Awards Show, Part 1

The today that Cliff was here for was awesome.

by E. James Beale

The Year of our Lord 2009 is almost in the rearview, which gives us a perfect opportunity to look back on the year that was — the good, the bad, the bizarre. From Michael Vick to Cliff Lee, Allen Iverson to Dionte Christmas, we wanted to take a few moments and reflect on the stories and teams and players that shaped sports in Philadelphia over the last 12 months.

And what the hell, we'll break it down awards-style — the First-Ever (Possibly Annual, But Maybe Not) Sports Complex Awards — because the holidays have us feeling generous. So sit back, relax and remember with us.

Best Phillies Outfielder Who Emerged as a Star in 2009, Can Play Multiple Positions, Hit Across the Lineup and Is Now Underpaid (The Mike Arbuckle Award): Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino (tie)

Werth hit 36 home runs, stole 20 bags and was the Phils' best offensive player down the stretch. Victorino won his second Gold Glove, sparked the lineup when Jimmy wasn't hitting (often) and rocked a sweet doubled-eared helmet.

Ballsiest Backtalk (The T.O. Award): Jamie Moyer

This was one hell of an upset. Long regarded as the quintessential team leader whose clubhouse experience trumped his average on-field performance, Moyer threw all that away when he complained to reporters about his midseason reassignment to the bullpen. Big talk from an $8 million middle reliever.

After rampant speculation that the Phillies would land perennial Cy Young contender Halladay at the trade deadline, the Phils flipped the script and swiped Lee in the biggest rip-off trade since the Louisiana Purchase.

These things happen in threes, so once PedroMartinez signed, only a fool wouldn't have seen this one coming ...

Lee wins for his role in the Phillies' postseason run. Sure, he's gone tomorrow, but the today that Clifton Phifer Lee was here for was awesome.

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Now that the hometown team has established itself as a perennial powerhouse, some other team had to step up. The Mets, who despite their National League-leading payroll finished a morbid 22 games under .500, did so nicely. Seeing as their big counter to the Phils landing Roy Halladay appears to be Kelvim Escobar, they're the early favorites to repeat in 2010. Gotta love that team's direction.

In 2008, Lidge was the best closer in all of professional baseball. In 2009, he was an unreliable setup man.

This time last year, Hamels was the town's darling. Then, he spent 2009 unsuccessfully trying to adopt African children, driving minivans, carrying small dogs around in a backpack, hocking every possible product his agency could find for him and falling apart on the mound. Some consider his lowlight to be a postseason where he failed to pitch six innings once and carried an ERA over 7. We think it's that white-suited Two Liberty Place ad.

Heartbreakingest Departure, Sports Division (The Steve Carlton Award): Brian Dawkins
He should have retired as an Eagle.

Most Offensive Lineman (The Kyle Turley Award): Shawn Andrews

It would have been bad enough if the Phelpsian Big Man was simply banished from Eagles facilities despite medical clearance, but his blindsiding has actually continued in his departure. Two guys brought in essentially to comfort him — brother Stacy, who hasn't played much more than he has, and college roommate Jason Peters, who hasn't been the "best left tackle in football" that Andy Reid tabbed him — have both been disappointments.

Biggest Story (The ESPN Award): Michael Vick, of course

In 2009, the media coverage surrounding Vick's return trumped any and every event on the field ...

Biggest Non-Story (The Philadelphia Weekly Award): Vick, again

... including, of course, Vick's on-field antics. He's been OK, and done it to only mild fanfare.

Most Important Story (The City Paper Award): NFL Head Trauma

Finally, after years of crippled running backs and dead-too-young linemen, the NFL appears set to get serious about concussions. Let's hope it's not too late for former All-Pro tailback Brian Westbrook. Most Disappointing Overachievement (The Game Two of the NBA 2001 Finals Award): The 2008-09 Eagles

After sneaking into the playoffs with a little help from the Dallas Cowboys, last year's playoffs were supposed to be gravy. Then, the Birds faced a Cardinals team that they'd defeated by 28 in the regular season, and suddenly the little team that couldn't found yet another way to break our hearts.

Read part two of the First-Ever (Possibly Annual, But Maybe Not) Sports Complex Awards presentation next week. In the meantime, wish E. James Beale a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Happy Kwanzaa, a Glorious HumanLight and a Fabulous Festivus at e.james.beale@citypaper.net. Or just buy him something. He'd like that.