After having to wait an extra day for the Philadelphia Phillies' season to kick off due to a rainout on Thursday, the Phillies have an exciting opening weekend coming up with three back-to-back games against the division rival Atlanta Braves. What a way to start the season!
To make it even more exciting, the acclaimed honorary mayor of Philadelphia and Eagles legend Jason Kelce will throw out the first pitch ahead of Saturday's matchup. Former teammate and Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will join him on the mound. We all know how good Kelce and Cox are at firing up a stadium — this should be a fun one.
On his latest New Heights podcast episode, Kelce shared that he and Cox will throw out the first pitch at the Phillies game this Saturday against the Braves. As fans took to X to celebrate, Kelce tweeted that Cox will have to throw the pitch because his "elbow doesn't work."
So, Kelce is there to do what he does best: ignite a fire under the city of Philadelphia.
Yes Saturday, not the home opener, and to be clear @fcoxx_91 is gonna have to throw it because my elbow doesn’t work. https://t.co/QEqEucMY6G
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) March 27, 2024
Kelce and Cox are huge Phillies fans. They are the perfect pair to excite the city and pump up the ballpark. Both of them made frequent appearances at Citizens Bank Park during the past two postseasons to cheer on the team and show their support. Last year, Cox even found himself in the locker room celebrating with the team after the Phillies clinched the NLDS.
Just Bryce Harper shirtless and Fletcher Cox rocking out to dancing on my own… nothing to see here #phillies pic.twitter.com/oSL8Tim4ad
— Evan Macy (@evan_macy) October 13, 2023
Saturday's first pitch means more than most this weekend. Kelce and Cox have both recently retired from long, successful football careers with the Eagles, per the New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy, and will be remembered and idolized for their dedication and commitment to the city. Both athletes are known for their grit, passion, and dominance on the football field and have become icons in Philadelphia.
It's fitting to have these two throw out the first pitch together after their playing careers have just concluded. It is the perfect opportunity for them to essentially celebrate their retirements in front of thousands of fans, solidifying their playing careers while ringing in the 2024 baseball season.
This isn't the first, and won't be the last, Eagles-Phillies crossover
The two teams are intertwined in the lifeblood of Philadelphia sports fans, and there has been plenty of crossover between the two franchises. Just last postseason, D'Andre Swift and Terrell Edmunds became Phillies phanatics after sitting front-row and dropping side-splitting commentary during Game 2 of the NLCS. During the offseason, Bryce Harper cut a Sunday Night Football promo professing his allegiance to the Eagles and his commitment to the city.
On Saturday, the next chapter will be written. The pair of former Eagles will have The Bank rocking this weekend and fans will be excited to show Kelce and Cox just how much they are beloved by the city and thank them for their years of hard work on and off the football field. Let's hope the Phillies can secure the win and ring the bell in honor of their retirements.