DEAR ABBY: I married when I was 20 and my husband was 32. I grew up with a conservative view of marriage, so in a sense, I believed marrying early would grant me the most freedom as a woman. We have been married for five years and have a child. Over the years, many people have offered unsolicited advice about how I “missed out on my 20s,” or how our age gap is “disturbing.” I have done my best to brush off these comments, but as I’ve grown and my views about life have evolved, these negative sentiments are becoming constant background voices in my head. Our marriage has been generally good except for the expected stressors that come with being parents and other unforeseen struggles.
There is also a big disconnect in our intimate life, and I wonder if it is due to our age gap. I don’t know if we are in love or if my view on feeling in love has been romanticized by TV show depictions. My husband is kind, and he has given me the space to become the person I am today.
My question is: How do I deal with these nagging thoughts that I have missed out on life as a single woman? Am I being ungrateful for the kind and loyal husband I have, or is it OK to explore the possibility of returning to a single life and eventually, maybe, finding love again?
— DREAMING OF POSSIBILITIES
DEAR DREAMING: Have you expressed these thoughts to your husband? If he’s as kind as you say, he should be willing to show you the romance you feel you’ve missed out on. I don’t recommend looking for adventure outside the marriage until the two of you have made a sincere effort to satisfy these urges together. If you’re not sure where to start, a licensed couples counselor may be of help.
** ** **
DEAR ABBY: I work as a sports reporter, and I have been in an on-and-off relationship with my co-worker. We are both out gay men, but I am struggling to figure out how to take our relationship to the next level. We both enjoy going on cute dates at local sporting events and always get excited when the team puts us on the KissCam. What can I do to convince him that I am boyfriend material and even future husband material?
— LOOKING AHEAD IN INDIANA
DEAR LOOKING: Because you and your co-worker have been dating consistently and kissing on camera, many people in your community may already assume you are a couple. It seems the time has come for a conversation with him about your relationship and whether he thinks there might be a future for the two of you. Even if his answer is no, it is important for you to know if the feelings are mutual.
Tell him teams do better than individual players, and you hope that by speaking up you won’t strike out.
The first event at Citizens Bank Park for All-Star Weekend was held on Friday night as almost 17,000 people filled into the ballpark for the fourth annual HBCU Swingman Classic.
Created by MLB Hall of Fame player Ken Griffey Jr., the game featured former Phillies World Series champion Jimmy Rollins as the manager of the National League team. Rickie Weeks, who spent 14 seasons in MLB and had a legendary college career at Southern University, a Baton Rouge, La. based historically Black university, was the manager of the American League.
The American League rode a three-run first inning to open the game to secure a 6-1 win.
And Philadelphia local Santino Harwood helped them get there. Harwood, was one of 50 players across 19 historically Black colleges and universities selected to participate in the game. He entered in the top of the fourth inning for the American League, playing shortstop through the last out.
Harwood recently finished his sophomore year at Delaware State with a .296 batting average, third-best on the team. The Roman Catholic graduate had two at-bats, hitting a single through the five-six gap in his first plate appearance, and forcing a walk in his second.
Jacoby Radcliffe, a senior from Southern who scored the first run of the game, was named the game’s MVP.
“I feel like I took it all in because I don’t know when my last game is going to be, and to be playing in such a prestigious ballpark like this, it was just phenomenal,” Radcliffe said.
Santino Harwood of Delaware State University finished with a single and walk in two plate appearances during the HBCU Swingman Classic.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Created with the intention of giving players from HBCUs more exposure and opportunities, the Swingman Classic highlights the achievements of young Black players in baseball, while also setting an example. With the current number of Black players in the MLB decreasing, Weeks said getting more Black children involved in playing baseball again starts at home with parents.
“I think in the next five to 10 years, it should be spiking a little more because I think the parents in the household are watching more baseball because of the Black players,” Weeks said.
