Alex Coffey
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byalexcoffey.bsky.social
Alex Coffey
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social
Sports features for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Second-generation sportswriter. Proud sister of an Olympic gold medalist. ✉️: [email protected]
Pinned
In 1991, Ginny Burbage, a courier at FedEx, saw a package with Charles Barkley's address on it.

Her brother, Tommy Murphy, had terminal cancer. He was a big Sixers fan.

So, she sent him a letter.

Days later, Barkley came to their house. He stayed for two hours:
www.inquirer.com/sixers/charl...
Tommy Murphy was a lifelong Sixers fan, fighting cancer in 1991. Weeks before he died, Charles Barkley gave him an unexpected visit.
The items Barkley signed and gave to his fan are everyday reminders to his family of the former Sixers star's unexpected visit.
www.inquirer.com
Reposted by Alex Coffey
These locals once restored Pierre Robert’s van, Minerva.

Now, they want it to serve as a tribute to the late DJ, by adding a portrait of Robert to the VW.

“He truly was the voice of Philadelphia. And how do you not paint something for that voice?” www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
These locals once restored Pierre Robert’s VW van, Minerva. Now, they want it to serve as a tribute to the late DJ.
In 2013, a local, family-owned company, with auto-body repair shops, and an artist partnered together to help rebuild Robert’s beloved Minerva. The van replicates who the longtime WMMR host was.
www.inquirer.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
From 1990-2000, Jack Hibbard was Phillies chaplain.

He was the son of a pastor, who'd never preached full-time before.

The job was full of colorful characters (esp. Macho Row).

“Some guys wanted to learn about Jesus. Some wanted to go 4-for-4 that day" www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
He’d never preached before. But in 1990, Jack Hibbard became the Phillies chaplain.
Jack Hibbard, a Burlington County native, was the club’s chaplain from 1990 to 2000. It was a dream job — one full of colorful moments, especially in 1993.
www.inquirer.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
“I didn’t know if Dykstra was going to yell at me, cuss at me."

“There may have been five of us during the season, and maybe 20 went to chapel during the World Series."

From 1990-2000, Jack Hibbard was the Phillies chaplain, working with Macho Row and more: www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
He’d never preached before. But in 1990, Jack Hibbard became the Phillies chaplain.
Jack Hibbard, a Burlington County native, was the club’s chaplain from 1990 to 2000. It was a dream job full of colorful moments, especially in 1993.
www.inquirer.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
“It was like Minerva was part of his life that had been missing. And I believe it restored a spirit in him that dated back to years ago.”

These locals fixed Pierre Robert's van, Minerva, in 2013.

Now, they'd like to turn it into a tribute to the late DJ: www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“It was like Minerva was part of his life that had been missing. And I believe it restored a spirit in him that dated back to years ago.”

These locals fixed Pierre Robert's van, Minerva, in 2013.

Now, they'd like to turn it into a tribute to the late DJ: www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“I didn’t know if Dykstra was going to yell at me, cuss at me."

“There may have been five of us during the season, and maybe 20 went to chapel during the World Series."

From 1990-2000, Jack Hibbard was the Phillies chaplain, working with Macho Row and more: www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
He’d never preached before. But in 1990, Jack Hibbard became the Phillies chaplain.
Jack Hibbard, a Burlington County native, was the club’s chaplain from 1990 to 2000. It was a dream job full of colorful moments, especially in 1993.
www.inquirer.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
From 1990-2000, Jack Hibbard was Phillies chaplain.

He was the son of a pastor, who'd never preached full-time before.

The job was full of colorful characters (esp. Macho Row).

“Some guys wanted to learn about Jesus. Some wanted to go 4-for-4 that day" www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
He’d never preached before. But in 1990, Jack Hibbard became the Phillies chaplain.
Jack Hibbard, a Burlington County native, was the club’s chaplain from 1990 to 2000. It was a dream job — one full of colorful moments, especially in 1993.
www.inquirer.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
In 2013, a local auto body shop and a local artist fixed Pierre Robert's van, Minerva, for free.

It was in bad shape and at risk of being impounded.

Now, they want to add a portrait of Robert to Minerva, to honor Philly's finest citizen.

"He is the city"

www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
These locals once restored Pierre Robert’s van, Minerva.

Now, they want it to serve as a tribute to the late DJ, by adding a portrait of Robert to the VW.

“He truly was the voice of Philadelphia. And how do you not paint something for that voice?” www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
These locals once restored Pierre Robert’s VW van, Minerva. Now, they want it to serve as a tribute to the late DJ.
In 2013, a local, family-owned company, with auto-body repair shops, and an artist partnered together to help rebuild Robert’s beloved Minerva. The van replicates who the longtime WMMR host was.
www.inquirer.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
In 2013, a local auto body shop and a local artist fixed Pierre Robert's van, Minerva, for free.

It was in bad shape and at risk of being impounded.

Now, they want to add a portrait of Robert to Minerva, to honor Philly's finest citizen.

"He is the city"

www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
No one has said it better:
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Bump
During the WS, Dave Hollins texted Gary Varsho.

"Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name. It makes my heart feel good."

"Daulton" in this case is Daulton Varsho, CF for Toronto.

He's named after Darren Daulton. Now, he's honoring him on the biggest stage: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...
Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
Gary Varsho met Daulton 30 years ago with the Phillies. “Dutch” made such an impact that he named his son after him. Now, the catcher’s namesake is playing on the game’s biggest stage.
www.inquirer.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:20 AM
In June, after Jordan Davis shouted her out, Ally Love started hearing from Philly-area Peloton riders.

“You’re a coach now."

“If the Eagles win, Ally gets a ring."

