Giants among Phillies, and Mets
Usually we leave the baseball to Dave Murphy over at High Cheese, but this is a unique intersection of football and baseball involving two teams that Philly fans really despise.
Turns out before the Phillies and Mets play tonight at Citi Field, all the Giants' rookies will be on the field, including their nine draft choices. First-round pick Hakeem Nicks will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
"I'm looking forward to it, but I need to make sure I have this arm intact for that," Nicks said, according to a Giants press release. "I think it will be pretty cool. It's something I have never experienced before."
The visit was arranged by Mets PR guru Jay Horwitz, a lifelong Giants fans. Turns out David Wright, even though he grew up in Norfolk, Va., also is a lifelong Giants fan.
Nicks, a wide receiver chosen with the 29th overall pick from North Carolina, has been practicing. This will be the first major league game he has ever attended.
"I don't want to go out there in front of all those people and not have the ball make it the whole way," he said. "I heard it's pretty far from the pitcher to the catcher. I have to make sure I can reach."
In other news that intersects the two sports, the 6th annual NFL softball tournament will be at the NovaCare Complex on Friday.
Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie will play for the Eagles team against teams representing the Baltimore Ravens (the defending champions), Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, the NFL league office and the New York Jets. Eagles coaches Doug Pederson and David Culley are also expected to play.
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Back later with more updates as the Eagles wrap up their OTAs.