DAN GELSTON

AP Sports Writer
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper takes an at-bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
It’s a boy! Phillies slugger Bryce Harper uses blue bat to signal creative baby gender reveal
Bryce Harper is set to take another swing at fatherhood — and he did it with a blue bat. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger used a blue bat in his first plate appearance of Monday night’s game against San Francisco as part of a gender reveal for his fourth child.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner, left, comes in to score as San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp, right, looks on during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Giants slug 3 homers and continue fast start with a 10-4 win over Phillies
Willy Adames and Mike Yastrzemski homered, and Tyler Fitzgerald also went deep, doubled and tripled to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 10-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
 
Philadelphia 76ers' Nick Nurse speaks before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Following 24-win season, 76ers still pin championship hopes on All-Stars Embiid, Maxey, George
The 76ers mercifully ended perhaps — given the weight of the championship expectations with a roster that included three elite stars in Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey and a massive payroll — their worst season in franchise history. 76ers President Daryl Morey has the solution to turn the
 
Jaron Ennis gestures after defeating Karen Chukhadzhian in an IBF World Welterweight title bout Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
‘Boots’ Ennis crowns himself best fighter in 147-pound division with dominant win over Stanionis
Jaron Ennis crowned himself the best fighter in the 147-pound division when he stopped Eimantas Stanionis after six rounds and claimed three shares of the welterweight division with a decisive win in boxing’s return to Atlantic City.
 
Jaron Ennis gestures after defeating Karen Chukhadzhian in an IBF World Welterweight title bout Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Philly’s favorite boxer ‘Boots’ Ennis is bringing a big-time bout back to Atlantic City
Jaron Ennis noted one of his all-time favorite fights was the night Floyd Mayweather Jr. absolutely destroyed Arturo Gatti in a 2005 fight in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
 
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks to the media at a welcoming event for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
FIFA president Infantino promises ‘the world will be welcomed’ as Club World Cup preps for US debut
The United States is getting ready to host the Club World Cup. It’s an international soccer tournament designed to bring together 32 professional teams from around the world with matches in 11 cities this summer.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos, center, celebrates with Bryce Harper (3) after hitting a grand slam off Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Vesia during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Castellanos’ grand slam helps Phillies beat Dodgers 8-7, take 2 of 3 from World Series champions
Nick Castellanos hit a grand slam, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied with two runs in the seventh inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7.
 
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott tagged him out attempting to steal second during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Dodgers blunders on the bases cost them perfect record, best start in franchise history
The best start in Dodgers history stays with Brooklyn. The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers ran themselves out of a shot at keeping their undefeated season alive in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night that stuck them at 8-1 on the season.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Jesús Luzardo pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Luzardo strikes out 8 as Phillies end World Series champion Dodgers perfect start with 3-2 win
Jesús Luzardo followed up his sensational Phillies’ debut with two-hit ball and eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings in Philadelphia’s 3-2 win over Los Angeles on Friday night that ended the Dodgers’ undefeated start.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper gestures after he singled during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Phillies’ Harper says ‘only losers complain’ about how much World Series champion Dodgers spend
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper loves LA — well, at least the World Series champion Dodgers freewheeling spending on their way to the nearly $320 million payroll.
 
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts will make White House visit after skipping previous celebration under Trump
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts said he will attend next week’s World Series championship celebration at the White House after he declined to attend a previous ceremony in President Donald Trump’s first term.
 
Jared Smith speaks about torpedo baseball bats during an interview at Victus Sports in King of Prussia, Pa., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Demand for viral ‘torpedo’ baseball bats has sent a Pennsylvania factory into overdrive
Torpedo bats drew attention over the weekend when the New York Yankees hit a team-record nine homers in one game.
 
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard glances up at the scoreboard during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Florida, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Who me? Willard downplays criticism by unhappy Maryland as he takes Villanova job
The Villanova Wildcats are ready to move on with Maryland’s Kevin Willard as their new coach. Willard had been linked to the Villanova job throughout the NCAA Tournament, where the Terrapins earned a No. 4 seed and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Florida.
 
Philadelphia 76ers' Jared McCain, from left, Alex Reese, Joel Embiid, Justin Edwards, Oshae Brissett, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Andre Drummond, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Kyle Lowry watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Friday, March 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid set for arthroscopic surgery on left knee
Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week on his left knee, the latest attempt to make the All-Star center healthy enough to play next season.
 
This undated image provided by the Rochester Red Wings, shows organist Fred Costello. (Rochester Red Wings via AP)
At 89, Fred Costello plays the organ on opening day in Rochester just like he has since 1977
Fred Costello could swing a bat about as well as he could perform a melody as a kid growing up in Syracuse, New York. He wanted to play at ballparks, and figured the best way to reach that dream was through his arm and a sweet swing.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber reacts after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik during the seventh inning of the Phillies' home-opener baseball game, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Phillies offense gets big hits late in home opener after Super Bowl champion Eagles are honored
Saquon Barkley and Brandon Graham raised the Lombardi Trophy after a pair of first pitches that had Philadelphia Phillies fans roaring in delight for the Super Bowl champions.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, center, celebrates with Edmundo Sosa (33) after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik (not shown) during the seventh inning of the Phillies' home-opener baseball game, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Schwarber homers, Kepler and Castellanos go back to back to lead Phillies past Rockies 6-1
Edmundo Sosa ripped a two-out, go-ahead two-RBI double in the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber followed with a mammoth homer to center field to rally the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.
 