And while the main event was happening on the diamond, there was no shortage of entertainment surrounding the game while also honoring traditions and the people that impact HBCUs.
Roger Cador, Southern’s former legendary baseball coach and a 2022 inductee into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, was honored with a video ahead of the third inning. Before the fifth inning, former Phillies pitcher Al Holland was honored with his own video tribute. Both Cador and Holland recently passed away.
The nine historically Black sororities and fraternities, known as the Divine Nine, performed on top of the dugouts in between frames. Flyers arena host DJ Hollywood was also a part of the festivities playing music between innings.
Philadelphia’s official drum line, the West Powelton Steppers, which also performs at Phillies games as the Phillies Bass Line, had several performances before and during the game as well.
Nearly 17,000 people attended the fourth annual HBCU Swingman Classic at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while two-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Eric Roberson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Grammy award-winning vocalist Durand Bernarr sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Comedian Roy Wood Jr. was the ballpark emcee for the event.
Despite the bigger stage and fanfare that surrounded the Swingman Classic, Rollins said the game had the same feelings of joy and camaraderie that accompanied playing baseball as a child.
“I came out the dugout and I’m seeing the ball go around a diamond, guys running bases, ball coming off the bat. I’m like, ah, this [is] real baseball,” Rollins said. “And not that it’s never not, [but] it’s just to see the movements, the actions, the style on the field. It reminded me when I was a kid running out there and trying to put on a show.”
DETROIT — Even though Aaron Nola was having one of his strongest starts of the season so far, interim manager Don Mattingly tried to play it safe.
Rather than push Nola a third time through the Tigers order on Friday night, Mattingly lifted Nola after five innings, with his pitch count only at 84. His pitches looked sharp, and he held Detroit to just three hits in what was at the time a 2-2 ballgame.
“That’s one I’ll probably lose a little sleep over,” Mattingly said.
Because the move immediately backfired. Tim Mayza became the latest left-handed reliever to struggle for the Phillies, unraveling for five runs in the sixth inning as the Tigers pulled ahead for the 10-2 win.
Mattingly said he went to Mayza since left-hander Riley Greene was due up to start the sixth, and liked that matchup better. He also wanted to force the Tigers to pinch-hit lefty Kerry Carpenter, due up third. But Greene worked a 10-pitch walk, confirmed by an automated ball-strike challenge on a 3-2 pitch that missed the zone by less than 0.1 of an inch.
Mayza also walked Matt Vierling, who pinch-hit for Carpenter.
“I didn’t really count on the walks,” Mattingly said.
Nola said postgame he felt like he still had gas in the tank. Did he think he was getting the sixth inning?
“Kind of, yeah,” he said. “Donnie just said there was a pocket of lefties coming.”
For five innings, Nola’s changeup and curveball were both effective. Together, they accounted for seven of his eight total strikeouts, the other coming on his fastball. Nola has a 5.75 ERA this season, but put together a solid outing to build on after the All-Star break.
Delco native Kevin McGonigle (right) celebrates his two-run home run off of Aaron Nola.Paul Sancya
The Tigers had six lefties in their starting lineup against him, with Delco’s Kevin McGonigle leading off. He hit a 414-foot, two-run homer off Nola’s sinker in the third inning, the eighth of the Bonner-Prendie grad’s rookie season so far. McGonigle is set to make his first career appearance at Citizens Bank Park next week as one of the Tigers’ All-Star representatives.
“Felt like we were mixing pretty well tonight,” Nola said. “Got behind on several guys, especially McGonigle right there. Good hitting, right there. Hit that ball pretty hard, out of one of the deepest parts of the field. So hat off to him on that one. Obviously, big walk right there that hurt me right before him, but overall I felt pretty good.”
After Mayza walked two in the sixth inning, a single from Eduardo Valencia — who debuted for the Tigers Thursday — broke the stalemate. Mayza then committed a throwing error while fielding a sacrifice bunt that allowed another run, and things continued to unravel after James Outman sent a bases-clearing triple to deep center field. Outman then scored when Mayza was called for a balk.
