Phillies Surprised, Eagles Soared in 2022: Philly Sports Chatter

PHILADELPHIA, PA —It came as quite a surprise. Maybe even a shock.

For the first time since 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies were in the World Series. No one ever expected them to be there, just like in 2017 when the Philadelphia Eagles wound up not only in the Super Bowl, but beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

A World Series victory would have capped a crazy season in which a manager was fired and the team went through a magical playoff run, knocking off St. Louis, Atlanta, and San Diego before succumbing to the Houston Astros.

We watched Bryce Harper take the team on his back just as intended when he signed the massive 13-year contract a few years back. We saw that amazing World Series home game —I was there with my son —when the Phillies hit homer after homer into the seats at Citizens Bank Park as the mock Liberty Bell dinged and donged.

It was magical and memorable. And it leaves us craving for more.

The Phillies head into 2023 with Harper having elbow surgery and not returning possibly until mid-season, but Dave Dombrowski, the architect of this late burst of roster chemistry, snapped his fingers and grabbed top free agent shortstop Trea Turner to hold down the fort and make his own magic.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Pattison Avenue, the Eagles are working on their own magic, striving for the top seed in the NFC with hopes that quarterback Jalen Hurts and take the team on his back as he has for most of the season but maybe do the same as Harper for the playoffs.

The Birds were beaten by the Dallas Cowboys —and we all hate to see that —and are struggling through some injuries as the regular season winds down. It's so important to have healthy bodies going into the playoffs.

Just ask the Sixers. Remember last year?

Star stud Joel Embiid had an MVP-type regular season but then got bashed and battered in the playoffs when the games really counted. Embiid just wasn't his usual dominant self and the Sixers got tossed around like Raggedly Ann dolls for most of the playoff series before bowing out for an early exit once again.

This year, these Sixers have finally started to get their act together and rattled off a recent string of wins. No that James Harden has returned from injury to pair with Embiid, the Sixers could be promising, especially when star guard Tyrese Maxey returns from injury.

So that leaves us with three teams with potential playoff success.

Does anyone want to talk about the Flyers? I didn't think so. There's not much to say.

It's a train wreck of a franchise and has been for several years and decades now. Maybe 2026.

So we look to 2023 with high hopes once again for the Phillies, the gold standard for the team in green, and the monster in Embiid to go all the way.

Anything is possible. Just look what the Phillies accomplished in 2022.