“They were like, ‘She’s the unofficial person that’s moving the season,'" Love said: www.inquirer.com/eagles/jorda...
Ally Love helped Jordan Davis lose weight on the Peloton. Now, she’s his biggest fan.
Love, an instructor with Peloton, is known to give her riders words of encouragement. Davis gravitated toward her approach, and it's helped lead to the best season of his career.
www.inquirer.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
“Dave Hollins, he would always go, ‘Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name.' He goes, ‘It makes my heart feel good.’”

Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with Gary Varsho's son, Daulton Varsho, who is roaming CF for the Blue Jays: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...
Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
Gary Varsho met Daulton 30 years ago with the Phillies. “Dutch” made such an impact that he named his son after him. Now, the catcher’s namesake is playing on the game’s biggest stage.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
When Jason Kelce started dating Kylie, Allison Stoutland worried things would go south.

So, she had a talk with Kylie.

“I felt it was my responsibility to tell her I was watching her, and that if she did anything wrong, I’d find her and I’d fuck her up." www.inquirer.com/eagles/a/all...
November 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
In June, Jordan Davis told reporters he'd been riding Peloton. He named Ally Love as his favorite instructor.

She started hearing from a lot of Philadelphia-area riders.

“You’re a coach now."

“If the Eagles win, Ally gets a ring."

Now, she's Davis's biggest fan: www.inquirer.com/eagles/jorda...
Ally Love helped Jordan Davis lose weight on the Peloton. Now, she’s his biggest fan.
Love, an instructor with Peloton, is known to give her riders words of encouragement. Davis gravitated toward her approach, and it's helped lead to the best season of his career.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“When she was doing those classes while she was pregnant, I was like, ‘Bro, I can’t, I can’t.' She’s still grinding it out.”

“She’s always cheerio, always happy. I’m like, this is the vibe I like.”

Jordan Davis has a favorite Peloton instructor: Ally Love: www.inquirer.com/eagles/jorda...
Ally Love helped Jordan Davis lose weight on the Peloton. Now, she’s his biggest fan.
Love, an instructor with Peloton, is known to give her riders words of encouragement. Davis gravitated toward her approach, and it's helped lead to the best season of his career.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:51 PM
In June, Jordan Davis told reporters he'd been riding Peloton. He named Ally Love as his favorite instructor.

She started hearing from a lot of Philadelphia-area riders.

“You’re a coach now."

“If the Eagles win, Ally gets a ring."

Now, she's Davis's biggest fan: www.inquirer.com/eagles/jorda...
Ally Love helped Jordan Davis lose weight on the Peloton. Now, she’s his biggest fan.
Love, an instructor with Peloton, is known to give her riders words of encouragement. Davis gravitated toward her approach, and it's helped lead to the best season of his career.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
During the WS, Dave Hollins texted Gary Varsho.

"Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name. It makes my heart feel good."

"Daulton" in this case is Daulton Varsho, CF for Toronto.

He's named after Darren Daulton. Now, he's honoring him on the biggest stage: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...
Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
Gary Varsho met Daulton 30 years ago with the Phillies. “Dutch” made such an impact that he named his son after him. Now, the catcher’s namesake is playing on the game’s biggest stage.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
Jeff Stoutland's wife is a kindergarten teacher. Moving around as coaches do, she was unable to teach much. So she moved into writing children's books. She speaks at schools, that sort of thing. But she is as much a coach as her husband. share.inquirer.com/5OkwFN
October 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“Dave Hollins, he would always go, ‘Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name.' He goes, ‘It makes my heart feel good.’”

Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with Gary Varsho's son, Daulton Varsho, who is roaming CF for the Blue Jays: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...
Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
Gary Varsho met Daulton 30 years ago with the Phillies. “Dutch” made such an impact that he named his son after him. Now, the catcher’s namesake is playing on the game’s biggest stage.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” Jeff said. “Everybody needs somebody. And she’s always there for those guys.”

@byalexcoffey.bsky.social introduced us to Allison Stoutland, the Mama Bear to @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social offensive line:
Meet Allison Stoutland, a children’s book author and ‘Mama Bear’ to the Eagles
She has been by her husband’s side for 33 years as his coaching career has taken him to an array of places. Now, the former teacher brings comfort to the Eagles — and some baked goods, too.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
During the WS, Dave Hollins texted Gary Varsho.

"Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name. It makes my heart feel good."

"Daulton" in this case is Daulton Varsho, CF for Toronto.

He's named after Darren Daulton. Now, he's honoring him on the biggest stage: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...
Darren Daulton’s legacy lives on in the World Series with the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
Gary Varsho met Daulton 30 years ago with the Phillies. “Dutch” made such an impact that he named his son after him. Now, the catcher’s namesake is playing on the game’s biggest stage.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Alex Coffey
She makes the Eagles O-Line homemade blankets every Christmas.

Jalen Hurts loves her red velvet cake and DeVonta Smith enjoys her cinnamon rolls.

She once told Kylie Kelce she'd "fuck her up" if she hurt Jason.

Meet Allison Stoutland, ‘Mama Bear’ to the Eagles: www.inquirer.com/eagles/a/all...
Meet Allison Stoutland, a children’s book author and ‘Mama Bear’ to the Eagles
She has been by her husband’s side for 33 years as his coaching career has taken him to an array of places. Now, the former teacher brings comfort to the Eagles — and some baked goods, too.
www.inquirer.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
“[Jalen] doesn’t ask for it often. But when he feels like being bad, he has a red velvet cake.

“I think DeVonta likes cinnamon rolls, but the last batch I made were dry. I’ll probably never hear from him again.”

Meet Allison Stoutland, 'Mama Bear' to the Eagles: www.inquirer.com/eagles/a/all...
October 30, 2025 at 2:18 AM