Regardless of whether you stayed up late last night to watch the end of the Phillies’ first of 10 games out on the West Coast or you didn’t, chances are Sunday’s walk-off winner is still very much on the mind.
That game, an unreal six-run, two-out ninth-inning stretch that saw the Phillies beat the Cardinals, was the club’s ninth win since before they stepped out of an Iowa cornfield to put a hurt on the Twins during the Field of Dreams game.
The Phillies entered last night’s game against Seattle first in the major leagues with a .370 on-base percentage for the month of August. In July, they were dead last with a .303 OBP. None of this makes any sense, but taking the ride for our amusement all season has been Inquirer writer Scott Lauber, who breaks down what is going on and how long it could last in this video.
And before this hits its sell-by date, if you’ll indulge us with reliving the sound of that walk-off just one more time ...
You’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t step outside today. Expect temperatures in the upper 70s under clear skies on this final Tuesday in August.
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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Imagine being a rookie. The pressure is there even if everyone insists it’s not. Now, imagine being a rookie with all of that pressure, and you can’t play ... because of an injury ... during preseason.
If you can imagine all of that, you would have taken a step in the shoes of new Eagles wideout Makai Lemon, who is hustling to get on the field — again — following a hamstring injury. However, Lemon is back on the field, taking part in his first full practice on Monday.
So how’d it go? Here’s what he had to say about his recovery and itch to get back in time for this weekend’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What we’re...
🦅 Watching: Eagles reporter Jeff McLane answers your questions during this unCovering the Birds podcast special.
🤔 Wondering: How much of a ratings boost will LeBron James’ move to the Sixers really bring to Philly? Historically speaking, a lot.
📰 Reading: This breakdown of Enes Kanter’s series of stunts and what his stance means not just for Natasha Cloud and the WNBA.
🇮🇹 Wishing: We could have a week like Eagles security chief Big Dom DiSandro.
🏈 Sharing: All of Cam Jurgens’ side hustles in addition to being the Birds’ center. Jerky anyone?
Win or lose, the boys of West Chester’s East Side Little League have already created core memories.
Representing the Mid-Atlantic in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., they got to hang out with professionals, meet players from around the world, and play under the lights for a nationally televised audience on ESPN. Unfortunately, their run in Williamsport came to an end on Monday with a 6-5 loss in extra innings.
Before that, a few players told us what has the experience been like.
When the winners of the upcoming Philadelphia Cycling Classic accept their trophies this Sunday, they’ll be taking home a piece forged in Philly.
Avid cyclist and North Philly blacksmith John Rais was commissioned to create six trophies for the popular road race that returned for the first time in a decade. Well, actually he wasn’t commissioned.
He sort of commissioned himself after speaking with organizer Carlos Rogers, as the two discussed the cost of returning the race to Philly.
“I was like, ‘Carlos, I’ll make the trophies for free for you,’” Rais said. “‘I’ll just do that.’”
Inquirer writer Owen Hewitt has more on Rais, the race and what the winners in both the men’s and women’s divisions will be taking home.
On this date
Aug. 25, 1968: Arthur Ashe, who once had a tennis center named in his honor just outside of Manayunk to introduce the sport to scores of Philly-area kids, became the first Black player to win a U.S. Open title 58 years ago today.
We’ll call it the Schwarber Era because it was Kyle Schwarber’s 459-foot, two-run, walk-off Schwar-bomb that extended the winning streak Sunday afternoon, and because, with due respect to Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, Schwarber is the soul of this ballclub. The latest from Hayes examined the five reasons to believe in the Phillies again, even though it might make you go a little zany.
🧠 Trivia time
In 2019, former Inquirer writer Frank Fitzpatrick referred to this Flyers team as “the best to never win a championship,” after they went on a 35-game unbeaten streak that lasted 86 days.
A) 1972-73
B) 1991-92
C) 2008-09
D) 1979-80
What you’re saying about sports skills
We asked: Which sport has the most universal skill set?
It takes a lot of talent to play sports in Philadelphia, but perhaps none more than on skates and ice. The Flyers possess a universal skill set that not only requires that of the other sports — but to do so with an added level of complexity. — Michael L.
I think the most universal sport skills are those that go back to the beginning of our human existence, with man against man. [Think] combat sports, whether wrestling or boxing, and then running, throwing, swimming, and lifting, etc. — Everett S.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Scott Lauber, Jeff McLane, Marcus Hayes, Owen Hewitt, Becca O’Reilly, Rob Tornoe, Ariel Simpson, Olivia Reiner, Conor Smith and Mia Messina.
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 your Tuesday. Thanks for taking time out this AM. We’ll be back in your inbox bright and early tomorrow. — Kerith