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Category: Sports

  • Eagles newcomers ’26: Cole Payton could bring interesting new dimension to quarterback room

    Eagles newcomers ’26: Cole Payton could bring interesting new dimension to quarterback room

    With Eagles training camp drawing nearer, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.

    Player: Cole Payton

    Position: Quarterback

    Age: 23

    Previous experience: Before the Eagles selected him in the fifth round this year, Payton spent the last five seasons at North Dakota State. He started 13 games in 2025, his lone season as the starting quarterback, completing 161 passes for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns. His passer rating (193.8) and yards per pass attempt (12.1) set single-season school records.

    But the 6-foot-3, 232-pound Payton wasn’t just a passer. He was also lauded for his rushing ability, racking up 1,918 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 287 carries over his five seasons in Fargo. Payton set single-season school records in total offensive yards per game (268.9) and yards per play (9.71) in his redshirt senior season.

    Payton hails from Omaha, Neb., where he played at Westside High School. He earned 2020-21 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year honors while throwing for 1,704 yards and 22 touchdowns on 113 passes that season. He also rushed for 1,029 yards and 17 touchdowns on 124 carries.

    Path to a roster spot: Payton is a fifth-round pick at the most important position on the field, so it seems unlikely that the Eagles would try to sneak him through waivers to the practice squad at the end of training camp. Perhaps the Eagles could move Tanner McKee before the cutdown deadline, or they could keep all four quarterbacks including Andy Dalton on the roster, a departure from their trend of carrying three.

    Regardless, barring a disastrous training camp and preseason, Payton is likely to make the initial 53-man roster. He won’t be the primary backup to Jalen Hurts this season, but he could contend for the role in the future. In the short term, could Payton find a role as a Taysom Hill-esque gadget player? Nick Sirianni said after the draft that “we’ll see how that goes” once he gets acclimated to the playbook.

    Fun fact: Payton made his first start at North Dakota State in the home opener against Tennessee State in 2024 … as a running back. He had three carries for 6 yards and two receptions for 5 yards in that game, but he also completed three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown at quarterback.

    Additionally, Payton is left-handed, which is a rarity in the NFL. He joins Atlanta’s Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. and Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel among the handful of active left-handed quarterbacks in the league.

    Quotable: “Really, really athletic. Really good with the ball in his hands in the quarterback run game. Made great decisions with the football. Accurate passer. As you know, 72% [completion] last year as a starter. And you can’t be that unless you’re making good, accurate throws and going to the right place with the ball. But there’s some wild plays on his tape that are really impressive. I think I charted four times he jumped over somebody or [I] wrote down a bunch of times that he’s the best athlete on the field.” — Sirianni on Payton after the draft

    Tucker Large (1) was a standout for one of the nation’s elite FCS programs at South Dakota State before following his coach to Washington State. Richard W. Rodriguez

    Player: Tucker Large

    Position: Safety

    Age: 23

    Previous experience: Large, 5-11, 185 pounds, was a preferred walk-on at FCS school South Dakota State in 2021, with most of his college offers coming from Division II teams, according to the Spokesman-Review. He began playing football relatively late at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., earning meaningful snaps by his junior season.

    He had a breakout year at South Dakota State in 2023, his redshirt sophomore season, on defense and as a return specialist. Large led the FCS national championship team with nine pass breakups and ranked second with four interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown). He also set a single-season school record with 149 punt-return yards on four attempts against Drake.

    Large transferred to Washington State for his redshirt senior season in 2025 after WSU hired coach Jimmy Rogers away from SDSU. He started all 13 games at safety, registering 71 tackles (three for losses) and eight pass breakups. Large sustained an apparent right knee injury in the Idaho Potato Bowl victory over Utah State in late December.

    Large signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent after his five-year college career, but he was waived with an injury designation and placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list in May.

    Path to a roster spot: Safety depth on the practice squad. His experience as a return specialist could help him carve out a role, too. But Large faces an uphill battle to stick with the Eagles in any capacity given his injury and his lack of practice time with the team. If he is cleared to return and participate in training camp, he could have a chance to vie for a spot on the practice squad with players such as Cole Wisniewski, Andre’ Sam, and Kapena Gushiken.

    Fun fact: Large was a standout basketball player in high school. He set a single-season school record at Roosevelt when he notched 61 steals in 2021.

    Quotable: “I’ve always loved his confidence. ‘Coach, just give me the ball,’ or ‘Put me in a position. I’ll make a play for you. They’re not gonna throw it over my head. I hope they throw it my way.’ That kind of thing. When you have that confidence, then I think you’re not afraid to make some plays and gamble a little bit. He’s never had any fear about doing that.” — Roosevelt football coach Kim Nelson on Large, via the Spokesman-Review

  • Trevor Zegras agrees to a four-year contract extension to become the highest-paid Flyer

    Trevor Zegras agrees to a four-year contract extension to become the highest-paid Flyer

    It’s always been about timing for Trevor Zegras.

    The right time to become a Flyer. The right time to play center. And now it was the right time to lock him in.

