Lets start in Pittsburgh. The Pirates stink, Sidney and Malkin had a incredible year, but ultimately fell short, and the Steelers were underwhelming. In the college rounds, Pitt was bust-worthy, and PSU couldn't seem to stop the mighty Trojans of USC. Besides all of those teams, the Sixers, Flyers, and Eagles were no good. The Phillies brought the only major title to the state. So in my mind that was where the SOTY would hail from. But who?
Charlie Manuel? Who's mother died during the World Series, but he continued to coach the Phils to a ring? Or is it Cole Hammels who had his coming out party during the playoffs and took home the MVP of the WS? But the award is for the Sportsman of the YEAR, not just October. Therefore I had to give the award to Jimmy Rollins.His stats may not be the best in the league (not even on his own team), but he was the hearts of the Philadelphia Phillies. His statement that the Phils were the team to beat ruffled some feathers, but his team pounced when the Mets went down not once, but two years in a row. You could say others had a better season, but no one got their team pumped up like J-Roll.
1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Daryll Clark
4. Charlie Manuel
5. Ryan Howard
6. Cole Hammels
7. Joe Paterno
