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😕 Grounded | Sports Daily Newsletter

And the Linc gets stripped down.

The iconic Goodyear blimp, with its 100-year-old design, was seen flying throughout Philadelphia last year, due to coverage of the Truist Championship. It's set to do the same at Aronimink for the PGA Championship
The iconic Goodyear blimp, with its 100-year-old design, was seen flying throughout Philadelphia last year, due to coverage of the Truist Championship. It's set to do the same at Aronimink for the PGA Championship Read moreCourtesy of Goodyear

I missed out on a bucket list moment by about two hours yesterday.

Today, you were supposed to be reading a story by yours truly about the Goodyear blimp as it flew over Aronimink Golf Club during yesterday’s practice rounds of the PGA Championship.

Before I was scheduled to meet the pilots and board the airship, I got a text that read: “Unfortunately, the airship is grounded today due to gusty winds. The pilots have canceled all flights.”

Whomp. Whomp.

With that said, we had plenty of people on the ground covering the festivities ahead of today’s first tee time at 6:45 a.m. In that group is Delco native Braden Shattuck, who will be in tow with an 18-year-old as his caddie.

Also …

  1. Here’s a look at the major story lines heading into today.

  2. Play a virtual 18 while you learn all about Aronimink’s course, and

  3. Will Aronimink be featured in this upcoming Netflix documentary?

And if you want to nerd out on all things PGA Championship, our complete coverage is here.

The wind won’t be nearly as bad, but it’ll be damp from showers overnight, and temperatures will be in the mid-60s.

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

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❓What’s your bucket list sports moment? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

There’s a very good chance you’ll drive by Lincoln Financial Field this week and wonder why there’s a cover over the illuminated sign facing I-95. Or what happened to the massive Eagles banners that flank all the solar panels?

It’s all in preparation for the FIFA World Cup, which will kick off in less than 30 days. On Wednesday, delegates from the Eagles and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 offered a sneak peek at the new sod that’s been laid, and the reduced look of the Linc fans have come to expect, and how so much more is in line for removal ahead of the first game on June 14 — at Philadelphia Stadium.

What we’re …

⚽ Wondering: How soon might heads begin to roll after another Union defeat, this time against Orlando City.

🏒 Watching: What Flyers coach Rick Tocchet had to say about his young gun in Matvei Michkov.

🏈 Awaiting: The return of the NFL season, so we can witness the Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

👏🏽 Applauding: This local municipal golf course that’s scheduled to have a “major” of its own next week.

Bryce Harper and Ranger Suárez have experienced a lot together in seven years as Phillies teammates.

And they punctuated most of it with an inside joke.

“We had a handshake that we’d do, … [where] we’d point at each other and say, ‘Don’t worry, be happy,’” Harper recalled Wednesday. “We’d do it every day, and I loved it because it’s so Ranger. Like whatever happens is going to happen.”

Imagine, then, the feeling that will wash over both of them tonight when, weather-permitting (rain is in the forecast), Suárez is lined up to start for the Red Sox against his former team.

Despite a strong outing from Andrew Painter, the Phillies were on the losing end of a 3-1 final at Fenway Park.

Next: The Phillies wrap up their series against Boston at 6:45 tonight (NBCSP). Suarez (2-2, 2.77) will start opposite Jesus Luzardo (3-3, 5.77).

A day after the Flyers’ players conducted their exit interviews with the media, and less than a week since the team was eliminated from the playoff, it was Rick Tocchet’s turn to take the podium.

The first-year Flyers coach was asked about a lot of hot-button issues including his relationship with Matvei Michkov and his plans to fix the team’s anemic power play. Here’s what he had to say.

The Sixers are scheduled to hold their exit press conference today, with questions assuredly posed toward what’s next when it comes to the exodus of former president Daryl Morey.

Additionally, plans for Joel Embiid and Paul George linger with the Sixers contending that Embiid still has a home on the Sixers roster a move that proved to be a scarcity this past season. With that said, Inquirer writer Gina Mizell takes a look at five burning questions this offseason.

On this date

May 14, 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court removed a federal law that kick-started the rise of sports betting in most states. Nine years later and sports betting is a $2.9 billion business that’s still seeing rapid growth.

What you’re saying about the Sixers

We asked: What are your thoughts on the Sixers parting ways with Morey?

Replacing Daryl Morey was the right move. We are now saddled with two bad contracts of his making. The next move would be to find a way to move [Paul] George and [Joel] Embiid, perhaps in packages for other teams’ problems (Butler comes to mind). Sixers won’t be better soon, but it is time to restart the “process.” — John C.

I’m glad he’s gone. He has continued to break up the team with short-sighted signings and never seems to have thought long-term. The killer was this year when he traded away our recent first-round pick from Duke, who appeared to be heading towards a rookie of the year award when he ripped his knee. Combined with Maxey and Edgecombe, we would have had a real power backcourt to build on for the future. — Richard F.

He should never have been more than a scout. — D.W. Stone

I’m a Sixers fan since the Wilt days. Never liked Morey. He immediately screwed up by having to get Harden on his team, then the Ben Simmons saga, now we’re saddled with big contracts to [Joel] Embiid and [Paul] George. Elton Brand was doing a great job before he was bumped out. Gonna take a long time to recover. — Charlie F.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff Neiburg, Marcus Hayes, Jonathan Tannenwald, Gina Mizell, Ariel Simpson, Jackie Spiegel, Mariam Akraz, Scott Lauber, Sam Morris, Garland Fordice, and Olivia Reiner.

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.

Short and sweet today, but I’ll be back tomorrow to get your weekend going. Enjoy today, Philly. — Kerith

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