That leaves Mayza and Alvarado as the only lefties in the pen. Mayza had overall been the most consistent. He came into Friday’s game with a 2.81 ERA, which surged to 3.59 by the time his night was over.
“The lefties is something that concerns you,” Mattingly said. “You feel like as you get moving, that you need lefties to be able to get the good hitting lefties out. … Mayza’s really been pretty good. We do think Alvy’s going to get going. We’re going to get him going, but obviously it hasn’t been the strength for us so far out there.”
And the trouble didn’t end there for the Phillies bullpen. Max Lazar, who pitched the seventh, gave up a homer on the first pitch he threw to Colt Keith. That was followed by a two-run shot from Spencer Torkelson, which gave the Tigers an eight-run cushion.
It was a big enough lead to allow the Phillies to put a position player on the mound in the eighth, and Garrett Stubbs made his second pitching appearance of the road trip.
Derek Hill celebrates his home run with Edmundo Sosa (33) against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning.Paul Sancya
Outside of Derek Hill, the Phillies offense didn’t fare much better. Hill accounted for their only two hits against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, as well as their only runs of the game.
The outfielder found out he was playing about 40 minutes before first pitch, when Justin Crawford was scratched with left knee soreness. He hit a solo shot in the third inning and an RBI single in the fourth that scored Bryce Harper, who drew a walk. Hill hit another single in the seventh for a three-hit game.
“I’m always mentally prepared to go out there and execute anything from the coaching staff, and it doesn’t really matter to me, so I just go out there and be prepared as I can,” Hill said.
Mattingly said that Crawford slipped in the outfield while doing pregame drills. He felt better as the game went on, but the Phillies will be cautious with him and check on him on Saturday.
Brandon Marsh singled in the eighth to bring the Phillies’ total to four hits on the night.
A 67-year-old retired South Jersey police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting an underage girl, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said Friday.
Louis J. Baselice, who worked for the Haddonfield Police Department, was taken into custody Tuesday at the Maple Shade Police Department and was being held in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing, Bradshaw said.
Baselice was a school resource officer from 2005 to 2009, the Haddonfield Police Department said in a statement on social media.
He has not served with the Haddonfield police for more than a decade, the department said.
“During his time here, the department received no complaints or reports of any wrongdoing,” the department said.
The investigation began after acquaintances of the girl reported the alleged sexual abuse, Bradshaw said.
According to investigators, Baselice allegedly purchased an electric scooter and cell phone for the girl, among other items, and provided her with a credit-card number so she could order food, Bradshaw said.
Additional details of the case are being withheld to shield the identity of the girl, Bradshaw said.
Baselice was charged with second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Anyone with information that could help investigators can call the special victims unit of the prosecutor’s office at 609-265-5035 or send an email to tips@co.burlington.nj.us.
Two elite rowers and a couple of bystanders jumped into action — and into the water — Friday afternoon to rescue a man who drove his car into the Schuylkill.
Libby Peters, a 43-year-old former college rowing coach from Fairmount, was being interviewed for a documentary near the St. Joseph’s University boathouse when she heard a crash.
“I saw water up in the air, and I looked and saw a vehicle, pretty far off — it was strange how far into the river it had gotten,” Peters said. She ran to the dock and dived into the water.
As she swam, she saw the car beginning to sink, Peters said. She reached the car and shouted at the driver to wake him up. The doors were locked, she said, so she began pulling him through the window.
“The car was sinking, and he was going in and out of consciousness, so I just kept trying to keep him awake,” she said. “And I was pretty worried that once the car went down I wouldn’t be able to hold on to him anymore.”
As the car went underwater, Peters realized she was not alone: A man and a woman who had seen the crash had retrieved life jackets from the boathouse and swam out to help.
