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It’s only fitting that the player readers voted best all-time professional athlete is one who spent just that — all of his time — in Philly.
Mike Schmidt started and ended his 17-year baseball career with the Phillies. That loyalty is not ignored, and Schmidt once again knocked all competition out of the park in this year’s voting for the No. 1 spot in Philly sports fans’ hearts.
A 12-time All-Star and current resident of Cooperstown, N.Y.’s Baseball Hall of Fame, Schmidt anchored the Phillies’ offense and defense, winning 10 Gold Gloves and three National League MVP awards. To this day, he is considered among the best third basemen ever to play the game.
These days, Schmidt spends his time hosting fishing tournaments and marketing his brand of wine, both of which raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Philadelphia fans will never forget him, and no Phillies player will ever again wear his retired No. 20 uniform. It may be just as long before another athlete takes his top spot in the Readers’ Choice awards.
The Flyers’ Bobby Clarke skated to second while Charles Barkley, Joe Frazier and Chase Utley competed for third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Birra: New restaurant
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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