    Late on Wednesday, the Flyers inked Zegras to a four-year, $36.5 million extension with an annual average value of $9.125 million. He will be an unrestricted free agent when the contract expires on July 1, 2030, and according to a league source, Years 3 and 4 come with a limited no-trade clause.

    “We’re thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years,” general manager Danny Brière said in the press release.

    “The growth he showed this past season, proving that he is the skilled player he entered the league as, reinforced our belief that he will be an impact player for the Flyers for the years to come. He’s the type of player who can help take our team to the next level, and we’re excited to continue building alongside him.”

    Some wanted to change Trevor Zegras. The Flyers let ‘Z be Z.’ Now, he’s got his ‘swagger back.’

    Zegras became a restricted free agent on July 1 and filed for salary arbitration on July 5, two days after the Flyers tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Leo Carlsson that the Anaheim Ducks matched. The deal avoids an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for next Wednesday and gives him the highest AAV on the Flyers.

    “Personally, I would love that,” Zegras said of staying in Philly at his end-of-season media availability on May 12. “I would love to be here for a long time. … I love the fans. I love the group that we have, and that would be something I’m excited about.”

    Acquired last June, on the heels of two tough, injury-plagued seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Zegras refound his love for the game in Philly. He posted career highs in goals (26), power-play goals (10), points (67), power-play points (23), and shooting percentage (15.6%) in 81 regular-season games, missing only the inconsequential last game of the season to rest for the playoffs.

    Best friends Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have relished getting to play together again with the Flyers.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    After tallying six goals and 18 points during the Flyers’ post-Olympic push — trailing just Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates — he led the team in postseason scoring with six points (two goals, four assists) in 10 games. Zegras was one of several Flyers making their postseason debuts.

    But this season wasn’t just about his point total, even if it was higher than when he was runner-up for the Calder Trophy in his rookie year, or his sophomore season of 2022-23. It was about a former first-round pick, a big personality, and a once-rising star in the NHL, rediscovering his love of the game.

    “It was big,” he said when asked if it was reaffirming to him. “For me, having that excitement about the game was great. To find that passion for winning and success as a team was big. And I think I lost a little bit of that drive and passion to win and be a really good team, and we definitely had, in my opinion, a great, successful season.”

    For Trevor Zegras, the trade to the Flyers is not just a refresh, it is also a homecoming of sorts

    Part of that rejuvenation for the 25-year-old New York native came from his connection with his teammates, like his old friends, Jamie Drysdale, whom he played with in Anaheim, Cam York, his former teammate on the U.S. National Development Team and at World Juniors, and veteran Christian Dvorak, whom he met through Dvorak’s former Montreal Canadiens teammate Cole Caufield. And a lot of it came from his connection to coach Rick Tocchet, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Taco” in training camp.

    “Obviously, Tocc is a great guy, to begin with. … He’s a good guy to talk to,” Zegras said the day after he and Tocchet were spotted having a heated exchange in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes. “The one thing I have a ton of respect for is [that] he’ll get in your face and tell you stuff, but then he won’t ever like sit you down for shifts at a time.

    “He puts you right back on the ice. Whether or not it puts fire in you, or fuel, or is teaching you something, he always gives you that chance to go let you prove yourself the next shift, which I love.”

    Tocchet echoed the sentiment that day, after doing it all season long. He called him a “very coachable kid” after mentioning in training camp that he challenged him to approach the game not “for clicks on social media” but to win hockey games. “That’s what he wants,” Tocchet said, and it showed whether he played at center or wing.

    Trevor Zegras ranked second on the team last season, his first with the team, in points (67) and third in goals (26).Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    But that’s the million-dollar question heading into the 2026-27 season: Do the Flyers view Zegras as a center or a winger? The consensus around the league is that the AAV he received is typically doled out to a center. As noted, Tyson Foerster recently signed an eight-year contract extension with the Flyers for an AAV of $7.1 million.

    Zegras came to Philly excited for the opportunity to return to his natural center position after two years of being forced to the wing by former Ducks coach Greg Cronin. Management was hopeful he could be the answer for their No. 1 center spot, but for the majority of the season, he played on Dvorak’s wing.

    He officially shifted back to the middle after the trade deadline and put up 17 points in 20 games — 12 at even strength with a plus-six rating. The only issue is his face-offs, which sat at 34.1% overall in the regular season, 35.1% across the final 20 games, and 44% in the postseason.

    Flyers will start 2026-27 season at home against Penguins, play at Devils in opening week back-to-back

    “I liked playing in the middle down the stretch, just because there’s a little bit more space and you can kind of pick and choose where you want to go a little bit more,” he said.

    “I think playing center in the playoffs was a good experience for me, just in terms of how different it was, how hard battles are, and all that type of stuff. So that was good.”

    The Flyers still have three restricted free agents to sign in Drysdale, forward Nikita Grebenkin, and defenseman Hunter McDonald. Drysdale has a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday. Grebenkin was not eligible for salary arbitration, and McDonald did not file by the deadline.

  • Argentina books trip to second straight World Cup final behind another come-from-behind win

    Argentina books trip to second straight World Cup final behind another come-from-behind win

    ATLANTA — Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and reach the World Cup final.

    Trailing 1-0 heading into the final five minutes of regulation, Enzo Fernández and substitute Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina.