“I just thank God that just as the car went under, they got there, the two other swimmers, and they had life jackets,” Peters said. “The three of us together were able to keep him afloat.”
Temple University’s head coach for women’s rowing, Rebecca Grzybowski, was also at the river for the documentary. When she saw her former teammate from the U.S. Women’s National Rowing Team dive into the river, she fired up one of the small motorboats used by rowing coaches and headed onto the water.
”It was almost like we both knew what we needed to do,” Grzybowski said.
Grzybowski estimated that Peters and the good Samaritans swam about 200 meters (about 650 feet) in water that was about 10 feet deep.
When they got back to shore, emergency medical personnel took over.
“Our job was getting him out of there, responding quickly,” she said. “I’m really glad that we were in the right place in the right time.”
A police captain at the scene said he was unsure of the man’s status. A tow truck lifted the burgundy Chevrolet sedan from the river Friday afternoon. Divers with the police department were seen coming to shore.
Peters said she had been told the man was “OK,” and said she was grateful for everyone who helped.
“I feel a ton of gratitude,” Peters said. “I think that there were a lot of factors and had one thing not been in place, it would have been a really different outcome.”
DETROIT — As soon as he heard what Zack Wheeler said, an idea started to form in Garrett Stubbs’ mind.
Despite a 2.28 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season, the Phillies right-hander had been left off the National League All-Star roster. He had not made the initial team through the player vote, and has not been added as a replacement, either. Wheeler is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, the Phillies’ final game before the All-Star break, which almost certainly led to the snub — even though Wheeler said he would still be willing to pitch an inning.
The quote was exactly the kind of thing that Stubbs likes to put on a T-shirt. The Phillies backup catcher, known as a key contributor to the clubhouse culture, has created several shirts in the past displaying the Phillies’ inside jokes, which he then distributes to his teammates.
Last season, Stubbs handed out light blue shirts with the image of former Phillie Harrison Bader and the words “What a Gift” emblazoned on them. It became a catchphrase of sorts for the outfielder after the Phillies acquired Bader at the trade deadline, and many of his teammates wore the shirts in his honor during pregame activities.
But the shirts that the majority of the Phillies players, coaches, and staff wore ahead of Friday’s series opener in Detroit were more than just a fun joke. It was a message.
After his dominant start against Cincinnati on Tuesday, Zack Wheeler said of his All-Star snub: “I felt like that’s kind of a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded.”Carolyn Kaster
The words “That’s a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded” were printed on red shirts, along with the outline of a rooster with Wheeler’s No. 45 inscribed on it. At home games, Wheeler walks out to the song “Rooster,” by Alice in Chains.
“It means what he was talking about in his interview,” Stubbs said about the shirts. “Just that he deserves being an All-Star. And it’s [B.S.] that he’s not.”
While Stubbs jumped into action creating the shirts with the company BreakingT, the team almost didn’t receive them. Bad weather delayed the shipment to Comerica Park in Detroit. But when BreakingT reached out to UPS for help, they happened to get in contact with a Phillies fan in Michigan who was sympathetic to their cause.
“She took it into her own hands to make sure that they got here in time,” Stubbs said.
He added that he’s working on trying to get the UPS worker to a game at Comerica Park in thanks for her help.
“Just testament to our fan base,” Stubbs said. “One, how big it is, and then two, the extra mile that they’re willing to go. … They’re just they’re in love with what we do here, and it’s cool to see them get involved, and especially to help us out. So hopefully we can get in touch with her and get her tickets to the game, and she can enjoy it.”
Wheeler didn’t know what Stubbs was planning, but he laughed when the catcher handed him a shirt on Friday. Stubbs didn’t expect him to wear it — “He usually sticks to his own stuff,” he said — but the majority of the rest of the team did. Even interim manager Don Mattingly had the shirt on during his pregame media availability.
“He should be an All-Star,” Stubbs said. “His numbers are incredible, he’s an incredible guy, he’s a good representation of the league, and he should be in there.”
