Wow, I’ve really missed this.
I’m so excited to rejoin our Sports Daily Newsletter team and bring you the best sports stories The Inquirer has to offer, from our columnists’ takes to beautiful storytelling and everything in between.
I’m back, but some 76ers players may not be after this summer. While the (checks notes) Bob Myers-led front office will make the real-life decisions, we’re giving you the chance to play general manager and make your opinions known in our interactive Stay/Go exercise. You also can read our take and see what your fellow readers think.
So, what will it be? More Maxey, or no more Joel?
— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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❓What sporting event are you most looking forward to watching this Memorial Day weekend and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
For nine years as a backup quarterback in the NFL, Sean Mannion was learning. From St. Louis to Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Seattle, he gathered intel from each stop with one goal in mind: “Someday I hope to become a play-caller.”
“Someday” has arrived. Mannion, who’s entering his first season as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, spoke publicly for the first time on Thursday and offered his take on a range of topics, including Jalen Hurts’ rushing ability, his first impressions of the wide receivers, and the basis for his overall philosophy.
Mannion may be just starting out, but his counterpart on the defensive side, Vic Fangio, has seemingly innumerable years of NFL coaching experience. So is he planning to hang it up any time soon? Let him tell you.
Fangio also shed some light on what his plans are for this year’s squad, specifically All-Pro Cooper DeJean.
What we’re …
👀 Monitoring: Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. was charged with speeding and reckless driving after a May 15 arrest in Georgia.
🏆 Celebrating: It’s been almost two decades since Dawn Staley coached in the Big 5 — and even longer since she hooped in Philly — but all six current Big 5 women’s basketball coaches were honored with an award bearing her name. And an Eagles player took home some hardware, too.
🔊 Learning: A starter’s pistol won’t mark the start of this year’s Philadelphia Marathon. And a West Philly native is behind the noise that he says is helping make races more accessible.
Phillies reliever Chase Shugart grew up in Bridge City, Texas, a small town known best for its oil production. Two big leaguers have come out of Bridge City High School; Shugart is the only one who was actually born there.
The odds were stacked against him, geographically and financially, but, together, the Shugart family made it work.
Everyone seemed to play a role in Shugart’s success, from his biological parents, to his grandparents on his father’s side. But none more so than his 76-year-old “Granny” and his 78-year-old “Paw.”
Later this summer, three Phillies icons will reunite as teammates for a new competition at Citizens Bank Park during All-Star Week.
Next: The Phillies (25-25) welcome the Cleveland Guardians (29-22) for a three-game series starting Friday (6:40 p.m., NBCSP). Cristopher Sánchez (5-2, 1.82 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies; Gavin Williams (6-3, 3.67) will start for the Guardians.
Wow, that was fun, wasn’t it? Four days of gorgeous views and some of the world’s best golfers in our backyard. So, when do we get to do it again?
OK, so it might be a minute before another major comes to the area, but the PGA Tour’s future competition committee is evaluating markets, “places where there is a strong fan demand for our sport and a chance to reach new fans,” the tour’s CEO, Brian Rolapp, said.
Gabriela Carroll has more on when the PGA Tour might be back in the area.
Only the best of the best hoist the World Cup trophy, but local soccer fans got to come close with The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour on Thursday at the Palestra after the event was moved inside due to a rainy forecast.
The trophy was displayed inside the arena as part of its 38-stop tour across North America leading up to the start of next month’s World Cup.
Speaking of the World Cup, Fox, which will host 70 of 104 Cup matches on its main broadcast channel, is planning to take its World Cup studio show to games, college football-style, like Big Noon Kickoff and ESPN’s College Gameday.
"This is, just as a starting point, the biggest production Fox Sports has ever put on in our company’s history,” vice president of production Zac Kenworthy said at a media event on Thursday.
Jonathan Tannenwald has more details on what to expect from Fox’s World Cup coverage this summer.
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 highlights from the PGA Championship at Aronimink, the Eagles’ girls’ flag football championships, and the Phillies’ series against the Cincinnati Reds.
For years, building a roster (or trying to, anyway) around Joel Embiid was The Way. Now? Whomever the Sixers hire to replace Daryl Morey will need to center his decision-making on complementing Tyrese Maxey, and, especially VJ Edgecombe.
Embiid himself acknowledged as much after the Sixers were swept out of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.
“He’s the guy,” Embiid said of Edgecombe. “I think, I’m telling you guys, that guy is something different. And this was only Year 1, and this was only Year 1. Year 2 is gonna be better. Year 3, even better, but he has a chance to be extremely special.”
David Murphy writes more on the equation for a star and how Edgecombe flashed that potential in his rookie season.
What you’re saying about favorite athletes
We asked: Past or present, who did you always consider a down-to-earth athlete and why?
Not exactly an athlete but in the same business. Buddy Ryan and Charlie Manual were two of the best. Loved their press conferences and always “told it like it is” — Ronald R.
Dave Schultz. I heard him speak at a dinner. He is just a regular guy. He is so genuine. — Bill M.
Richie Ashburn was a wonderful down-to-earth athlete. One of the most unpretentious ball players and broadcasters in the history of MLB. And John Kruk is our present day Everyman. Whitey and Kruker both specialize in self-deprecation combined with a terrific sense of humor, and their mantra is “People helping people.” Great role models. — Stephen T.
Robin Roberts my boyhood hero. Saw him pitch and beat the Cardinals in my first ever MLB game in 1948. Later in life met him and had a fun filled time with him reminiscing about his Phillies career. Down to earth guy who just did his job while never complaining or seeking the limelight. — Everett S.
Garry Maddox — His hitting philosophy was a breath of fresh air! At a time when Schmidt and Rose would hold court about hitting a baseball, he just said “I see the ball and I hit it.” It goes double for today with launch angle, speed off bat, etc. — John M.
Richie Asburn. As a player he was an understated star commanding center field with his speed and contending for batting titles. As a beloved announcer, he helped to raise and educate a generation of baseball fans — “he looks runnerish Harry.” — Bob C.
I have three down to earth athletes, all from the same team — Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. These three are the reason the 2006 to 2012 Phillies teams will always be so fondly remembered over and above the championship that they won. — Tom E.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from DeAntae Prince, Gina Mizell, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, Owen Hewitt, Alex Coffey, Matt Breen, Gabriela Carroll, Jonathan Tannenwald, Mia Messina, David Murphy, 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.
Again, it’s so good to be back! Have a wonderful long weekend, and we’ll be back in your inboxes on Wednesday morning. — Maria