    Argentina will play Spain in the World Cup final in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday (3 p.m., Fox29), while England will take on France in the consolation game on Saturday (3 p.m., Fox29).

    Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the first half. Still, Lionel Messi and Co. rallied for the third straight game, winning down the wire now against Cape Verde in the Round of 16, Egypt in the quarterfinals, and now, England, which was just five minutes plus added time of qualifying for their first World Cup final since they won it all in 1966.

    Argentina pushed for an equalizer, and the pressure eventually led to Fernandez scoring in the 85th minute. Martinez headed in the winner two minutes into injury time.

    The game resumed one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer, and there was a raucous atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff as both sets of fans tried to drown out the other team’s national anthem.

  • All-Star Game trips are a tradition for two brothers after a near-death experience: ‘Just keep living, baby’

    All-Star Game trips are a tradition for two brothers after a near-death experience: ‘Just keep living, baby’

    Independence Mall was completely transformed for MLB’s 2026 All-Star red carpet. A crowd of fans filled the center, lining the zigzag path as they watched the league’s best players arrive in style ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. And as each player passed, two brothers could be heard through it all.

    Evan, 33, and Brent Folan, 35, made the trip from Puerto Rico, where they’ve been living the past two years, to attend this year’s All-Star Weekend. The trip marked the fourth All-Star Weekend the Folans attended as part of their annual brothers’ trip, a tradition that began after Evan’s near-death experience in 2019.

    With Independence Hall right behind them, the Texas natives were appropriately dressed for this year’s stop in Philadelphia. They called their outfits “the freedom look,” which consisted of the American flag overalls they’ve worn to almost every sporting event they’ve attended.

    The Folans even caught the attention of a certain green, furry creature with similar fashion sense.

    The Folan brothers said they wanted to “spread positivity” throughout the afternoon, and did so by cheering for anyone who walked the red carpet, whether it was the players, mascots, ball girls, or staffers.

    “This event is so much fun,” Brent said. “Baseball fans from all over the country, even the world, are here. So, just love each other. It’s amazing. It unites us all and everybody deserves to be celebrated.”

    Brandon Marsh’s dad died of cancer in 2021. He found a way to honor him in his first All-Star Game.

    The Folans’ goal is to “bring happiness” wherever they go. It’s a life lesson they learned in 2019 when Evan needed to be revived after a car crash in which he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, leaving him with short term memory loss.

    “We’re just best friends, we love each other and we want to spend as much time as we can together,” Evan said. “I have really bad short term memory. … I’m not going to remember this tomorrow. So I’m just living in the moment with my brother, just enjoying life because it was taken away from me momentarily.”

    Evan now has a book titled Forgetting to Remember, which shares the story of rebuilding his life following the accident. He also started the clothing brand Toro and Tides to support and raise awareness for those suffering brain injuries.

    After a tire flew through his window, Evan was in a coma for two days, suffered a broken neck, a fractured skull, and significant brain bleeding. He was told that his memory would continue to decline and he’ll more than likely develop dementia.

    But since the incident, Evan and Brent have traveled across the globe to different sporting events. And this year has been busier than ever — they’ve flown to Milan and Cortina for the Winter Olympics, attended the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, and hit four cities in their World Cup tour.

    This 17-year-old from Lower Merion was booed during the Home Run Derby. He called it ‘an honor.’

    “I mean, it’s a different life that he’s living now, but it’s something we grew up on,” Brent said. “We love each other, we’re best friends, and it’s going to keep us connected no matter what happens. So we’re going to do it every year that we can.”

    During the red carpet, the Folans caught the attention of 33 players, getting signatures from players like Juan Soto. They also got Yoshinobu Yamamoto, after chanting the Japanese phrase san kudasai, a plea for an autograph which they learned from a Japanese cameraman before the red carpet began.

    During last year’s Home Run Derby in Atlanta, Evan caught a home run from Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz in the semifinals, which happened to be a rare bonus ball hit. That luck continued this year when Brent caught a signed home run ball from Philly’s own Kyle Schwarber.

    “This is amazing,” Brent said. “All-Star Weekend, this is the closest you’ll get to the players, like the actual All-Stars. The All-Star Village is cool but these are the guys you’re going to be seeing playing in the Home Run Derby, playing in the All-Star Game. You’re literally a foot from them. So, getting to talk to them, seeing they’re human, getting a laugh out of them, it’s been amazing.”

    After a successful weekend — catching Schwarbombs, getting nearly three dozen red-carpet signatures, and most importantly, spending quality time with one another — the Folans have a piece of advice for everyone willing to listen.

    “Just keep living, baby. Live life,” Brent said. “You never know what’s going to happen so just do what makes you happy.

    Evan added: “Spread positivity and bring happiness.”

  • Villanova and Wisconsin men’s hoops will meet at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Dec. 12

    Villanova and Wisconsin men’s hoops will meet at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Dec. 12

    Villanova and Wisconsin are set to meet in nonconference men’s basketball play for the second straight season, Villanova announced Wednesday.

    After Villanova claimed a 76-66 overtime win over Wisconsin at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee last December, the schools will meet again for a matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Dec. 12 in an event Villanova is calling the Philly Hoops Showdown.