Extra bases
About 30 minutes prior to first pitch on Friday, Justin Crawford was scratched with left knee soreness. Derek Hill drew into the lineup in his place. … Cristopher Sánchez (10-4, 2.62 ERA) is scheduled to make his final start before the All-Star break on Saturday against Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (4-5, 2.64).
All-Star Weekend is underway in Philly and the roster for the MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 is set.
The additions of Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, former Eagles receiver Terrell Owens, rapper Eladio Carrión, and actor and singer Antonio Cipriano complete the lineup for the celebrity game on All-Star Sunday.
The inaugural event (3 p.m. on Peacock and NBCSN) at Citizens Bank Park features a four-team format with teams led by 2008 World Series champions Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Shane Victorino, as well as Andruw Jones, an inductee in this year’s Baseball Hall of Fame class.
Each team features one of the four captains as well as a professional softball player from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. This is the first time women are actively involved in the All-Star Game outside of the old celebrity softball game.
Mailata joins Team Howard with Alyssa Brito Jordan. Owens joins Rollins on his team with Tiara Jennings.
Carrión, a Grammy Award-winning artist joins Team Victorino along with Rachel Garcia. A massive baseball fan, he frequently names MLB players in his music.
Cipriano, a Broadway actor and singer who also stars in Prime Video’s Off Campus series, joins Jones on the Atlanta Braves team alongside softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. While he plays a hockey player in Off Campus, Cipriano also participates in a Broadway Softball League.
Like their captains, Owens and Mailata know what it’s like to play in front of Philly sports fans. Owens said baseball was his first love so he is excited about playing with Rollins and said fans can “expect [them] to put on a show.”
And while it might be a little different from a Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, Mailata said he knows how passionate Philly fans are no matter the sport.
“Being part of MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 is an incredible opportunity. Baseball has such a passionate following in Philadelphia, and I’m excited to represent the city, team up with Ryan Howard and compete alongside some amazing athletes. Now it’s time to see if I can bring some of that power from the football field to the MLBx stage,” Mailata said.
Carrión and Cipriano, however, are used to performing for a much different audience, but like Owens, Carriónis ready to “put on a show.”
“I’m excited to team up with Shane Victorino and to be part of the first-ever MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3. It is going to be a lot of fun. Philadelphia is a city that loves sports, so we’re coming ready to compete,” Carrión said.
How the game works
The announcement of the final rosters also confirmed the tournament bracket for Sunday’s competition.
The first game, semifinal one, will see Team Howard go against Team Rollins. Semifinal two will have Team Victorino take on Team Atlanta Braves. It will then be followed by a championship game between the two winning teams.
Each game is expected to last about 30 minutes. The three-inning game will see each player have one two-minute at-bat in the game from a custom-built stage, while the other team positions its three players in the outfield.
Points will be earned for home runs and defensive catches, with bonus points for hitting center-field targets or by activating a five-swing “hot streak,” which doubles the offensive and defensive points that can be earned.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says it is examining a video of Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent in 2024 to a VIP bettor who was struggling with a gambling addiction.
“We are aware of the situation and are reviewing it,” Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the board, said Friday. “I can’t comment beyond that at this juncture.”
It’s unclear if the gaming control board, which regulates casinos, online gambling and sports wagering, has contacted FanDuel or Harper. David Purdum of ESPN first reported the gaming board’s interest in the situation.
The Inquirer obtained the 21-second video, which shows Harper greeting the bettor, Terry Thompson, and Thompson’s son, and ends with Harper thanking Thompson for his support.
Harper is not wearing FanDuel merchandise in the video, but it is marked with the company’s logo. Harper mentions that he was reaching out at the request of Thompson’s VIP manager — “your host Bryttanni at FanDuel” — who wanted to ensure that Thompson had an “extra special Thanksgiving.”
