#40: Tommy McDonald
Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles (1957-1963)
- Member of 1960 NFL Championship team
- Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998)
- Five time Pro Bowler with the Eagles (1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962)
- Caught 287 passes for 5,499 yards and 66 touchdowns with the Eagles
- 2nd all time in Eagles history in touchdown receptions
As the last non-kicker in the NFL to play without a facemask, Tommy McDonald was as tough as they come, and he brought that attitude onto the field every single game he played with the Eagles. Drafted in the third round of the 1957 draft, McDonald started his career primarily as a kick and punt returner, but in his second season, he led the NFL in touchdown receptions, and he quickly became one of the best receivers in the NFL.
From 1959 through the 1962 season, McDonald reached a level that very few Philadelphia wide receivers have reached. Over those four seasons, he caught 46 touchdowns, leading the league once, and had two seasons of over 1,100 yards receiving. Oh, he also helped the Eagles win the 1960 NFL Championship over the Green Bay Packers, scoring the first touchdown of the game. After his four year peak, McDonald would play one more season with the Eagles, scoring eight more touchdowns and catching 41 passes for 731 yards. He finished his Eagles career as the all time leader in touchdown catches, and he remains second on that list to this day.
Following his time with the Eagles, McDonald bounced around the NFL, playing with four other teams in a five year period before retiring following the 1968 season. He was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, a long overdue recognition for a man who played well above his rather small size on the football field.
#39: Rick MacLeish
Center, Philadelphia Flyers (1971-1981, 1984)
- Won 1974 & 1975 Stanley Cups with the Flyers
- 328 goals, 369 assists, 697 points with the Flyers
- First Flyers player to score 50 goals in a single season
- 6th in Flyers history in goals, 5th in assists, 4th in points scored
On the road to becoming back to back Stanley Cup champions, the Flyers acquired many players that would help them reach their ultimate goal. One of the best players they found was Rick MacLeish, and while the price to get him was high, he was certainly worth the investment.
After being drafted by the Boston Bruins, MacLeish was traded to the Flyers in 1971 as part of a three way trade. In return for getting MacLeish, the Flyers had to surrender goalie Bernie Parent, who you will see later on this countdown. Though Parent would later return to Philadelphia, he was one of the most popular players on a young franchise, so the burden of filling that void feel largely on MacLeish. He did not disappoint. In his third season with the Flyers, he became the first Flyer to score 50 goals in a season, to go along with his 50 assists and 100 points, finishing second on the team to Bobby Clarke.
For the rest of his first run with the Flyers, MacLeish never scored less than 20 goals in a season, scoring under 30 goals just twice. MacLeish was also a major contributor to both of Philadelphia's Stanley Cup runs, leading the Flyers in scoring in the playoffs in both seasons. Following the 1980-81 season, MacLeish left the Flyers and joined the Hartford Whalers, only to rejoin the Flyers again two seasons later for a final, half season long run. At the end of the 2011-12 season, MacLeish is still 6th in Flyers history in goals scored, 5th in assists and 4th in total points, great marks for a player that was a core group of the two Stanley Cup championship teams that the Flyers have had.
#38: Mike Quick
Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles (1982-1990)
- Five time Pro Bowler (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
- Two time All Pro (1983, 1985)
- Tied an NFL record with a 99 yard touchdown catch
- Caught 363 passes for 6,464 yards and 61 touchdowns
Oh, what could have been if he had only been able to stay healthy. Mike Quick was a surprising first round pick in the 1982 NFL draft, but he wasted very little time making sure people knew who he was. In his second season, Quick was named to the NFL All Pro team and led the league with 1,409 receiving yards. A man known more for his broadcasting now than his skills on the field, Quick was one of the best receivers that the Eagles ever had.
Much like Tommy McDonald, Mike Quick had a peak that very few Philadelphia receivers have experienced. From that 1983 season through 1987, Quick was one of the best receivers in the NFL. In those five seasons, Quick caught 309 passes for 5,437 yards and 53 touchdowns. Three times in those five seasons he had over 1,000 yards and over ten touchdown catches. There was little Quick couldn't do as he helped the Eagles make the adjustment through the Marion Campbell years into the Buddy Ryan era.