    Kevin Willard coached the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26 after a three-season drought. Villanova was eliminated from the dance in the first round by Utah State, but Willard has reinforced his lineup with key portal pickups, including Italian big man Luigi Suigo.

    Greg Gard has led Wisconsin to six of the last seven NCAA Tournaments. The Badgers were a No. 5 seed in last year’s bracket but were upset by No. 12 seed High Point in the first round.

    While Villanova has historically played home nonconference and Big East games in South Philly, the school’s announcement specifies Xfinity Mobile Arena will be considered a neutral site, and that all aspects of the game will be managed by Chicago-based marketing company Intersport.

    Tyler Perkins returns to a Wildcats team that is looking to defeat the Badgers of the Big Ten for a second straight year. Kayla Wolf

    Last season’s game in Milwaukee was also considered a neutral site event. That factor could influence how the NCAA Tournament selection committee views the game closer to March. A home win against a team ranked in the top 30 of the NET is considered a Quadrant 1 win, but at a neutral site, the threshold for a Quad 1 win is expanded to the the top 50 teams in the NET rankings.

    Villanova played three games at Xfinity Mobile Arena last season, two of which were considered home games. The other was the Big 5 Classic final, which the Wildcats won for the first time since the retooling of the Big 5 format in 2023.

    The matchup against Wisconsin in South Philly will be the fourth-ever meeting between the schools’ men’s programs. Before 2025, Villanova picked up a win against Wisconsin in 1995, and the Badgers upset the defending champion Wildcats in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

    Wisconsin is the latest confirmed addition to Villanova’s nonconference schedule, which will open with Notre Dame in Rome at the Eternal City Tip-Off on Nov. 1. The Wildcats’ nonconference schedule also includes a trip to face Kansas on Nov. 27 at Allen Fieldhouse as part of a home-and-home series.

  • Flyers will start 2026-27 season at home against Penguins, play at Devils in opening week back-to-back

    Flyers will start 2026-27 season at home against Penguins, play at Devils in opening week back-to-back

    Didn’t the Flyers’ season just end?

    It feels like it — the team played into May by making the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2020.

    Although they got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, the Flyers will get a chance to start their 2026-27 season by picking up where they left off in the win column, with a rematch on Sept. 30 against their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, at Xfinity Mobile Arena (7:30 p.m., TNT).

    This season, the NHL schedule is 84 games, with two extra Metropolitan Division games added. The full schedule will be announced at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

    The last time the Flyers and Penguins met, defenseman Cam York threw his stick into the crowd after firing home the 1-0 overtime winner in Game 6 of the first round, sending the Penguins golfing.

    Noel Acciari (55) can now call Matvei Michkov (39) and the rest of the Flyers teammates. Gene J. Puskar

    Heading into the lid lifter, both teams will look different, notably with Noel Acciari switching sides from the Penguins to the Flyers. The forward leads a retooled fourth line after inking a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.8 million. He is excited to be in orange and black now.

    “Just being a part of that Pennsylvania rivalry, I got to experience it on the other side, which was a lot of fun,” he said on July 7. “And just seeing how passionate the fans are, which is unbelievable, and to be able to experience it with their cheering for you this time, I’m so excited for [it]. And I’m glad to have them on my side now because they are very passionate, and they’re all up in your face.

    “It’s fun to play against, but at the same time, I’m happy I get to play on the same side.”

    What’s next for the Flyers after missing out on Leo Carlsson?

    This year will mark the eighth time the Flyers start the season at home against the Penguins (5-2-0); the overall record in home openers is 33-18-5-2. It is also the ninth time they are opening the season against Pittsburgh (4-3-1-0) with an overall record of 29-20-7-2 when kickstarting a season. The Flyers have faced the Penguins more than any other opponent in season and home openers.

    The following night, the Flyers will head up the turnpike to the Prudential Center for the New Jersey Devils’ home opener. The Flyers will also be in Ottawa for the Senators’ — and former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson’s — home opener on Oct. 8.

    This year’s NHL schedule also features the 2026 Heritage Classic on Oct. 25, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens; Carolina taking on the Seattle Kraken in Finland on Nov. 12-14; and Ottawa and the Chicago Blackhawks in Germany on Dec. 18-20.

    On New Year’s Eve, the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche will participate in the 2026 Winter Classic at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.

    Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah will host the Winter Classic. Jeffrey D. Allred

    And Feb. 5-6, the New York Islanders’ home of UBS Arena will host All-Star Weekend. On Feb. 5, 10 young stars, ages 25 or younger, will compete across eight events, and the following day will be the All-Star Game — with a twist. Five teams of 11 players representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a “World” team will compete in a three-on-three, round-robin exhibition tournament.

    Breakaways

    Lehigh Valley’s American Hockey League home opener is Oct. 3 against the Hartford Wolf Pack. … Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, who each filed for salary arbitration on July 5, have their hearings scheduled for next week, according to Puckpedia. Drysdale is scheduled for Monday and Zegras for Wednesday. Arbitration can be avoided with a contract between now and the morning of the hearing. … Former Flyers forward Rodrigo Ābols signed a three-year deal with SC Bern of the National League, the top men’s league in Switzerland. The Latvian made his NHL debut with the Flyers at the age of 29 on Jan. 21, 2025. Across 64 regular-season games with Philly, he had five goals, 15 points, and won 53.8% of his faceoffs while averaging a little over 10 minutes a game. He suffered a season-ending injury in January that forced him to also miss representing his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics. … Former Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov returned to the Kontinental Hockey League, signing a two-year deal with Spartak Moscow.

