Spring training is right around the corner, but before we get to see Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers reporting to camp in Clearwater, Florida, next week, there’s the little matter of the Super Bowl on Sunday. With the Philadelphia Eagles facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, all anyone in Philly is going to be thinking about this weekend is the huge rematch from Super Bowl LVII two years ago.
With Eagles fever at an all-time high in Philadelphia, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was getting into the spirit of things this week as well. Playing in the WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am, Schwarber was seen sporting an A.J. Brown Eagles jersey before giving it away to a lucky Eagles fan.
He was also seen on camera giving his thoughts on Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
“Just an animal,” Schwarber said when asked about what he thinks when he sees Barkley play. “The guy’s a beast and he’s all business, that’s a cool thing. So, I want him to keep it going.”
Kyle Schwarber not the only Phillie repping the Eagles ahead of Super Bowl LIX
Schwarber wasn’t the only Phillie repping the Birds this week, either. Second baseman Bryson Stott was seen wearing an Eagles hat during a spot on MLB Network Friday.
Manager Rob Thompson told The Phillies Show podcast last week that those already in Clearwater this weekend will be getting together to watch the big game on Sunday. Catcher J.T. Realmuto followed that up by telling hosts Todd Zolecki, Ruben Amaro Jr. and Jim Salisbury that the Eagles are the team to cheer for during his recent interview on the podcast.
Schwarber, the Phillies’ designated hitter and leadoff man, was also in the news earlier this week for comments he made about his contract status and possible changes to the lineup this season. Heading into the final year of his four-year, $79 million deal, the soon-to-be 32-year-old said that he would love to return to Philadelphia and hopes to talk extension with the team during spring training.
That’s news that every Phillies fan will love to hear. Hopefully, they can get something done before the season gets underway.
With Thompson musing about trying some different lineup looks during spring training, Schwarber also said that he’s open to moving elsewhere in the batting order and isn’t married to the leadoff spot. The veteran clubhouse leader is more worried about the team’s success and winning this year.
“I’m going to do what they tell me to do,” Schwarber told Kyle Odegard of Sports Talk Philly. “For us, it’s all about trying to find the best possible way to win a game. No one has a personal attachment to where they hit. They just go out there wherever their name is written, and they go hit. If we feel like that’s the best lineup, we’re going to do it, and wherever I hit that day, I’m going to do it to my best ability.”
Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Eagles will be looking to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history but will have to go through Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs to do so. Go Birds!