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard glances up at the scoreboard during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Florida, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Can Villanova rise into a championship contender again? Wildcats bank on Kevin Willard to lead them
The Villanova Wildcats have hired Maryland’s Kevin Willard as their new coach. Willard had been linked to the Villanova job throughout the NCAA Tournament, where the Terrapins earned a No. 4 seed and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Florida.
 
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) sits on the bench during player introductions before playing against the Duke in an Elite Eight round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Sears, Alabama can’t duplicate record 3-point night, fall to Duke with Final Four at stake
Mark Sears was held to six points and Alabama followed an NCAA Tournament-record 25 3-pointers with only eight, dooming its shot at a second straight Final Four in an 85-65 loss to Duke in the East Region final.
 
Alabama players react during the second half of a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Brigham Young, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
How in the name of Bear Bryant has Alabama turned into a basketball school?
Alabama will never be confused with a Duke or Kentucky or Kansas. Several sweet March runs under coach Nate Oats aren’t about to overtake a century of tradition down at Bryant-Denny Stadium and make hoops the official sport of Alabama.
 
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump talks with UFC CEO Dana White at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
UFC boss Dana White texts with Trump, starts a boxing league and does things his way
Dana White spends his time texting with President Donald Trump, running UFC and starting a new boxing promotion. Already the king of combat sports, White may soon run all of boxing.
 
FILE 0-Rob Gronkowski, wearing a wrestling championship belt, makes an appearance at Gronk Beach music festival during Super Bowl week on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Photo by Mark Peterman/Invision/AP, File)
Gronk-a-Mania set to run wild over WrestleMania weekend
Rob Gronkowski grew up emulating his sports heroes in school, never shy about unleashing a Stone Cold Stunner or dropping a People’s Elbow on his roughhousing friends.
 
Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) hugs Duke head coach Jon Scheyer after Arizona lost to Duke in a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Caleb Love goes down swinging for Arizona with 35 points in Sweet 16 loss to Duke
Caleb Love once put away Duke at the Final Four — and ended coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career. Three years later and two rounds earlier, Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils stuck it to Love in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and got to spoil college Love’s finale.
 
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) puts up a shot against Brigham Young during the second half of a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Alabama makes March Madness record 25 3s and romps past BYU 113-88 to reach Elite Eight
Alabama broke the 35-year-old March Madness record for 3-pointers with 25 and Mark Sears scored 30 of his 34 points on 3s in an 113-88 victory over BYU in an NCAA Tournament East Region semifinal.
 
Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi (11), guard Mark Sears (1) and guard Chris Youngblood (8) react during the second half of a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Brigham Young, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Led by Mark Sears, Alabama breaks the record for 3-pointers in a March Madness game with 25
Led by Mark Sears, Alabama broke the 35-year-old record for 3-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game, making 25 in a 113-88 victory over BYU in an East Region semifinal.
 
Actor Jon Heder prepares to serve a plate of tater tots ahead of BYU's game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston)
Gosh! ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ star Jon Heder dishes out tater tots ahead of BYU’s Sweet 16 game
Napoleon Dynamite served tater tots on a plate instead of stuffing them in his pocket — and threw his Sweet 16 vote behind BYU.
 
Notre Dame guard Alex Dragicevich celebrates following Notre Dame's 67-58 victory over Syracuse in an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday Jan. 21, 2012, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, File)
Former Notre Dame basketball player takes a shot at stand-up comedy
Alex Dragicevich stood tall at 6-foot-6 over a four-year collegiate career split between Notre Dame and Boston College. He’s now one of the biggest — in size, at least — stand-ups in comedy.
 
Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery watches against the Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn hires former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery to lift fallen program back into Ivy contention
Penn has hired Fran McCaffery as its men’s basketball coach, two weeks after he was fired at Iowa in a season where the Hawkeyes won their fewest games and had their lowest Big Ten regular-season finish in seven years.
 
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella stands behind his bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)
Flyers fire coach John Tortorella in midst of another losing season
The Philadelphia Flyers fired coach John Tortorella on Thursday with nine games left in another losing season for a franchise that hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2020.
 
Brigham Young forward Richie Saunders, left, is congratulated after facing Wisconsin during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jump on the tot train! BYU’s Richie Saunders becomes tater tot king on way to Sweet 16
Some players thrive in a pressure cooker. BYU’s Richie Saunders prefers the deep fryer. Saunders is a descendant of the man who invented tater tots.
 
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