  • Baseball celebrated itself with All-Star Week. Next up: Avoiding self-destruction with a looming labor fight

    Baseball celebrated itself with All-Star Week. Next up: Avoiding self-destruction with a looming labor fight

    In 1976, when the All-Star Game came to Veterans Stadium, the Yankees’ Catfish Hunter and Thurman Munson did a midgame interview about a historic collective bargaining agreement that was ratified the night before.

    Now that was a celebration of baseball.

    Fifty years on, this wasn’t so bad either. MLB pulled out all the stops — and tugged on a few heartstrings, too — Tuesday night, from Miles Teller’s pregame ode about the sport’s impact on a 250-year-old country to the fifth-inning recreation of The Sandlot, including Ray Charles’ rendition of “America The Beautiful,” with All-Stars and children watching fireworks together on the field like it was some magical backyard.

    Go ahead and admit it: It got you.

    Mike Trout said he loves Philly during Monday’s All-Star festivities. But he seems no closer to playing here.

    “Oh, yeah, that was honestly one of my favorite parts of the game just because that was my favorite baseball movie growing up,” said Brandon Marsh, the Phillies’ first-time All-Star. “When I hear that song, it almost just brings tears to my eyes because it takes me back to being 5 years old.”

    That was the point. And on that count, bravo, baseball.

    All of which makes what will happen in less than five months so much more galling.

    Because the owners and players agree on one thing — and one thing only: Baseball is thriving. Commissioner Rob Manfred and interim players’ union chief Bruce Meyer have the attendance figures and television ratings to prove it.

    Baseball’s owners are “more united than any group in my entire time in baseball” in the pursuit of a salary cap, according to commissioner Rob Manfred.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Yet when the collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1 without a new deal — the sides can’t even agree on an economic framework within which to work — the owners almost surely will lock out the players, inciting a work stoppage that threatens to shutter the sport not only during a long, cold winter but also for part or even all of the 2027 season.

    Talk about hitting the self-destruct button. Or pulling the pin out of the grenade. Pick your metaphor. They all apply.

    And if you didn’t already think baseball was headed to such a dark place, well, you should’ve been in the hotel ballroom where Meyer and Manfred met separately with members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America hours before the American League scored three first-inning runs against the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez in a 4-0 victory over the National League.

    Kyle Schwarber falls in Home Run Derby heartbreaker, Cardinals’ Jordan Walker wins in bonus time

    Start here: Meyer rejected MLB’s proposal to institute a salary cap, forever a third-rail issue for the players, on the union’s contention that baseball isn’t suffering from competitive imbalance as much as a subset of owners that aren’t trying to actually win. The players, then, are proposing changes to how revenue is shared between the teams.

    “Teams in every market across the league can afford to compete; many of them are choosing not to,” Meyer said. “From our standpoint, that’s the biggest problem in the game right now.”

    But the owners are “more united than any group in my entire time in baseball” in the pursuit of a salary cap, according to Manfred, who said they were influenced by internal polling of fans. (Here’s a secret: It’s really more about the owners wanting to control costs and raise their franchise values.)

    And the players? Although it remains to be seen whether the union can hold — rank-and-file players with lower salaries might have different interests than superstars — the biggest names in the sport are steadfast in their refusal to accept a cap.

    It goes back generations, in fact, to Philly’s 1976 All-Star Game, where the players won the right to become free agents after accruing six years of major league service. They played without a CBA for the first half, the sides trusting they would work something out.

    “None of us talked about that stuff,” Larry Bowa said. “I hear it now [from players]. You hear a lot of talk about if there’s going to be a lockout. I do know that when we had these talks, [owners] always wanted a cap, and that was one thing that was embedded in our brains: ‘Don’t go for a cap. It’s not going to work.’”

    And now?

    “I think the opportunity for players to get paid is what this is all about,” Bryce Harper said. “That’s why we have no cap and what we’ve done for so long, starting with Curt Flood. He started everything. So, we owe it to the guys that have come before us to do the same thing and all the young guys that are going to go through it, as well.”

    Said Mike Trout: “I think [a cap] is bad for the game. The game’s in a great spot right now, you know? I just don’t support that.”

    ‘The game is where it needs to be’: Bryce Harper wants compromise (and no salary cap) to keep sport thriving

    With five months before the CBA expires, this is a time for rhetoric more than serious negotiation. But Meyer blasted MLB for its advertising campaign on MLB.TV — “Level the Playing Field” — to drum up public support.

    “The supposed stewards of the game have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince fans that they shouldn’t have hope, or that the product they’re paying to consume in record numbers is somehow broken,” Meyer said. “I think it’s perverse.”

