5. Joel Embiid’s game-winner in Game 3 vs. Toronto Raptors

“EMBIID A CATCH, A SHOT, AND A SCORE.” During Game 3 in Round 2 of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to take a 3-0 series lead while in Toronto. Tied at 95, the game went into overtime. The game was tied at 101 at the piece until 2.6 seconds when Joel Embiid hit the game-winning shot putting the Sixers up 3-0 in the series. I was thrilled that he’d finally gotten his revenge in Toronto. This was my favorite Sixers game to watch during the season. 

4. Kyle Schawbar signing

The Philadelphia Phillies added thunder to their starting lineup when they signed free agent Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber was frequently mentioned as a player who would fit best as a designated hitter. However, he has, over the years, shown to be a reliable corner outfielder. With Rhys Hoskins, Alec Bohm, and Bryce Harper on the roster of below-average defensive players, the Phillies could rotate their DHs rather than having just one player fill that position. Schwarber signed a four-year / $79,000,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, including $79,000,000 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $19,750,000 per spotrac. He was reunited with his former hitting coach Kevin Long when coming to Philadelphia. His 2022 season stats included a .218 average,46 HR,6 HR in the postseason, and 94 RBI. This singing was just the offensive piece the Phillies needed this season. He also started Schwarberfest at Wawa, a genuine Philly guy.

3. A.J. Brown trade

The Philadelphia Eagles got a big-time wide receiver on draft night, but they didn’t draft him. Heading into the draft, the Eagles had two first-round draft picks, and they traded pick #18 for veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown. Brown would play alongside Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Jalen Hurts for the 2022 NFL season. Immediately after being traded to the Eagles, Brown signed a new deal worth $100 million for/four-years. The $25 million APY during the extension makes him the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. As an Eagles fan, watching the duo of Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown has been something special. In my opinion, Brown is just the spark that the Eagles’ offense needed. Through Week 15, AJ Brown has 74 receptions,1,201 yards, and 10 TDs.

2. James Harden trade

Following the off-season drama surrounding PG Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers traded him for another franchise star. On February 10, 2022, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired PG James Harden in a trade that sent Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, Ben Simmons, and two first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets. Pairing All-Star Center Joel Embiid with an MVP-caliber playmaker in James Harden. Even though the Sixers lost in the 2nd round of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden looks very promising for the foreseeable future. In the 2022 offseason, James Harden took a pay cut and signed two year / $68,640,000 contract. The Sixers gave it all for a player like James Harden, putting them in a win-it-now mode for the next few seasons. Only time will tell if this trade was a slam dunk for the Sixers.

1. Bedlam at the Bank

After ten long years, the Philadelphia Phillies made the playoffs once again! A 6th seeded team wasn’t expected to make it far into the playoffs, but the Phillies danced on their own to the World Series. Going into Game 5 on October 23, 2022, the Phillies had a chance to make their way to the World Series for the first time since 2009. At the bottom of the 3rd inning, Rhys Hoskins hit his 5th HR of the playoffs, putting the Phillies up 2-0. As the top of the 7th inning came, things weren’t getting easier as Josh Bell tied the ball game at 2-2, and after two wild pitches by Seranthony Domínguez, the Padres took the lead and went up 3-2. With a chance to put his team up and go to the World Series, “HARPER HITS ONE IN THE AIR LEFT CENTER FIELD BACK IT GOES, THE SWING OF HIS LIFE,” announcer Joe Davis exclaimed. As a Phillies fan, this is a moment that I will never forget, as Bryce Harper led his team to the world series after 14 years.