(ESPN)
All right. It’s time for a rant. ESPN released a top five list of best Philadelphia athletes. Simple enough, right? Wrong! There were two separate lists, one composed by a normal thinking human being and another composed by am absolutely ridiculously minded person.
The first list was excellent. It listed Mike Schmidt, Wilt Chamberlain, Bobby Clarke, Julius Irving, and Chuck Bednarik. All of them excellent and worthy recipients of a top-five Philly athlete acknowledgment.
Now, onto the second list. The first four athletes listed were fine. Once again, you have Wilt Chamberlain and Bobby Clarke. In addition, joining Wilt and Clarke, are Philly legends Allen Iverson and Reggie White. The ultimate head scratcher and reason for this rant comes in at number five.
The Number 5 greatest Phialdelphia athletes is…
Mo’ne Davis
That’s right! Mo’ne Davis, from the Taney Dragons of Little League World Series fame is on this list as the fifth best athlete in Philadelphia history. Now, this is no knock on Davis. She has accomplished more than almost any 13-year-old could ever wish to do but she has no place on this list. Bernie Parent, Steve Carlton, Brian Dawkins and many others are much more deserving than a Little league pitcher who led their team to a third place finish.
Not only does Mo’ne Davis being on this not make sense but it is infuriating. The creator of this list has insulted the entire city of Philadelphia and it’s fans. This is a proud sports city and having a little league pitcher listed on a list of top five athletes is demeaning, not only to the city but to the athletes who have played here.
ESPN, and whoever wrote the list, should be embarrassed that this was shown on national TV. It is quite clear that whoever wrote this list has no idea the immense history of Philadelphia sports because if they did they would be as ashamed of this list as I am.
How do you feel about Mo’ne Davis being ranked number five on ESPN’s list of best Philadelphia athletes?