Unfortunately, injuries began to take their toll on Quick. He only played a full 16 game season three times in his nine year career, and after the 1987 season, he only played in a total of 18 games over three years. Quick retired after the 1990 season with the fourth most receptions in Eagles history, as well as the third most receiving yards and the third most receiving touchdowns in team history. He was an excellent receiver, but you have to wonder how good he could have been, or if he and Cris Carter could have been the wide receiver combination that the Eagles needed to get to the Super Bowl in the late 1980s. Even still, Quick will always have a place in Eagles history.
#37: Randall Cunningham
Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles (1985-1995)
- Passed for 22,877 yards, 150 touchdowns with the Eagles
- Rushed for 4,482 yards with the Eagles
- Three time Pro Bowler with the Eagles (1988, 1989, 1990)
- Three time All Pro with the Eagles (1988, 1990, 1992)
- 3rd in Eagles history in passing yards, 5th in rushing yards
If there was a Mike Vick, a Cam Newton, or a Robert Griffin III before any of those guys even knew what a football was, Randall Cunningham was that player. A true double threat at the quarterback position in every sense of the word, Cunningham was the offense for the Philadelphia Eagles for most of the latter part of the 1980s.
After winning the starting quarterback job before the 1987 season, Cunningham took off and never looked back. He passed for 2,786 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season as a starter, and he rushed for over 500 yards with another five touchdowns on the ground. Over the next three seasons, there was no quarterback in the NFL that was as dangerous as Randall Cunningham. From 1988 through the 1990 season, Cunningham averaged 3,358 yards and 25 touchdowns, and he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, making one of the first true double threats at the quarterback position.
The Eagles were ready to take off going into the 1991 season, but a Bryce Paup hit in the first game of the season ended Cunningham's season. He rehabbed and came back for the 1992 season and looked like he never missed a game. His 19 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, and he guided the Eagles to their first playoff win since the 1980 NFC Championship when the Eagles beat the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome.
Injuries and coaching changes hurt the rest of Randall's career with the Eagles, but when he did leave Philadelphia, he did so with the second most passing yards and fourth most rushing yards in team history. He was also a winner, as he never had a losing season when he started more than half the games in a season in Philadelphia. In the end, Randall is one of the best quarterbacks in Eagles history, and he truly established the quarterback position as a dual threat with his amazing arm and legs.
#36: Bobby Jones
Small Forward, Philadelphia 76ers (1978-1986)
- Member of 1983 NBA Champions
- Named to six NBA All-Defensive First Teams (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1983)
- Averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 rebound, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game with the Sixers
Bobby Jones didn't always put up the best numbers as some of the other players on this list did, but his defensive skills were second to none during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. A lockdown defender coming off of the bench, Jones made his mark with solid play on both ends of the court while playing clean, a rarity in the NBA, especially in the 1980s.
When the Sixers traded for Jones following the 1977-78 season, they knew that they were picking up a solid player, but they couldn't have known that they were going to get one of the best defensive players in franchise history. In his first six years in Philadelphia, Jones was named to six NBA All-Defensive First Teams, won the first ever NBA Sixth Man of the Year award and helped the Sixers win the 1983 NBA Championship.
Even though Jones didn't always fill up the stat sheet, he was still a solid offensive player as well, averaging 10.7 points per game in Philadelphia while also pulling down 4.8 rebounds. While other players came and went from the Sixers, Jones was a constant through most of the 1980s, and the Sixers never missed the playoffs while he was wearing their uniform. The modern era fan might not know that much about Jones or appreciate him for what he did, but he was one of the best defensive players that the Sixers have ever had, and is more than deserving of his place on this list.
#35: Curt Schilling
Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies (1992-2000)
- 1993 NLCS MVP
- 101-78 record, 3.35 ERA, 1,554 strikeouts with the Phillies
- Named to three All Star teams with the Phillies (1997, 1998, 1999)
- 4th in Phillies history in strikeouts, 6th in wins
Before the bankruptcy and the bloody sock, there was Curt Schilling, pitching for the Phillies for almost nine full seasons. His first season with the Phillies in 1992 was excellent, and his 1993 season was good, but it was his showing in the 1993 NLCS and World Series that pushed him into the upper level of Phillies pitchers.
