🦅 What did Brown do for you? | Sports Daily Newsletter

Loved him, or despised him, there’s a worthy argument that A.J. Brown has never failed to deliver value — even in departure.

Yesterday, the Eagles announced the trade of Brown to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick in the 2028 NFL draft and a fifth-round selection in next year’s draft.

The move capped a four-year run in midnight green for Brown, who was a catalyst behind the Eagles’ pair of recent Super Bowl appearances when he arrived on draft night in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in 2022, and then helped the franchise earn its second-ever title in 2024.

Reactions? Well, they were mixed on a deal that was months in the making. Of which, you can see how that all unfolded in the lead-up to the news, right here.

You’re waking up to what’s expected to be a glorious day across the region, with sunny skies and temps in the mid-70s.

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

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

❓The subject line of today’s Sports Daily is doubling as your question of the day. Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Now, this is promising. Whether it was just conjecture or rooting on the hometown kid, Cleveland sports talk radio paid homage to new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey recently, saying that the loss “stinks for the Cavs.”

The Sixers wooed Gansey, an Olmsted Falls, Ohio native, away from a 14-year career in the Cavaliers front office late Friday, prompting Nick Wilson, radio jock for Cleveland’s The Fan (92.3-FM), to say the following:

“It’s awesome for Mike Gansey; it stinks for the Cavs. “A lot of people really think the world of Mike Gansey.”

If you’re a Sixers fan, one has to be happy to see Gansey lauded at his former stop, a stop where the former GM was one round away from the NBA Finals. Inquirer writer Conor Smith has more on Gansey and what they’re saying about him.

🏈 Applauding: Temple football standout Tyler Matakevich on being on the ballot for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame.

⚽ Sharing: Luis Fonzi, Grammy-award-winning singer of the hit tune “Despacito,” will perform on the first night of the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill on June 11.

🤞🏽 Hoping: That Aiden Miller’s lower back doesn’t keep the Phillies top prospect from missing his entire first season.

🏀 Introducing: La Salle’s newest guard, by way of Arcadia, with a familiar last name around these parts.

👀 Watching: This UnCovering the Birds mini-chat between Inquirer writers Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner for a quick Eagles fix.

Joe Maddon managed against the Phillies in the World Series. Kyle Schwarber played for him with the Cubs and Brandon Marsh with the Angels. He has known Rob Thomson and Don Mattingly for years.

Oh, and he used to manage Mike Trout.

Maddon recently brought his unique perspective to Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, to share his thoughts on all things Phillies.

Next: The Phillies open a home series against San Diego at 6:40 tonight (NBCSP). Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.72 ERA) is scheduled to start opposite Padres righty Randy Vásquez (5-3, 3.28).

Recently, the Inquirer sat down with Rand Getlin, director of HBO documentary, U.S. Against the World, which chronicles the U.S. men’s national team’s journey in the four years between the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and this summer’s tournament on home soil.

The docuseries, which airs on HBO Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (episode four drops tonight), focuses on three of the four local standouts on this iteration’s roster in its upcoming fifth episode. Goalkeeper Matt Freese (Wayne), Brenden Aaronson (Medford), and Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.)

Inquirer writer Owen Hewitt dives into what to expect and what it was like following around the World Cup pool of players for four years to produce the series.

June 2, 1883: The first night baseball game under the lights took place today, 143 years ago, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

DeVonta Smith will be the Eagles’ WR1. But will he be a WR1? It’s not just a question. It’s the question. For the Eagles. For Jalen Hurts. For Sean Mannion. For Nick Sirianni. As of Monday morning, the Eagles are presumably hours or days away from trading away the only legitimate WR1 they’ve had since Terrell Owens body sculpted on the blacktop. A remarkable number of fates hinge on where the Eagles’ passing game goes from here. — With A.J. Brown out of the Eagles’ offensive picture, Murphy takes a look at what this means for the Birds’ other top receiver, DeVonta Smith.

A.J. Brown departs the Eagles as the only player in franchise history to notch 1,400-plus receiving yards in multiple seasons (2022, 2023). His 2022 single-season franchise best broke a decades-old record. Whose record did he break?

A) Harold Carmichael

B) DeSean Jackson

C) Mike Quick

D) Alshon Jeffery

We asked: What are your thoughts on the Sixers hiring Mike Gansey as the new president?

The Sixers have been dead to me ever since they decided to go in the tank while infamously telling fans to “trust the process.” — Doug R.

They fired a guy who traded for James Harden, who gave out in the playoffs, then hired a guy who traded for James Harden, who promptly choked in the playoffs. I’d love to be optimistic, but I’m not. Same old, same old, and Bob Myers got out of town in a hurry. — Joel G.

Won’t know until next season. Until then? Go Phillies. — Derek J.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, David Murphy, Conor Smith, Ariel Simpson, Owen Hewitt, Jonathan Tannenwald, Scott Lauber, Henry Savage, Lochlahn March, and Jeff McLane.

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

That’s Tuesday. Now, go out and enjoy it. My colleague Isabella will catch up with you all tomorrow. Take care, Philly. — Kerith