Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia Sports History
The Greatest Philadelphia Sports Figures of All Time
Feb 22, 2009
Through online voting, ESPN has asked viewers to select their home state’s Mt. Rushmore of Sports. In this final story of a six part series, the Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia sports is unveiled. Each professional team in Philadelphia along with the Big Five has their own Mt. Rushmore. Now, all of the current and former players, executives, owners and broadcasters in Philadelphia sports history are analyzed to create the final Mt. Rushmore of Philadelphia sports.
Wilt Chamberlain (13)
This West Philadelphia basketball star was able to lead his team to greatness and put up elite personal statistics in his Hall of Fame career. Elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1978, Chamberlain, a two-time NBA champion, one with the 76ers, ranks fourth on the NBA all-time scoring list with 31,419 career points. During the 1961-1962 season, Chamberlain averaged 50.2 points and 25.7 rebounds per game. The four-time league MVP grabbed 23,924 rebounds throughout his career, which remains an NBA record. For his career, Chamberlain averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest.
Mike Schmidt (20)
Despite a tenuous relationship with Philadelphia fans, Mike Schmidt claims his spot on Mt. Rushmore as the most prolific hitter in the franchise’s history. Schmidt spent his entire 18-year career in Philadelphia and amassed record breaking power numbers. Schmidt went to the All Star Game 12 times, won three MVP awards and was ultimately elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995. Schmidt still holds the Phillies’ all-time home run record with 548 long balls. What set Schmidt apart from other power hitters is the fact that he also won 10 Gold Gloves while manning the hot corner at Veteran’s Stadium.
Steve Carlton (32)
As the greatest pitcher in Phillies’ history, “Lefty” is a clear choice to be on the Phillies’ Mt. Rushmore. In his 24 year career, Carlton amassed 329 wins and 4,136 strikeouts. Lefty won four Cy Young Awards and went to the All Star game 10 times throughout his career. Despite winning the World Series in 1980, Carlton’s most impressive stats came from 1972 when the Phillies were among the worst teams in baseball. Carlton won 27 games and maintained a 1.97 ERA on a team that finished 59-97. When the pressure was on, Carlton went 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA in World Series appearances for the Phillies.
Ed Snider
Without a brilliant leader and visionary, Philadelphia would not have likely been awarded one of the NHL’s expansion teams in 1966. Ed Snider, however, with his plan to build a great American sporting arena for his new hockey team and the 76ers, is the Father of the Flyers. Within nine years of his team’s creation, the Flyers won two Stanley Cups. In addition to his business savvy which brought hockey to Philadelphia, Snider has also given much back to the community through the creation of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation which gives children in need throughout the Philadelphia area the opportunity to play hockey.
Let the debates begin.