    Manfred pointed out that a small-market team hasn’t won the World Series since the Royals in 2015. Meyer noted that the Brewers and Rays are leading their divisions at the All-Star break, with Milwaukee bound for its eighth playoff appearance in nine years, including four in a row.

    “It gives Bruce talking points,” Manfred said. “But from our perspective, the more important issue is, what’s the aggregate data over time? Our view of the world is that over a very long period of time, there’s a very strong relationship between [payroll] and who gets into playoffs.”

    The Phillies’ Bryce Harper is adamantly against a salary cap.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    It’s ugly. And it will only get uglier.

    Five years ago, baseball went through a 99-day lockout before reaching a deal in mid-March and shoehorning a 162-game season into a compressed schedule. Back then, though, the owners and players settled their differences within the existing non-cap system.

    Now, they can’t even agree on an economic structure. It’s as if the owners are speaking French and the players German.

    “A salary cap is the ultimate excuse for an owner to say, ‘Gee, I would like to make the team better, but you know, I can’t,’” Meyer said. “Salary caps are bad for fans.”

    Said Manfred: “I think the number from top to bottom in our sport, in terms of payroll, the gap is $441 million. It defies human experience to ask a fan to think that the bottom end of that gap has the same opportunity to win as the top end.”

    And ‘round and ‘round they went.

    What makes Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber such unique stars? We asked each about the other.

    Hours later, after that reenactment of The Sandlot, Marsh detailed the conversation with the boy who watched the fireworks with him in right field.

    “We were talking about how his grandma is a huge fan of the Phillies,” Marsh said, “and how she was a huge fan of me personally.”

    Then, Marsh asked the boy to take out his phone.

    “Yeah, we sent her a video,” he said, “and hopefully made her night.”

    Imagine shutting all of that down.

    Now that’s perverse.

  • Eagles newcomers ’26: Where does former Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa fit into the pass rushing picture?

    Eagles newcomers ’26: Where does former Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa fit into the pass rushing picture?

    With Eagles training camp drawing nearer, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.

    Player: A.J. Epenesa

    Position: Defensive end

    Age: 27

    Previous experience: Epenesa is a veteran defensive end who spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo selected him in the second round (54th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. A five-star prospect out of high school, Epenesa played college ball at Iowa. He was the highest-rated recruit to play under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

    The 27-year-old was mostly a rotational piece on Buffalo’s defensive line, but he made the most of his role. His best season came in 2022, when he logged a career-best 6½ sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 14 quarterback pressures and 16 tackles. He initially signed with the Browns this offseason, though Cleveland eventually called off the deal because of a failed physical. The Eagles signed him on June 10.

    Path to a roster spot: Boasting a decent NFL resumé as a situational pass rusher, Epenesa has a strong chance to make the 53-man roster if he stays healthy. He likely won’t start a game this season — which is a testament to Philadelphia’s loaded edge rusher corps, made up of Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Arnold Ebiketie — but don’t be surprised if he turns into a key cog on Vic Fangio’s defensive line.

    Fun fact: Epenesa’s father, who also played at Iowa, is named “Epenesa Epensa.” His nickname is “Eppy.”

    Quotable: “We had some battles,” five-time Pro Bowl tackle Tristan Wirfs, Epensa’s teammate at Iowa, said of the defensive end. “When I met with the Broncos, they said a scout was there [at Iowa’s practice] and I didn’t lose to A.J. So I said, ‘I’m glad you were there on that day.’”

    Guard Micah Morris is another in a long line of Georgia draft picks for the Eagles. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    Player: Micah Morris

    Position: Guard

    Age: 22

    Previous experience: The Eagles selected Morris in the sixth round (207th overall) of the 2026 NFL draft. He played collegiately at Georgia, where he initially struggled to climb the depth chart until morphing into the starting left guard. At Georgia, he was teammates with current Eagles defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.

    Path to a roster spot: The Eagles drafted Morris because they needed interior offensive line depth. Landon Dickerson is a guaranteed starter, but he’s battled multiple injuries in recent years. Fellow starting guard Tyler Steen has just one year of starting experience on his resumé. The depth pieces behind them are green. Morris will likely make the roster — and he might even see some action, if Philadelphia’s injury woes persist.

    Fun fact: Morris, who stands at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, earned a spot on The Athletic’s “Freaks” list last season for his weightlifting prowess. According to The Athletic, Morris has done two reps on the bench of 420 pounds and squatted 505 for a double.

    Quotable: “The first time I tried to sit down a Jordan Davis bull rush, that’s when I realized this was not high school ball,” Morris said before the Eagles’ two-day rookie camp. “My feet were planted, but I was sliding backward.”

  • Brandon Marsh’s dad died of cancer in 2021. He found a way to honor him in his first All-Star Game.

    Brandon Marsh’s dad died of cancer in 2021. He found a way to honor him in his first All-Star Game.

    Every time Sonja Marsh is at a major league baseball game to watch her son, or an international track meet to watch her daughter, she brings a small, gray urn with butterflies on the side.

    It contains the ashes of her late husband, Jake, who died of cancer in April of 2021. There are countless ways the family has kept his memory alive. Brandon Marsh and his sister, Erin, each have a tattoo on their arm that says “believe,” a favorite mantra of their father’s.