Even though Schilling didn't factor into a decision in the 1993 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, he pitched 16 innings in two starts while striking out 19 with a 1.69 ERA on his way to earning the LCS MVP. His best showing of the playoffs came in Game 5 of the World Series, when he pitched a five hit shutout to push the series to a sixth game. Following a trio of down seasons, Schilling reached his prime with the Phillies in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In both years, Schilling recorded 300 or more strikeouts to lead baseball and won 15 or more games. The 1999 season saw him fall below the 300 strikeout mark, but he did still win 15 games for a team that won just 77 for the entire season.
Following the 1999 season, Schilling expressed his desire to leave the Phillies, and Ed Wade made it happen, trading Schilling to Arizona in one of the worst deals in Phillies history. Schilling would go on to win World Series with the Diamondbacks and Red Sox, but he never spent as much time or won as many games with any other team than he did with the Phillies. When he left Philadelphia, he did so ranked 4th all time in strikeouts and 6th all time in wins, and was the best starting pitcher between Steve Carlton and another pitcher coming up very shortly on this list. Love him or hate him, Curt Schilling was a very talented pitcher and a ray of light on some very bad Phillies teams.
#34: Brian Westbrook
Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles (2002-2009)
- Two time Pro Bowler with the Eagles (2004, 2007)
- Two time All Pro with the Eagles (2003, 2007)
- Rushed for 5,995 yards and 37 touchdowns, caught 426 passes for 3,790 yards and 29 touchdowns with the Eagles
- Led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage in 2007 (2,104)
As the best pick of Andy Reid's best draft, Brian Westbrook had little expected of him coming into the NFL, but he knew what kind of talent he had. The third round pick from Villanova saw little playing time his rookie season, but established himself as a solid kick and punt returner in his second season. His punt return for a touchdown against the Giants early in the 2003 season is largely credited with saving the season for the Eagles and helping them reach a third consecutive NFC Championship.
Westbrook earned the starting job at running back coming into the 2004 season and established himself as a double threat out of the backfield. His 812 rushing yards and three touchdowns were ok, but his 73 catches for 703 yards and six touchdowns were what gave Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb their West Coast style running back for their offense and helped the Eagles get over the hump and reach Super Bowl XXXIX.
Injuries slowed Westbrook and the Eagles down in 2005, but the 2006 and 2007 seasons saw him reach the upper echelon of NFL running backs. He finished in the top ten in the NFL in rushing yards in both seasons, breaking the 1,000 yard mark for the first time and led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage during the 2007 season. After those two seasons, injuries once again reared their ugly head, slowing Westbrook and costing him part of the 2008 season and half of the 2009 season. Westbrook finished his career as a member of the San Francisco 49ers before retiring as an Eagle during training camp in 2012.
You would be hard pressed to find many teams that have enjoyed a running back like Brian Westbrook during their history. He was never the strongest back, nor was he the quickest back, but he was, at times, the best running back in the NFL. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield made him a perfect addition to the offense in Philadelphia and gave him a chance to become one of the best players in team history.
#33: Ron Jaworski
Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles (1977-1986)
- Played in Super Bowl XV
- 2nd all time in Eagles history in passing yards (26,963), passing touchdowns (175) and wins (69)
- Named to 1980 Pro Bowl
After Norm Van Brocklin retired following the 1960 NFL Championship, there were few quarterbacks that played for the Eagles that were worth mentioning for almost two decades. After years of searching, the Eagles found their man, and traded former All Pro tight end Charlie Young to the Los Angeles Rams for Ron Jaworski, a rarely used quarterback who was sitting behind Pat Haden. Jaworski arrived in Philadelphia as part of Dick Vermeil's rebuilding process and took to the young coach's system very easily.
In each of his first four seasons in Philadelphia, Jaworski and the Eagles improved. His best season came in 1980, when he passed for 3,529 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Eagles had their best season since 1960 as they reached Super Bowl XV. However, the Super Bowl did not have the ending that Jaworski and the Eagles wanted it to have, and neither would reach the heights of the 1980 season while Jaworski was in Philadelphia.
