DAN GELSTON

AP Sports Writer
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper celebrates after a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the =1- inning in Game 1 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Harper, Schwarber, Castellanos power Phillies past Diamondbacks 5-3 in Game 1 of NLCS
Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.
October 17, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper practices before the baseball NL Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Phillies host Game 1 on Monday, Oct. 16. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper wants big leaguers to play baseball at 2028 LA Olympics
Bryce Harper wants to take a swing at the Olympics. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger said it would be a dream to play for Team USA when baseball returns for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
October 16, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles' D'Andre Swift (0), bottom, fumbles the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Jets recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Eagles try to bounce back from first loss of season, rough effort from QB Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles lost their first game of the season after five straight wins. Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions and has seven this season. He threw six all of last year.
October 16, 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman during the fifth inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Arizona’s Gallen, Walker root, root, root against the home team Phillies in NLCS
Arizona ace Zac Gallen and slugging first baseman Christian Walker were both raised in the Philadelphia area. Walker was a huge Phillies fan. He loved Chase Utley and Ryan Howard and all the other Phillies greats from 15 years ago.
October 15, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) works from the mound in the first inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Zack Wheeler blossoms into ace for Phillies, gets Game 1 start against Arizona in NLCS
Zack Wheeler is the Philadelphia Phillies’ most dependable starter as he gets set for Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. He signed a $118 million, five-year contract ahead of the 2020 season.
October 15, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a three run home run during the third inning of Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Bryce Harper shines as Phillies aim for second straight World Series
Bryce Harper has the Philadelphia Phillies on the brink of their second straight trip to the World Series. The National League champions host the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series on Monday.
October 13, 2023
The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after Game 4 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 3-1 to win the series. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Braves lose to Philly for 2nd straight season, 100 wins again not enough in NLDS exit
The Atlanta Braves were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the National League Division Series for the second straight season. The Braves won 101 games last season and 104 this season.
October 13, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos flips his bat after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of Game 4 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Castellanos hits 2 homers again, powers Phillies past Braves 3-1 and into 2nd straight NLCS
Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit multiple homers in consecutive postseason games, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-1 win in Game 4 of their NL Division Series that knocked the 104-win Atlanta Braves out of the playoffs for the second straight year.
October 13, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Bryce Harper slugs 2 more homers as Phillies pound Braves 10-2 in Game 3 of NL Division Series
Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer and a solo shot to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
October 12, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos (8) celebrates scoring a run with Bryson Stott (5) in the fifth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Phillies insist they can put stunned disbelief of Game 2 meltdown behind them against Braves
The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are tied 1-1 in the National League Division Series. The Phillies will start right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 3 on Wednesday in Philadelphia. The Braves have not yet named a starting pitcher.
October 10, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after the Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23-14 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Jalen Hurts finally flashes a breakout run game. The 5-0 Eagles need more of it to stay undefeated
Jalen Hurts passed for 303 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 72 yards and another score, and the Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 23-14 to improve to 5-0. Hurts was clutch on third down.
October 9, 2023
FILE - Calum Scott poses backstage at the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Sunday May 7, 2023. Calum Scott never would have guessed his version of a song about a lonely, heartbroken person would become a postseason anthem for a team in America. But the English singer is ready to come to Philadelphia and sing "Dancing on My Own" should the Phillies win the World Series. (Ian West/Pool via AP, File)
‘Dancing On My Own’ singer Calum Scott says he’ll perform for Phillies if they win the World Series
British singer Calum Scott says he’ll visit Philadelphia and perform his pop hit “Dancing On My Own” if the Phillies win the World Series after the song resurfaced as their postseason anthem for the second straight year.
October 5, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto, right, reacts past Miami Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of Game 2 in an NL wild-card baseball playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Young Marlins flop against Phillies in NL Wild Card Series sweep
The Miami Marlins couldn’t solve Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola. Their pitching couldn’t shut down Philly’s big boppers. And the Marlins sure couldn’t quiet a Phillies crowd that came primed for another postseason party. The result was a two-game sweep.
October 5, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott reacts after hitting a grand slam against Miami Marlins pitcher Andrew Nardi during the sixth inning of Game 2 in an NL wild-card baseball playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Phillies sweep Marlins to earn NL Division Series rematch with MLB-best Braves
Bryson Stott crushed the second grand slam in Philadelphia Phillies postseason history and Aaron Nola tossed seven shutout innings in a performance worthy of a postseason ace that led to a 7-1 win and a two-game sweep over the Miami Marlins in their NL Wild Card Series.
October 5, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, left, Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos celebrate after the Phillies won Game 1 in an NL wild-card baseball playoff series against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Wheeler strikes out 8, Castellanos tells Phillies to put a ring on it in 4-1 win over Marlins
Zack Wheeler struck out eight and pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener of their NL Wild Card Series.
October 4, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, left, celebrates his home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates' Luis Ortiz with teammate Bryce Harper during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
NL champion Philadelphia Phillies look to make quick work of upstart Marlins in Wild Card Series
The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to reach the World Series for the second straight season. The National League champions feel they have unfinished business after falling short of a championship last season.