    They wear rubber bracelets bearing his name, and always seem to find signs that their father is with them. Butterflies are a big one. The Phillies outfielder said he’s seen “millions” of the winged creatures since his father passed.

    Brandon Marsh has ‘good style,’ is ‘one of the best teammates’ and has broken out as an All-Star starter

    Another example came in May of 2024, when a black T-shirt was unexpectedly delivered to Marsh’s locker in Miami. On the front was the logo of Jake’s favorite band: Guns N’ Roses.

    So, it was only fitting that in Marsh’s first-ever All-Star appearance on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, he and his family found a way to include their loved one. Not long after the All-Star roster was announced on July 4, Sonja began designing a logo for her son’s cleats.

    On the left side, was a family crest, split into four initials: “J.M., S.M., B.M., E.M.” On the right, a Bible verse, Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

    Brandon Marsh’s All-Star cleats honoring his late father.Marsh family

    She sent the design to Marsh’s agent, Eric McQueen, who put it on some bright red cleats. The outfielder received them on Tuesday morning, as a surprise before the All-Star Game.

    “I wanted to make sure Jake was on them,” Sonja said. “Because I just think his dad would be so proud to be here. And he is 90% of the reason [Brandon] is where he is.”

    Marsh’s ascension from platoon outfielder to everyday player has been well-documented. In April of 2025, he went hitless through 29 at-bats before landing on the injured list.

    This 17-year-old from Lower Merion was booed during the Home Run Derby. He called it ‘an honor’

    Now, 15 months later, the 28-year-old is among the best players in the league, leading his team in batting average (.301) and hits (102). Those struggles have made his All-Star berth all the sweeter. Sonja said she’s noticed a change in her son’s energy.

    “Whenever I call him now, it’s not, ‘Hey Mom, I’ve only got five minutes. Walking into the training room, what you need?’” she said. “It’s, ‘So, Mom, can you believe such and such? Hey, did you see so and so?’ Conversationally, it’s gotten better.”

    Brandon Marsh’s mother Sonja (left) and sister Erin at the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.Alex Coffey

    She said he was struggling with stress more than anything else; about performing, about his role. When Jake was alive, he was his children’s biggest cheerleader, knowing the right words to say in a moment of self-doubt.

    This is not Sonja’s strong suit — “I’m not as good at that,” she said — which made those brief phone calls especially challenging. But bit by bit, Marsh worked his way out of it, en route to his best season to date.

    ‘My favorite place to play’: Philly and Citizens Bank Park were All-Stars on a magical night. Just ask the actual All-Stars.

    He is so locked in that he wouldn’t even discuss the All-Star Game with his family — even after he’d made the team.

    “I called him, to say congratulations,” Sonja said, “and he’s like, ‘Mom, thank you for calling, can we talk about this on Sunday? Because I still have six more games to win.’”

    Added Erin: “Brandon would not talk about the All-Star Game. He was like, ‘I don’t want to jinx it.’”

    It’s hard to overstate how proud his family is. On Tuesday night, Sonja watched from Section 120 with a large button of her son’s face on her cap (a clean-shaven Marsh, age 9, glowering at the camera).

    Erin, a professional heptathlete, was also able to make it to Philadelphia, finding a pocket of time between competitions. They watched the game with family and friends, remarking on how far Brandon has come.

    During the All-Star Game, Brandon Marsh’s mom Sonja was wearing a pin showing a 9-year-old Marsh.Alex Coffey

    But Jake Marsh was there, too; in the urn by Sonja’s side, the bracelets on Brandon’s wrist, and of course, the bright red cleats on his feet.

    “I know he was watching tonight,” Brandon said, “and he had the best seat in the house.”

  • Ballin’ at the Bank | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Ballin’ at the Bank | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Kevin McGonigle was home, and he was worried.

    No, not worried about missing curfew — though the 21-year-old rookie was back sleeping in his childhood bed. The Delco native and Bonner-Prendergast alumnus was worried his own people would boo him during the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. He was in a Detroit Tigers uniform, after all.

    No matter. He was treated to a warm welcome and then helped the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League. And before the action, he got to meet one of his childhood heroes, Chase Utley.

    The stars from the “senior circuit” managed just three hits, none of which came off the bats of Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, or Brandon Marsh. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez allowed three runs in the first inning that proved to be all the AL needed.

    But it was still a night to remember for the Phillies contingent.

    — Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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

    ❓Now with the All-Star Game behind us, what would you like to see the Phillies do at the trade deadline? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Phantastic Phans

    The Bank was packed on Tuesday night for the All-Star Game. Could it be a preview of October?Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Like we said, the NL team didn’t exactly light up the night in South Philly. But inside the stadium, the vibes were electric for Phillies fans and out-of-towners alike — booing and all.

    And even if you couldn’t get into Citizens Bank Park for the marquee events of the past couple days, there was plenty to do in town. One of those free events was the red carpet at Independence Park. We can catch you up on the highlights, including some of the best outfits for the players and their families. The Schwarbers’ family ’fit was super cute!

    Baseball bigwigs also discussed some heavy topics, too, from Harper’s video that was used by FanDuel to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

    Next: The Phillies are back in action tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park against the New York Mets (7:10 p.m., ESPN). Christian Scott (2-1, 3.17 ERA) will face a Phillies starter to be determined.

