MCW's ROY award is a rarity among Philly athletes
Only a handful of Philadelphia pro athletes have been named rookie of the year in their respective sports.
THE SIXERS' Michael Carter-Williams was named the NBA's rookie of the year yesterday. As Philadelphians, we should celebrate such occasions, because they don't happen very often. It's not parade-worthy, but it's pretty close.
The Sixers have as many NBA championships as top rookies, and you can count the number of Phillies ROYs on one hand. The Flyers and Eagles have never had a No. 1 rookie.
MCW became only the second Sixer to win the award, joining Allen Iverson, who won the award in 1997.
The Flyers have been robbed on a couple of occasions. Bill Barber deserved the award in 1973, but was edged out by the Rangers' Steve Vickers. And in 1987, despite winning the Vezina as the top goalie, Ron Hextall finished second to Luc Robitaille.
The Phillies have won four awards, beginning with Jack Sanford in 1957. After Richie Allen (that's what he was called back then) won in 1964, it took 33 years to win another (Scott Rolen in 1997). Ryan Howard won it in 2005.
In 1971, Willie Montanez should have won it after hitting 30 homers with 99 RBI. But he lost out to the Braves' Earl Williams. That one still bothers me to this day!
So let's celebrate Michael Carter-Williams and his rare accomplishment - at least until Nerlens Noel wins it next year.
How about flushing?
A Brazilian soccer team was ordered to play its next two home games in an empty stadium after a man was fatally struck on the head by a toilet bowl thrown from the stands during fan violence last weekend.
A sports tribunal also suspended all fan groups of the second-division club Santa Cruz from attending matches anywhere in Brazil until the person who threw the toilet bowl is turned over to authorities.
OK, I'll ask the question: Where does one get a toilet bowl at a soccer match to throw?