Philadelphians of 2008

This is the final installment of the 2008 CuseAdelphia Preview. We asked bloggers from around Philly to give their most influential members of the Philadelphia sporting community. I'd like to thank Inside the Iggles, Sixers 4 Guidos, A Citizen's Blog and The Sports Hernia for contributing to our list.

When I asked The Sports Hernia for his vote, he gave me this comical response,

"Yeah, I've been following the Sixers for years, albeit a mostly painful experience throughout. We'd be glad to take part in the Philly portion of this. Here's our blurb -- since we're a satire site it's obviously tongue-in-cheek, but I think it expresses our soft spot for Sixer basketball.

Since we were dead-on in 1989 when we said Kenny Payne would put the Sixers over the top and clearly in the zone in 1993 when we said Shawn Bradley would not only dominate the NBA, but the entire world, we'll play it safe again and say no one's impact on the Philly sports scene will be greater in 2008 than Herbert Hill's."

Sixers 4 Guidos told us he only truly follows 76ers Basketball. They said Ed Stefanski and Ed Snider would be the two most influential members of the 76ers franchise. He said this about the two:

These two guys (well, actually more the first one than the second, but the
second happens to be his boss!!) have the task to bring a stroried franchise
to the level it deserves, and I hope/think that they will do that in
2008..it's gonna be a decisive year for the team's future, in the next
summer. We'll see howthey will do that.

Philadelphia's Top 10: Five complete ballots were submitted for the Philadelphians of 2008. I tallied up all the votes with 10 points going to the first place, 9 nine to second, etc... Also each individual or group received two points for every ballot they appeared on.

10. Daniel Briere (16, on three ballots.) Briere signed a massive eight year 52 million dollar deal. He and Mike Richards are going to be the centerpiece of this team for almost a decade. After the worst season in Flyers history, Briere has been of several reasons this team stands around sixth in the conference.



9. Cole Hamels (19, on two ballots.) Hamels will anchor the Phillies pitching staff in 2008. Questions about his health and durability will once again plague Hamels in 2008. He has gone to the disabled list during his stay in the minors and majors numerous times. If Hamels can stay healthy, a 20 win, 250 strikeout season is not out of the question

8. Charlie Manuel (19, on two ballots.) Manuel will be in charge in managing what should be Philadelphia’s most successful team in 2008. He did a fine job platooning and sub players throughout games, with a deep bench again Manuel will have to do it again to get the most out of this explosive offense.

7. Ed Stefanski (20, on three ballots.) Sixers 4 Guidos said best above, he’s in charge in putting a storied franchise back together and into a contender.

6. Pat Gillick (23, on two ballots.) With the Phillies coming off their first division championship in 14 years, it will be Pat Gillick’s job to ensure this team has all the right pieces to do it again. He’s made several key off-season moves including signing Geoff Jenkins and trading for Brad Lidge. Look for Gillick to make a move for a 3B or a pitcher during the season.

5. Andy Reid (24, on three ballots.) The Eagles are the dominate team in town, so contributors to poll consistently put four different members of the Eagle’s organization towards the top with Reid being the fourth. Reid will prove to be a dominating force in Philadelphia in 2008. He’ll have to deal with his sons’ legal problems and the never ending list of issues involving the Eagles. Reid will have to take a long look at his career and life during the off-season to decide whether he wants to and can continue with the team.

4. Joe Banner (24, on two ballots.) Banner runs the most influential sports organization in Philadelphia as the chief operating officer and president of the Eagles. He’ll play a major role in key off-season decisions: keeping McNabb, Westbrook’s pay day, evaluations of the coaching staff, the draft, and what to do with aging players like Jon Runyan, Jevon Kearse, and Brian Dawkins.

3. Brian Westbrook (28, on three ballots.) Westbrook proved to be the key to the Eagles offense in 2007. When he played, he was a dynamic difference maker on every play. Against the Giants when he sat out, the Eagles offense was completely anemic. 2008 will be the year Westbrook gets paid big time. Another story line to follow will be whether Westbrook lives up to the pay day he will receive.

2. Donovan McNabb (47, on five ballots.) McNabb is the Eagles most well known player across the country despite Brian Westbrook’s phenomenal year. The Eagle’s decision to keep him or let him go in 2008 will be the biggest story in all of Philadelphia for the rest of the year. The sports world will be asking whether the decision the Eagles make was good or bad during mini-camp, training camp, and the regular season. If he can return to his 2006 form in 2008, the Eagles offense will be flyin’ high again and probably into the post-season.

1. Phillies Infield (53 points, appeared on five ballots.) I grouped Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard together because they appeared very high on every ballot. Together, they are an offensive unit that is unmatched. Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins are coming off back to back MVP seasons with Chase Utley an early favorite for 2008. Together they combined for 99 homeruns, 333 RBIs, 337 runs, a .298 batting average, and 112 doubles. If this trio can stay healthy in 2008, expect those numbers to dramatically increase. They will be the nucleus of the Phillies for years, but also be the focal point during their defense of the N.L. East title.

Others considered:
Andre Igoudala (11), Flyers GM Paul Holmgren (10), WIP Radio Personalities (10), Jamie Moyer (6), Mike Richards (6), Brian Dawkins (5), Brett Myers (5), Delaware QB Joe Flacco (4), Marty Biron (3)