The Infusion Of Youth into Philadelphia Sports Inspires Philly Fans

The future of Philadelphia sports is looking pretty good. The Phillies debuted two rookies to start the 2026 season, and each player has already contributed in the early going. Pitching phenom Andrew Painter and everyday center fielder Justin Crawford bring youth, and enthusiasm, which is just what the Phillies and their grizzled veterans need to keep the Phillies in the hunt for a World Series trophy. 

The Flyers, who haven’t been to the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2020, inserted their first-round pick from the 2025 NHL Draft pick into the starting lineup this week.  Porter Martone, whose Michigan State Spartans were eliminated from the college hockey playoffs last week, flew to Philadelphia to start his Flyers career.

The Flyers already have the fourth-youngest roster in the NHL, and have a promising future. Martone at 19 years old, along with Alex Bump (22), Tyson Foerster (24), and Denver Barkey (20), are just a few players that the Flyers are counting on to propel the Flyers into the future.

The Sixers future looks bright with the addition of their first round draft pick from the 2026 NBA Draft V.J. Edgecombe. The Sixers backcourt is as good as it gets with All-star Tyrese Maxey along with Edgecombe running offense. The Sixers are currently sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and if the Sixers can stay out of the play-in tournament, they have a punchers' chance to make a deep run in the NBA playoffs. 

The Eagles had a good 2025 NFL draft class led by South Jersey’s own Jihaad Campbell.  As the Birds' first round pick, Campbell saw a lot of action and even was a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.  The infusion of youth to our Philly sports teams gives us hope for the next championship. We will talk about it all this weekend in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim. 

On Saturday’s show, Producer Nick Earnshaw and my intern Erin Ewing join me in the studio.  Friday night’s triple header has the Sixers, Flyers, and Phillies all in action. We will cover it all. We will talk with the Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones about the state of the Flyers.  In Hour Two, we will get our “High School Athletes in the Spotlight” with Fran Mclaughlin brought to you by the Philly Pretzel Factory of EHT. 

On Sunday’s show, Producer Alex Berardis and my intern Erin Ewing join me in the studio. The Phillies are in Colorado, and we will go “On the Mound” with former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene brought to you by Blitz’s market of Ocean City.  Tommy analyses the Phillie week, and previews Sunday’s game.  In Hour Two, Mr. Negadelphia P.J. Corda checks in with his piffy comments on the Philly sports scene.

Sixers, Eagles talk and more this weekend The Locker Room with Billy Schweim, every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to Noon on 97.3 FM ESPN Radio South Jersey.