Veteran Phillies reporter Jim Salisbury leaving NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jim Salisbury, the longtime NBC Sports Philadelphia reporter whose time with the network dates back to its Comcast SportsNet days, announced Thursday that he’s leaving the station after more than a decade.

“On a personal and professional level, I just feel like it’s time for a change,” Salisbury told The Inquirer, noting it was his decision to leave the network. “I’m eager to see what’s next and looking forward to attending multiple parades down Broad Street as a fan.”

Salisbury joined then-Comcast SportsNet in 2009, where he’s spent the past 13 seasons covering the Phillies. Prior to that, he covered the team for The Inquirer for 13 years. His first Inquirer byline appeared on Jan. 11, 1997, on a story about the Phillies acquiring long-forgotten pitcher Scott Ruffcorn, who lasted just one season with the team.

“I always wanted to cover baseball in a big city and I’m eternally grateful that it happened in Philadelphia, where I worked alongside some of the greatest sports writers in the land and hopefully served well the best fans in the land,” Salisbury said.

Unfortunately for Salisbury, the Phillies weren’t all that great during large chunks of the 26 seasons he reported on the team. But he was still able to cover six playoff runs and three World Series, including the team’s victory in 2008.

“My daughter Caroline said to me, ‘You know, Dad, being a Philly sports fan is a lot of fun.’ I’m ready for that,” Salisbury said.

Not surprisingly, social media was quickly flooded with well wishes directed at Salisbury from across the Philly media world.

“Soooo loved your work and your passion my friend. You will be truly missed!” wrote longtime CBS3 anchor Ukee Washington on Twitter.

“You’re the best, Jim,” wrote longtime NBC Sports Philadelphia producer Dan Roche. “Thanks for all your kindness and guidance over the years. God bless.”

Current Inquirer Phillies beat writer Scott Lauber called Salisbury, “Quite simply, the best.”

“Jim belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of Phillies writers,” wrote former Inquirer columnist and current Star-Ledger reporter Bob Brookover, who worked with Salisbury on the Phillies beat for three years.

“Baseball will miss Jim,” wrote his former Comcast SportsNet colleague Leslie Gudel. “Jim has broken more stories over the years by having built strong relationships based on trust and integrity. Grateful to call him a dear friend and I couldn’t be happier for him, although selfishly I’ll miss his work.”