    Gansey’s gains

    Mike Gansey has had a big first few weeks as the Sixers president of basketball operations.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    It’s been a whirlwind for Mike Gansey.

    First, a new job. Then, it was off to the Bahamas to see standout guard VJ Edgecombe in action. This past week, he’s been getting a look at first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. in summer league action.

    Oh, and in between, he pulled off a blockbuster trade with the rival Boston Celtics and brought in Jaylen Brown in exchange for Paul George and draft picks.

    In the meantime, his family still needs to find a house in the area.

    Gansey sat down with The Inquirer to go over the past few weeks and take us inside the Brown deal.

    Next: Summer league action continues today against the Orlando Magic (4 p.m., ESPNU) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

    Got that Dawg in him

    Micah Morris was drafted in the sixth round this spring. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    It’s almost time for another season, and there sure have been a lot of new names to get to know ahead of camp. Whether they’re entering their first NFL season or are in the twilight of their careers, we’ll break down all you need to know about each newcomer.

    Today’s duo will aim to man the trenches on either side of the ball, and one of them is yet another Georgia Bulldog drafted by Howie Roseman and Co.

    Next: The NFL season is fast approaching, and the Eagles will report to training camp on July 28.

    Tip of the iceberg

    Even in a small sample size of NHL games, Porter Martone turned heads.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer

    Development camp is in the rear-view mirror, and preseason is still a ways away. But that doesn’t mean the hockey world is asleep.

    The Athletic recently published its assessment of the NHL’s top 100 prospects, notably the Flyers’ Porter Martone at No. 3. And, while the Flyers didn’t have much representation on the list, Martone wasn’t alone, and a Penn State product topped the rankings.

    On this date

    While the scene at Citizens Bank Park was festive last night, the scene on this night 19 years ago surely wasn’t as jubilant as the Phillies became the first American professional sports team to lose 10,000 games on July 15, 2007.

    The St. Louis Cardinals won, 10-2, on that “steamy” night at Citizens Bank Park, and future Hall of Famer Scott Rolen scored the game’s first run. The Phils won the NL East that season — and won it all a year later — but July 15 will always bear a bit of a stain. If you want to take a walk down memory lane, here’s our story from that night.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    DASHE NAWU

    This former top prospect out of Ohio State is doing what he can to crack the Eagles roster at the cornerback position after an unsuccessful go at a few other spots. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct. Answer: Shaun Wade.

    🧠 Trivia time answer

    We asked you: With the MLB All-Star Game leading off tonight, we wanted to know how many Phillies players have hit a home run in a game?

    Answer: D, Five. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit the last one during the 2023 All-Star Game at Coors Field in Colorado, but his blast was the first one by a Phillies player in 31 years and was just the fifth all-time since the inception of the event.

    What you’re saying about All-Star games

    We asked: Which sport do you think delivers the best All-Star event?

    Baseball. All star games in the other sports are more like glorified practices. — Richard V.

    There is no doubt about it, baseball has the best all star event of any major sport. — Stuart P.

    Major League Baseball’s All-Star game is by far the best. The history alone is special and has been since the first one at Comisky Park in 1933. Babe Ruth played in 2, but the record for most appearances goes to Hank Aaron with 25 closely followed by Stan Musial and Willie Mays. The NBA AS game is fun to watch too, but no match for baseball’s best. — Everett S.

    The only All Star game worth watching is baseball. The two teams compete and actually care if they win the game. Basketball and hockey All Star games are a farce where no one bothers playing defense. Football is a complete abomination where they don’t even play the sport they are paid to play. Pro football players playing flag football? Not worth the time to watch. — Tom E.

    MLB by default. The NBA are not really games. No defense. More like pick-up games at the playground. The NHL are shoot out’s with no checking. The NFL stopped their real All Star games as they didn’t want any injuries and settled for “flag football.” Now baseball is the real thing. Last nights Home Run Derby will be hard to beat. All 8 players last night wanted to win the contest. The winner last night had ice in his veins. He would sure look good in a Phillies uniform! The players in the NBA, NFL & NHL couldn’t care less on who wins what. As a paying fan, I also couldn’t care less and will not attend or watch their stupid All Star events on TV. The baseball All Star events are IMO fun & interesting. — Ronald R.

    None are very good. Baseball used to have the best until interleague play, and now it’s kind of so what? The NFL is ridiculous, the NBA is ridiculous, and the NHL, I really don’t follow but may soon if the Flyers decide to become competitive — Bill M.

    All of the four major sports have evolved into multi-day events with different types of skills competition. I love the tradition of MLB baseball with the NL vs the AL, though it has been somewhat diminished with the advent of inter-league play. As a kid, I would keep score of the game and get frustrated with the multiple substitutions. The other sports are now mere showcases. — Bob C.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Gabriela Carroll, Ariel Simpson, Lochlahn March, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber, Gina Mizell, Ryan Novozinsky, Mia Messina, and Sam Carchidi.

    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.

    Thanks for reading along! Kerith will be back in your inboxes tomorrow morning. — Maria