Welcome to 94WIP's G.O.A.T. of Broad Street, where we will finally determine who the greatest athlete in Philadelphia sports history is. Remember, in order to qualify, the athlete must have played in Philadelphia in the last 50 years (1970). Please cast your vote here to help us decide!
We may lack the volume of championships that some other cities accumulated during the last half century, but Philadelphia does not fall short in the great player category.
Which made narrowing this list down to the five best ever and crowning 94 WIP’s “The G.O.A.T. Of Broad Street” more challenging than the Schuylkill at 5PM. But a helluva lot more fun. Full disclosure, one of my five isn’t eligible according to our guidelines of no coaches. But you know me, a rebel and habitual line-stepper.
1.Mike Schmidt: He is arguably the best player ever in his sport at his position. That’s a mouthful. But it’s true. Schmidt was a brilliant two-way player. His 548 home runs in the pre-steroid era speaks for itself. He was also a virtuoso at third baseman. No one was or has been better at the bare hand/throw on a bunt or slow-roller down to third than Schmidt. Three MVP’s, twelve all-star games, ten gold gloves, six silver sluggers, I could go on and on. Most importantly in 1980 he brought the Phillies their first World Series title in team history (they were founded in 1883, BTW, it had been a while). During that ‘80 campaign Schmidt shed the “unclutch” label with a monster homerun in Montreal to get the Phils to the postseason. He capped things off with a World Series MVP.
2. Reggie White: His peaceful nickname (The Minister of Defense) and nature belied a ferociousness on the field. It could be argued that White much like Schmidt, was the best to play his position. There is no debating his dominance. Reggie played for the Eagles from 1985-92. During that time he played 121 games and recorded 124 sacks. DOMINANCE. In the strike-shortened 1987 season, he notched 21 sacks in 12 games. He was not a one-trick pony. White was moved all over the defensive line and was as stout against the run as he was against the pass. Unfortunately he never won a Super Bowl as an Eagle and only won one playoff game. But he bears no responsibility for his teams and coaches shortcomings.
3. Julius Erving: The Doctor was the epitome of cool. The dude had songs written for him. Starred in a movie. He made playing above the rim an art form. If you didn’t see him play, do yourself a favor and carve out some time to sit down and watch his highlights. His ability to hang in the air and dunk in traffic is second to none. But Dr. J was not just style. He was a winner. He arrived in Philly for the 1976-77. The Sixers played in the NBA Championship four times in his first seven seasons. Culminating in the championship in 1983. He won an NBA MVP in 1981 (to go along with 3 in the ABA before his arrival), was all all-star all eleven seasons as a Sixer. Erving’s all-round game is vastly underrated. He was a very good rebounder and shot blocker. When he retired, Erving ranked in the top 5 in scoring (third), field goals made (third), field goals attempted (fifth) and steals (first). He was also a great teammate who always put the team above his individual success.
4. Bobby Clarke: Despite being born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Clarke personified “Philly Toughness”. He fell to the Flyers in the second round in the 1969 draft due to being a type 1 diabetic. Clarke was named the Rookie of the Year and by his second season he was an all-star. By 23 he was named the youngest captain in NHL history. In his fifth season, 1973-74, he led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup Championship only to follow that up with another championship the next season. All the more remarkable when you consider the Flyers were not founded until 1967. Clarke was a captain in every sense of the word, on and off the ice. Was also a great, great player. He won three Hart Trophies, a Selke Trophy, had three 100-point seasons, and twice led the NHL in assists. He was the heart and soul of the “Broad Street Bullies”.
5. Jay Wright: Cue the “Villanova is not in the city” crowd for this one. If you’re doing a “G.O.A.T. of Broad Street '' list, how can a coach whose team plays some of it’s games at Wells Fargo and has won two championships in his sport, not be included? The answer is, he can’t. Since returning to Nova, this time as the head man in 2001. Wright has only won two National Titles in three seasons, been to three Final Fours, made 14 NCAA tournaments appearances, 7 Big East Titles, and his teams have owned the Big Five. Wright, a Bucks County native, also gets it. While his predecessors, Rollie Massimino and Steve Lappas moved further and further away from trying to maintain the Big Five tradition, Wright has always preached Philadelphia basketball and proudly wears his Philly area roots on his sleeve. He is a lock Naismith Hall of Famer with many more years to coach if he so chooses.
