🏆 25 under 25: Philly Sports Edition | Sports Daily Newsletter

Some Philly athletes are household names, and there are some who should be. It’s the latter we hoped to explore when we created The Inquirer’s inaugural list of the 25 top athletes in Philly under 25.

Listen, it’s like Pokémon: You can’t catch them all, but we think you’ll find this list pretty robust across not just sports but levels of sport. From top pro athletes like Cooper DeJean to rising up-and-comers like women’s boxing sensation Natalie Dove, this is a good look at the young athletes to keep a close eye on as their careers are just beginning.

Not to be outdone, we have a list of:

• Who just missed the cut, and
• A look at Philly natives who are standouts away from home.

Also, did you see that LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown were in the lab this week? We saw it.

You’re waking up to what’s expected to be a nice day today with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Thinking of someone we missed in our 25 under 25? Tell us at sports.daily@inquirer.com.

Birds eye view

The Eagles held the 14th open practice of their 2026 training camp on Thursday, the second of two joint practices with the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. Eagles reporter Jeff McLane was there to give his latest observations along with others from the start of camp.

Ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Pats (7 p.m., NFL Network), from Makai Lemon to Riq Woolen, McLane breaks down what he witnessed.

Stott taking to third

No matter where he is on the infield, Bryson Stott is only thinking about one thing.

It could be second base, where he started the season, or third, where he’s been playing since the trade deadline. But even back in college and the minor leagues, when Stott was primarily a shortstop, he was only focused on catching and throwing.

“Still an infielder, still on the dirt,” Stott said. “So, just catching and throwing it.”

Maybe that’s what made his transition to the other side of the diamond so seamless after the arrival of Luis Arraez.

Next: The Phillies open a home series against St. Louis at 6:40 tonight (NBCSP). Jesús Luzardo (11-5, 3.23 ERA) will start for the Phillies. The Cardinals have not announced their starter yet.

Let the kids play

After Wednesday night’s 2-2 Union draw with Inter Miami, much of the conversation has centered on the melee sparked by Miami’s Ian Fray and his stoppage-time confrontation with Quinn Sullivan. And rightfully so.

But what that fracas overshadowed was just how much the Union’s young guns are stepping up to the challenge — and it’s not just Cavan Sullivan. Now, in a push for the MLS playoffs, it’s very possible that members of the Union’s supporting cast could become the main attraction.

On this date

Aug. 21, 2008: Delran native Carli Lloyd scored the game-winner in extra time to lead the United States women’s soccer team to gold medal glory at the Summer Games in Beijing, China.

Our best sports 📸 of the week

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos include a showdown for the ages at Subaru Park, baseball from the site of an Iowa cornfield, some choice shots from the Eagles’ first preseason game and more. Enjoy.

He said it …

“It gave me longevity. That was good. That wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I’d have been done. It gave me an opportunity to continue my career. It’s just unfortunate that there weren’t that many people ahead of me.” — Former pitcher Steve Ontiveros, the first Phillies player to return from Tommy John surgery, as told to columnist Mike Sielski.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Lochlahn March, Kerith Gabriel, Mike Sielski, Isabella DiAmore, Jeff McLane, Conor Smith, The Inquirer Sports Staff, and The Inquirer’s photography staff.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s our week. We’ll be back on Monday to get your week off right. Enjoy your weekend, watching the Phils, Union, and the Birds duke it out. — Kerith