It’s finally here. The city has been illuminated red all week in anticipation of the Phillies’ opening day, with Game 1 of 162 getting underway today against the Texas Rangers (4:15 p.m., NBC10) at Citizens Bank Park.
Players in pinstripes will take to the field for the start of a six-game homestand to open the season, but one thing that won’t be there is Harry the K’s, the concession area that paid homage to iconic Phillies announcer Harry Kalas.
The bones are there, but rebranded as the Ghost Energy Deck, named after the energy drink brand that paid to be the new namesake. But now both Phillies ownership and the head of Ghost are catching heat for the notion of losing Harry the K’s.
“There’s a seven-foot statue of the guy [Kalas] in left field. The broadcast booth is named for him and has a plaque,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a conversation with On Pattison’s Tim Kelly. ”I mean, it’s not like we’re not honoring his legacy. And it’s not like we’re not going to continue to honor his legacy during the future.”
Our leadoff for opening day is this from writer Matt Breen, who spoke with the founder of Ghost Energy, who agreed that when it comes to Kalas, his legacy is “bigger than a concession stand."
Also, if you haven’t seen all the work that went into this year’s Phillies season preview, allow me to show you.
Today is going to be one glorious day for baseball as temps are expected to head into the low 70s right around first pitch. Enjoy. 😎
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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With opening day upon us, we know you know the names — and most of the faces, too — on an estimated $317 million Phillies roster, from Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler to Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto to Trea Turner and Aaron Nola.
Still, that doesn’t mean ahead of today’s first pitch we can’t take a look at the 26 players on the opening day roster — plus Wheeler and Orion Kerkering, who will begin the season on the injured list — and a question that each will face in 2026.
What we’re …
⚽ Sharing: A final opportunity to purchase tickets for the FIFA World Cup at face value arrives on April 1.
❌ Reading: How NFL stadiums, including the Linc, plan to scrub all of their branding ahead of the World Cup.
⛸️ Watching: Where South Jersey figure skater Isabeau Levito finishes at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
🏀 Wondering: How Temple plans to retool after a promising men’s basketball season ended up in the end being anything but.
👀 Noticing: How the Sixers respond in the return of Paul George to the starting lineup.
Despite being injured, Tyrese Maxey is staying busy, most notably making his first appearance on late-night TV earlier this week to talk about the Sixers and his season so far, on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
Maxey, who is on the mend from an injury to the little finger on his right hand, told Fallon that he’s “getting there.” On March 10, the Sixers said that Maxey, who’s wearing a small cast, would be reevaluated in three weeks.
He also discussed being a Cowboys fan, which … we’ll just leave it at that.
With George and Joel Embiid back in the lineup, the Sixers rolled the Chicago Bulls, 157-137. George scored 23 of his 28 points in the second half in his first appearance after a 25-game suspension.
The Flyers have done a lot of losing of late, as they have missed the postseason in each of the last five years and are now 50 years removed from their last Stanley Cup triumph.
That postseason drought looks to extend to six years after the Flyers fell flat Tuesday in a 3-2 loss against one of the teams they are chasing, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The loss leaves the Flyers’ playoff hopes on life support, with all signs pointing to another finish in the dreaded middle.
Jackie Spiegel wrote about the Flyers’ seemingly annual tradition of slowly building up some hope, before the inevitable letdown. And asks if this year could be different.
Before we know it, April 23 will be here, and the Eagles will be on the clock for their first pick in the NFL draft.
With that date approaching, the team has been holding a host of pre-draft workouts and visits with prospects from all over the college football landscape. Inquirer writer Devin Jackson has been tracking as many as he can, chronicling their intangibles and what they bring to the table.
Here’s a did-you-know from Devin: Last year, the Eagles did not draft anyone who reportedly took a visit to Philly. But five of the nine players the Eagles drafted in 2024 were brought to the Eagles’ facilities, and in 2023, Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Nolan Smith each visited the Birds during the predraft process.
To see which players the Birds are talking to and what it could mean in the long run, you have to check out this latest list of prospects.
Join Inquirer baseball writers Scott Lauber and Lochlahn March for a special edition of Gameday Central Live, sponsored by Xfinity. They will recap spring training, discuss the season ahead, and even make a few bold predictions. It all starts before first pitch at 2:45 p.m. Thursday on Gameday Central.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
ROBENS ONERANNAD
This local soccer standout is fighting to make the U.S. roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Need a hint? He’s of the Garden variety. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.
What you’re saying about the Sixers
We asked: What are your thoughts on the Sixers and their outlook for the postseason?
The Sixers will not go far. They stand as the 14th best out of 30 teams, and most of the teams above them are much better. Too many injuries and too many problems. Neither Embiid nor George has ever won an NBA Championship, and that will certainly not change this year. — Everett S.
One and done as in one play-in game and done. — Mike P.
Nowhere. Too inconsistent. [Tyrese] Maxey, our best player, is hurt and I have very little confidence in Embiid finishing the season. Hopefully, change is coming soon. Go Birds. — Paul C.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Gabriela Carroll, Ryan Mack, Gina Mizell, Kerith Gabriel, Devin Jackson, Jonathan Tannenwald, and Jackie Spiegel.
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 it for your Thursday. If anyone’s looking for me, I’ll be watching Jamaica take on New Caledonia in the dark, hoping they make it through this first FIFA playoff qualifier. Jim returns tomorrow to get you set for the weekend. — Kerith