The Inquirer could find no evidence that Harper has a business relationship with FanDuel, nor that he was aware Thompson had a gambling addiction. Harper declined through the Phillies on Thursday to comment.
FanDuel obtained the video from Cameo, a source familiar with the matter said Friday.
The company allows users to pay athletes, celebrities and musicians to record personal messages for them.
On its website Cameo notes that celebrities don’t necessarily have to follow a purchaser’s instructions.
“You acknowledge and agree that the Talent User has sole discretion to determine how to fulfill your request and the content of the CAMEO Video created, and may not follow your request exactly,” reads part of its terms of services.
Cameo did not respond Friday to multiple requests from The Inquirer for comment.
A video of Harper addressing an individual can be purchased from Cameo for $899. He also offers recordings for businesses for $9,999.
The Inquirer earlier in the week shared the FanDuel video with Harper’s longtime agent, Scott Boras, the Phillies, and Major League Baseball. Each declined to comment.
Beginning in 2020, Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel and lost $1.5 million, according to a lawsuit that the Public Health Advocacy Institute filed in March in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia on behalf of Thompson and against FanDuel and DraftKings, to which Thompson also lost money.
Harper is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Thompson’s attorneys allege that he became addicted to placing microbets — in-game wagers on something as minor as the speed of a pitch during a baseball game — until he gambled away his final $10,000 on a DraftKings parlay bet in February.
Broke and afraid of disclosing the scope of his losses to his family, Thompson contacted his therapist and indicated that he planned to take his life.
He typically announces new endorsement deals, which in the past have included companies such as Under Armour, Gatorade, and Dairy Queen.
The Inquirer will continue to report on issues related to the growth of gambling addiction — among teens and adults — across Pennsylvania. If you, or someone you know, would like to speak with a reporter, please contact David Gambacorta or William Bender at dgambacorta@inquirer.com or wbender@inquirer.com
When Antonio “Nino” Constantino leaped into the lake during his scout troop’s water safety test for summer camp two years ago, he didn’t really think about the fact that he couldn’t swim. Lifeguards helped pull him out.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, dude, what’re you doing?’” said Bruce Schultz, leader of Scout Troop 7292 in Clayton, Gloucester County. “He said, ‘I didn’t want to let the troop down, Mr. Bruce.’”
Schultz has recounted that story a lot lately, laughing his way through it. When Troop 7292 goes to camp again this summer, the trip will be dedicated to Nino. Schultz is working to prepare vigils.
Nino, an only child and incoming eighth grader at Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, lived with his mother, Linda Brittingham, in Westville.
Family and friends described the teen as kind, adventurous, an old soul, a farm kid, and a lover of the outdoors. He liked to play video games and hang out with his cat, Kody.
As a scout, Nino was always the first to try new things. He had recently been baptized at the Bridge Bible Church in Mantua. Brittingham said there are still pigs in a blanket in the freezer that they were going to make together.
“There’s so many people that loved him,” said Brittingham, 47. “Everybody came into his life.”
Nino Constantino, 13, of Westville, poses with his mother, Linda Brittingham.Jay Urbaniak
A sense of adventure
Nino spent one of his last days at Cowtown Rodeo in Salem County. He and his family wore cowboy hats and boots and rooted for the animals.
At school, Brittingham said, he liked math, but probably recess more. He spent his free time outside, riding dirt bikes, quads, mudding, and visiting the Shore. His favorite foods were ham, cheese, and mayo hoagies; mac and cheese; tater tots; and spicy ramen with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Jay Urbaniak, 45, of Lindenwold, poses with Nino Constantino, 13, of Westville.Jay Urbaniak
“He had a way of making every moment more fun. … More than anything, he had an infectious enthusiasm for life,” Urbaniak said via text. “Every time I’d call or stop by, his face would light up with excitement.”
Many things excited him, including the bearded dragons belonging to his uncle, Tony Perez, as well as cats, dogs, and pretty much any type of motor vehicle, from WaveRunners to trucks.