October 2, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Hurts’ breakthrough passing game resembles 2022, and so does 4-0 start for NFC champion Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-0 for the second straight season. While they didn’t play up to their 2022 standards in their first three games, they got a performance reminiscent of last year from Jalen Hurts on Sunday.
October 2, 2023
FILE - Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) calls to teammates during the first half of Game 5 against the Boston Celtics in the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Boston. James Harden skipped the Philadelphia 76ers’ media day and his status for training camp this week in Colorado is unclear because the franchise has yet to meet the disgruntled guard’s demand for a trade. “He's not here today,” team president Daryl Morey said Monday. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Disgruntled Harden no-show at 76ers’ media day, training camp status unclear after trade demand
James Harden skipped the Philadelphia 76ers’ media day and his status for training camp this week in Colorado is unclear because the franchise has yet to meet the disgruntled guard’s demand for a trade.
October 2, 2023
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Howell puts Buffalo disaster behind him, shines in tying drive but can’t lead Commanders past Eagles
Washington quarterback Sam Howell shed a disaster game in Buffalo to flash a glimpse of why the Commanders believe so strongly in him. He was picked four times and sacked nine times in a 37-3 loss at Buffalo last week.
October 1, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) reaches for a touchdown catch in front of Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Hurts throws for 319 yards, Elliott’s 54-yarder lifts 4-0 Eagles past Commanders 34-31 in OT
Jalen Hurts threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Elliott kicked a 54-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Philadelphia Eagles to a 34-31 win over the Washington Commanders. Philadelphia is off to its second straight 4-0 start.
October 1, 2023
Hayden Dorfman, 10, of Voorhees, N.J., holds up Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper’s autographed helmet during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Philadelphia. Harper tossed his helmet into the stands after he was ejected and it was retrieved by Dorfman. (AP Photo/Daniel Gelston)
Phillies’ Harper flips out on ump, tosses helmet into the stands where it’s retrieved by 10-year-old
Bryce Harper flipped out on the third base umpire and then flipped his maroon Phillies helmet over the protective netting and into the stands. This was no ordinary souvenir like a foul ball.
September 29, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper walks off the field after being ejected in the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Kyle Schwarber homers, Bryce Harper ejected but Phillies fall to Pirates 3-2
Kyle Schwarber went deep, Bryce Harper went off on an umpire and was ejected and Trea Turner went from second to home on a stolen base but the Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Thursday night.
September 29, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, left, celebrates his home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates' Luis Ortiz with teammate Bryce Harper during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper tosses helmet into stands after ejection by Ángel Hernández
Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper was ejected in the third inning against Pittsburgh following a furious outburst toward third base umpire Ángel Hernández on a checked strike three.
September 29, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Logan Hall (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Eagles hope to get receivers going, remain unbeaten when they host division rival Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to start the season 4-0 when they host NFC East rival Washington on Sunday. Philadelphia has won its first three games for a second consecutive season.
September 28, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Garrett Stubbs, right, react after hitting a three-run home run against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Johan Oviedo during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Bryce Harper homers in the 7th inning and leads the playoff-bound Phillies past the Pirates 7-6
Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning as one of the few regulars in Philadelphia’s lineup and the Phillies rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on Wednesday night, a day after clinching the NL’s top wild-card spot.
September 28, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper celebrates after winning a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch a wild-card playoff spot, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Phillies are again embracing ‘Dancing On My Own’ as their postseason party anthem
The Philadelphia Phillies have made a habit of celebrating big clinching victories and postseason wins with the dance smash “Dancing On My Own.” The song was their postseason anthem in 2022.
September 28, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Jose Alvarado celebrates after winning a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch a wild-card playoff spot, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies clinch NL wild-card berth, head to postseason for second straight year
Johan Rojas hit an RBI single in the 10th inning that sent the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and clinched a National League wild-card berth.
September 27, 2023
FILE - Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins clutches his knee after getting injured against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a spring training baseball game March 23, 2023, in Clearwater, Fla. Hoskins remained a longshot to make the postseason roster as he recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday, Sept. 26, that the slugger still is not likely to get cleared ahead of the World Series, if it all. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Phillies’ injured first baseman Rhys Hoskins remains a long shot to make postseason roster
Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins remained a long shot to make the postseason roster as he recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee. Hoskins is hitting home runs in batting practice and up to about 75 or 80 swings a day.
September 26, 2023
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter (98) and Marlon Tuipulotu (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Eagles’ defense continues to shut down running games and force turnovers in 3-0 start
The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0 this season in large part because of a dominant defense. The Eagles have allowed just 145 yards rushing in three games on 48 carries. That’s just over 48 yards per game and about 3 yards per carry.
September 26, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Phillies have the arms and big bats to make a second straight run at the World Series
The Philadelphia Phillies need one win to clinch their second straight playoff berth. They can get there as early as Tuesday with a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park.
September 25, 2023
Load More