⚾ A good first impression | Sports Daily Newsletter

It is a long season, of course, but the Phillies left the crowd at Citizens Bank Park in good spirits Thursday after a 5-3 victory against the Texas Rangers.

Among the takeaways from the season opener:

Bolstered by a new contract his team didn’t have to give him, Sánchez became the first Phillies pitcher since Curt Schilling in 1997 to have double-digit strikeouts on opening day.

Phillies fans enjoyed the opener, cheering for a Schwarbomb and enjoying Schwarbomb Sundaes.

And here’s an opening-day story you weren’t expecting: Bohm has sued his parents, alleging that the pair defrauded him of millions of dollars.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Chris Falcone says that 25 years later, people still recognize him as the guy who took on Tie Domi. On March 29, 2001, the Flyers fan lunged toward the penalty box glass at the First Union Center and landed inside, where he clashed with the Maple Leafs enforcer.

Falcone, now 61, came away with a cut on his head and celebrity status among the fans. Domi was fined $1,000. The two wound up meeting a few years later, and Alex Coffey reveals how that meeting went.

Joel Embiid played for the Sixers for the first time since Feb. 26 on Wednesday night, and he looked like the Embiid of old: 35 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in a 157-137 rout of the Chicago Bulls. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the oblique injury that sidelined Embiid has not subsided. His right side is still hurting him and it is fair to wonder how often he can contribute in the season’s stretch run.

“There’s really nothing you can do about it,” says Embiid, who will need the offseason to fully recover. “Just got to let it ride and hope that it doesn’t get worse.”

The Flyers and Blackhawks are both rebuilding, but they have gone about it in different ways.

Chicago has done everything possible to tank for top picks. In contrast, the Flyers have tried to rebuild since 2023 by acquiring assets while at the same time remaining competitive. Ahead of their matchup Thursday night, Gus Elvin took a look back at both teams’ rebuilds to see who is in a better spot as we wind down the season.

Speaking of assets, the Flyers added a new center to the fold on Thursday, and let’s just say he’s a big one, literally.

The Flyers scored early and often in their 5-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Given the injuries that Cam Jurgens has endured, it’s a wonder that he can perform at a Pro Bowl level for the Eagles.

Last year, the center underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk. This offseason, Jurgens flew to Colombia to go through a stem cell treatment to help with his recovery. He told the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast this week that a disk in his back “broke off” before the Eagles’ 2024 playoff run and “wrapped around” his sciatic nerve.

“It was hard to walk,” Jurgens said, but he received an epidural and played in the Super Bowl victory. Read more about why Jurgens says he’s “starting to feel really good.”

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 Phillies opening day, the returns of Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Jared McCain, March Madness in South Philly and more.

The Eagles still have to face what will be their biggest challenge on offense this season.

They have to negotiate the difference between the player Jalen Hurts believes himself to be and the player he has been.

It will be the factor that will determine whether 2026 will be the last glorious ride for the players who have been their offensive core for years — Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown (assuming he’s here), DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Lane Johnson — or a full-fledged transition to a new era. It is the most fascinating aspect of what promises to be a fascinating season. More from Mike Sielski.

We asked: What are your thoughts on Harry The K’s rebrand? Among your responses:

I think a statue and plaque are fine to honor Harry Kalas. I’d actually like to see something honoring By Saam! — Dave S.

I do not know that a bar best represented Harry Kalas’ contributions to Phillies’ lore. He has the radio/TV booth in his name. “Richie and Harry” will be remembered as one of the greatest pairs of contributors to Phillies lore. There are sufficient tributes to both of them. ... I will always remember Ashburn’s acerbic comments and Harry the K urging him on to say something that was both edgy and unforgettable. — Milton T.

Harry K. is in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He doesn’t need a concession stand named in his memory. Unless you are a very young fan who never heard him broadcast, his memory is there forever. ... Harry’s legend lives in perpetuity. — Everett S.

I won’t go in it till they change the name back. Watch out Ashburn Alley. Will soon be renamed for the highest bidder. — Bill M.

A horrendous decision — the greed factor at work. Harry Kalas was the voice of the Phillies. His 2008 call of the World Series is the soundtrack of generations. — Bob C.

Harry the K’s is (was) one of the unique and cool aspects that made everyone immediately fall in love with the ballpark when it opened. Everyone loved Harry and the location and clever name of the area just drew people to gather there. Every game I attend I get there early and go to Harry the K’s first before going to my seat. Now it’ll be just another bar area with a corporate sponsor. What a way to ruin one of the most awesome parts of the ballpark. Sorry Mr. Clueless Middleton, but a plaque in the broadcast booth just doesn’t cut it. Unfortunately you chose the almighty dollar over the hearts of millions of Phillies fans. — Bob A.

While I’m not someone who spent a lot of time at Harry the K’s, it was a small tribute to a franchise legend that gave the ballpark a more unique feel. Between this and both the out-of-town scoreboard and brick backstop being turned into digitized screens, CBP is slowly being drained of its personality all so ownership can squeeze out a few more advertising dollars. — Tommy J.

We compiled today’s newsletter with contributions from Scott Lauber, Lochlahn March, Ariel Simpson, Mike Sielski, Gustav Elvin, Jackie Spiegel, Alex Coffey, Jeff Neiburg, Gina Mizell, Isabella DiAmore, Nick Vadala, Katie Lewis, Ryan Mack, Owen Hewitt, and Inquirer staff photographers.

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. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you in Monday’s newsletter. — Jim