PHILLIES

The Philadelphia Phillies Chairman David P. Montgomery tragically passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 72.

Montgomery, who was battling cancer for the past five years, had been with the Phillies organization since 1971. Through the year, Montgomery moved up the ranks until he was named chairman in 2015 after coming back from surgery the previous year for jawbone cancer. While Montgomery’s career started with the Phillies, his love for his hometown team began as a fan at Connie Mack Stadium.

“Today is a really hard day. A very sad day and a painfully sad one beginning with the Phillies family, but extending even to Philadelphia,” said John Middleton, the Phillies principle owner, in an extremely emotional and heartfelt statement made to the press. “intertwined with the sorrow should be rejoicing. This is a man who lived a great life. He is an example to all of us, and we should all be grateful he was in our lives,”

According to senior Andrew Shah, who is currently in a high school internship for his senior project, the passing of Montgomery was so impactful to the entire Phillies organization that high school interns were asked not to come into work that day.

Montgomery was a true class act and one of the most well respected executives in not only the Phillies organization, but in all of baseball. Several other organizations around the MLB such as the Washington Nationals and New York Mets  joined the Phillies in mourning the loss of Montgomery.

MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. released the following written statement regarding Montgomery’s passing:

“I am deeply saddened on the passing of my dear friend David Montgomery. David was a first-class representative of his hometown team, the Philadelphia Phillies, for nearly half a century. He never forgot his days as a fan at Connie Mack Stadium, and he carried those lessons to Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park. David’s approach to running the franchise and serving its fans was to treat everyone like family. He set an outstanding example in Philadelphia and throughout our game.

“David was one of my mentors in baseball and was universally regarded as an industry expert and leader. In recent years, I marveled at his courage as he battled cancer and through it all his amazing ability to think of others.

“I will remember David Montgomery as a gentleman and a man of great integrity. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to David’s wife Lyn, their children and grandchildren and the entire Phillies organization.”

All City of Philadelphia flags will be flown down at half-staff for one week to honor Montgomery’s memory.

Following the news, the Phillies wrapped up their three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-0 win, taking the series 2-1.

Jerad Eickhoff stole the show in Wednesday’s game, pitching 8 shutout innings. What made things especially special was the fact that Eickhoff wears 48 on his jersey, and Montgomery spent 48 years with the Phillies before passing.

Cesar Hernandez had a great day at the plate after a slow start to the season. Hernandez had 3 hits, 3 RBI’s, and a solo homerun in the top of the 7 inning.

The Phillies continue their roadtrip with a three game series against the Kansas City Royals starting on Friday, May 10, at 8:15 pm.

SIXERS

The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Toronto Raptors 125-89 in game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Tuesday night at Toronto.

The 36-point deficit was the worst playoff loss for the Sixers since their 40-point loss in game one of the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.

The least Sixers fans can do after this embarrassing loss is pray that their superstar center can get his act together.

Joel Embiid, who’s been plagued with an upper respiratory infection, played some of the worst basketball of his short playoff career. Embiid’s struggles started early in the game as he shot 2-4 with 3 turnovers in the first quarter. Embiid finished the night with just 13 points, going 5-10 shooting with 8 turnovers in 31 minutes.

Like Embiid, Ben Simmons has also been struggling to play his best basketball within this series. Simmons latest issue in game five was his lack of scoring and trouble holding onto the ball. Between his sense of carelessness for the ball, poor attempts at flashy passes, and fear of attacking the rim, Simmons would rack up 5 turnovers and just 7 points on the night.

When asked if Embiid deserves to be criticized for his poor performances throughout the series, Sixers Head Coach Brett Brown said, “He [Embiid] gets shaken around to me too much. It’s grossly unfair some of the criticism he gets.”

After the embarrassing loss, the Sixers look to even the series with the Raptors as they head back home for game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

EAGLES

With word spreading about whether or not the Eagles will give quarterback Carson Wentz a contract extension given his injuries over the past two seasons, General Manager Howie Roseman said in a radio appearance on Sportsradio WIP on Tuesday that if the deal was right “we wouldn’t hesitate,” and that the team is “planning” on working out a deal with Wentz.

“I have so much faith in Carson Wentz,” said Roseman. “This guy is going to be a great player for the Philadelphia Eagles for a long time.”

Wentz will be going into the final season of his rookie deal this year, and while the Eagles do have the ability to pick up his fifth-year option, many are worrying if he is worth paying.

With news of Dak Prescott and the Cowboys closing in on a deal soon, Wentz is also expected to get his own contract shortly, although, if he gets a new contract it may be at a price, considering his injuries. If Wentz can bring back the superstar mentality that he had in the 2017-18 season though, then he will earn himself a blockbuster new deal.