Following the Super Bowl season of 1980, the Eagles began a slow slip downhill, but Jaworski continued to put up solid numbers. Near the end of his time in Philadelphia, the Eagles drafted Randall Cunningham, and the young, dynamic quarterback ended up succeeding Jaworski for the starting quarterback spot.
When Jaws left Philadelphia following the 1986 season, he was the franchise leader in passing yards, touchdowns and wins. Though all of those numbers have been surpassed now, it is safe to say that the Eagles made a wise move in trading for him back in 1977.
#32: Cole Hamels
Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies (2006-Present)
- 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP
- Member of 2008 World Series champions
- 91-60 record, 3.34 ERA, 1,307 strikeouts, six shutouts
- 6th in Phillies history in strikeouts
Say what you will about Ed Wade, but the man was largely responsible for building the great Phillies teams of the latter part of the 2000s. Some of the best players that came through the Phillies farm system were drafted in part to Ed Wade, and there are only a few players, and no pitcher, that has been better than Cole Hamels.
After spending a few seasons down in the minor leagues, Hamels made his major league debut the same day that I graduated college: May 12, 2006. Hamels pitched five innings of shutout baseball against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out seven while walking five. It wasn't perfect, and he didn't factor into the decision, but it was a good look into what he would become. After finishing his rookie season 9-8, Hamels broke into the national spotlight in 2007, going 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA in helping the Phillies reach the playoffs for the first time since the 1993 season. Though Hamels struggled in the NLDS against the Colorado Rockies, the seeds of a dominant playoff team had been sown.
The 2008 season was another solid one for Hamels, as he went 14-10 and a 3.09 ERA, but it was when he reached the playoffs that he established himself as a top pitcher in baseball. In five starts, Hamels went 4-0, striking out 30 and walking nine in leading the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980. His performance in the NLCS and the World Series earned him the MVP award in both series, and the only thing that seemed to stop him from winning a fifth game in as many starts was the rain delay that put a stop to Game 5 after the fifth inning.
Following a poor 2009 season, Hamels bounced back with a good 2010 season and then reached the next level in 2011 and 2012. His 2011 and 2012 seasons have seen him place in the top ten in the Cy Young voting and establish himself as the best pitcher on the Phillies. Considering the Phillies have had Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt on the team at the same time as Hamels, that is saying something right there. At this point, Hamels is just outside of the top ten in franchise history in wins, and is already sixth in strikeouts, with nowhere to go but up on both lists. His new contract keeps him in Philadelphia through the 2018 season, so fans still have a long time to enjoy one of the best pitchers the Phillies have ever had.
#31: Chase Utley
Second Base, Philadelphia Phillies (2003-Present)
- Member of 2008 World Series champions
- Five time All Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- Four time Silver Slugger winner (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- .288 batting average, 1,275 hits, 199 home runs, 739 RBI, 779 runs scored
When you start your career with a grand slam home run, it's hard to set expectations any higher, but that's what Chase Utley did against the Colorado Rockies back in 2003. Now, as he gets ready to start his 11th season with the Phillies, Chase Utley has become the best second baseman that the Phillies have ever had.
Even though he is from the opposite side of the country, Utley embodies everything that Philadelphia fans like about their athletes. He plays hard, never gives up and isn't afraid to drop an f-bomb or two when needed. His production at the plate has always been solid, with the 2005-2009 seasons being his peak so far.
In those seasons, Utley emerged as the best second baseman in baseball, scoring 90 or more runs while hitting .280 or higher with 20 or more home runs and 90 or more RBI in each season. Utley's peak also matches up almost perfectly with the Phillies run of National League East titles, so it can be safe to say that as Chase Utley goes, so do the Phillies.
Utley's defense has never taken center stage, but has been a part of one of Harry Kalas' best calls and one of the best plays in recent World Series history. It's been that never say die attitude that has started to cost Utley in the last few seasons. Like many others in this section of the list, injuries have taken their toll on Chase, cutting into his playing time and abilities. Even so, with the way that he has played up to this point, I have no problem saying that Chase Utley is the best second baseman that the Philadelphia Phillies have ever had.
That wraps up another ten on the list of Top 100 Philadelphia Athletes of All Time. On the next section, we head into the top 30. There are two more members of the 2008 Phillies, as well as the best wide receiver the Eagles have ever had, plus even more. You know you want to check it out.
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