2021

The kicker masquerading as a linebacker: Inside Parker Lewis’ eventful — and successful — start to the 2021 season

Parker Lewis took his spot a few steps behind Colorado’s 40-yard line, preparing to attempt his third field goal of the game Saturday in Boulder. Let’s not overdramatize the stakes: It was a relatively low-pressure kick. USC already led by two scores, and the Buffaloes had been able to muster almost nothing on offense to that point. A second-half comeback felt exceedingly unlikely, regardless of the kick’s veracity. Lo and behold, USC ended up winning by 23 points.

Annenberg Media • 19th September 2021

Unconventional-eyeblack-wearing, sideline-kiss-receiving Jaxson Dart has thrown himself into USC’s starting quarterback conversation

Jaxson Dart threw both his hands in the air as soon as he let go of the ball. He began walking toward the sideline, a casual stroll, pumping his fist triumphantly. Then, yelling, he gave a more ferocious fist-pump, retreating to the middle of the field to dole out aggressive high-fives to the rest of the Trojan offense.

Annenberg Media • 5th September 2021

‘It’s a dream come true’: Bullock shines in freshman debut for his dream school

Calen Bullock was doing something on Wednesday that a lot of his fellow freshmen at USC could relate to. He was in class.

Annenberg Media • 9th July 2021

John Thomas’ USC legacy goes well beyond ‘J.T. the baseball player’

Thomas spent his college career fighting for things bigger than sports. His passion for fashion reflects that.