“I make silly dad jokes, and the smile he would give — no one else had that smile,” said Perez, 41. “That would make me laugh even at my own stupid joke. Every time I got to see that smile, that was a memory to cherish.”
Nino Constantino, 13, of Westville, poses with family friend Jay Urbaniak, 45, of Lindenwold. Nino died on July 6, 2026.Jay Urbaniak
Schultz said it had been a while since Nino had gone to a scout meeting, since he took a break. He was set to return this August, though, which the troop was excited about, he said. Schultz expected Nino to become an Eagle Scout someday, a rare rank.
“He was just that beacon,” Schultz said. “I’m going to miss him a lot.”
‘The kindest kid you’ve ever met in your life’
Drew Smith, 33, of Newfield, is known by one wing at Gateway Regional High School as “Nino’s uncle.”
Really, Smith is the school’s custodian and a fellow congregant at Nino’s church. But Smith runs in the family friend group, so every day through his seventh-grade year, Nino approached Smith in the lunchroom to ask how he was doing and gave him a hug.
On days when he was not doing so hot, Smith said, Nino would usually say the same thing.
“‘I’m praying that you have a better day. I love you, Uncle Drew,’” Smith said. “‘I love you.’”
When Smith collected trash around the building on his golf cart, Nino liked to ask how fast it could go.
“I worked at this school over 10 years now,” Smith said. “There’s not many that set an example like he did, the manners and morals and values. There aren’t many kids that are in seventh grade and act like that.”
Nino Constantino, 13, of Westville, died on July 6, 2026. Jay Urbaniak
Louis Raba, the middle-level assistant principal at Gateway, said Nino was successful both in the classroom and in making new friends, though he had just transitioned to the school district in the fall. He said the district’s middle school community was “deeply saddened” by Nino’s death.
“Nino was kind hearted with a tremendous sense of humor. Personally, I will always remember his smile and his growth during his seventh-grade year,” Raba said by email.
Nino was known by family for his manners. He always said “please” and “thank you.” Even in violent video games, he tried his best to be civil.
When Perez let his nephew try out Grand Theft Auto V, an action game known for crashing cars and hit-and-runs, Nino avoided collisions and obeyed traffic lights.
“I never met anyone who didn’t do crime or something. He thought you’d get points and stuff for being good, polite,” Perez said.
Back at camp, Schultz said, Nino always offered help to his fellow scouts and did a little bit of everything, from compass work to community service. He rarely complained.
“This is the kind of kid we’re looking for. Good human beings,” Schultz said. “He was that kid that would do anything for anybody. He was like the kindest kid you’ve ever met in your life.”
In 16 starts between two levels of the minors, Wood has a 3.44 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 55 innings, including a 3.45 mark in eight double-A starts. The Phillies skipped Wood two levels in May when they promoted him from low-A Clearwater.
The Phillies drafted Wood in the first round (26th overall) last July and invited him to a game after he signed for $3 million.
“I got to go around the clubhouse, all the facilities, meet everyone,” Wood said in April as a guest on The Inquirer’s Phillies Extra podcast. “Got to talk to Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, the whole pitching staff, pretty much. Got to talk to Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, all those guys. You get there and you’re like, ‘Wow, this is pretty cool.’
“And I’ll always remember that for the rest of my life. I went home and I told pretty much everyone that I’m friends with, [or] I’m even close to, people that just asked me, ‘Did you get to talk to Bryce Harper?’ And I’m like, ‘Actually, yeah, I did. It was freaking sweet.’ But no, they were great.”
Wood, the No. 69 prospect in the sport according to Baseball America’s midseason top-100 rankings, will represent the Phillies with fellow right-hander Wen-Hui Pan.
Victorino will manage the National League team in the Futures Game; Larry Bowa will manage the American Leaguers. The seven-inning game will begin at noon Sunday.
