The Best Athlete in Philadelphia Is.....

Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr.

People like to debate who the best sports team in Philadelphia is. Is it the 99 loss Phillies, because they won the last title? Is it the Eagles, who have went 20-12 the last two years, but haven't won a playoff game since 2008, or a championship since 1960? Is it the Sixers, who have been a bottom three team in the league the last couple years, but have lots of high pick talent? Is it the Flyers, who have missed two of the last three playoffs, but have some prolific goal-scorers?

Ugh, pick the Union.

Seriously though, as someone who likes all the teams, I am recently more intrigued by who the best athlete is on the "major four" teams in the city. It's a tough argument. Who is the face of the city? Here's my top ten:

1. Fletcher Cox- This defensive lineman will be good for years and years to come, and is dominant right now. This may not be the most exciting pick, but it's the right one.
2. Claude Giroux- The captain hasn't made the team great yet, but his stats don't lie. He is the face of the Flyers right now.
3. Jason Peters- A year ago, he was #1. This season, there has been some slippage. Still, he's got the best career resume in the city right now.
4. Jakub Voracek- In a city that is starved for All-Stars, he's pretty good.
5. Maikel Franco- The third baseman showed flashes of the greats a few years back that brought the city a title.
6. Jahlil Okafor- No, he hasn't played a game yet, and yes, I hated this pick on draft night. A lot has changed since then, and he's made a fan of me with his off-season performance and work.
7. Connor Barwin- The Eagles linebacker is not only really good, but he's a fan favorite.
8. Nerlens Noel- He should have been Rookie of the Year. You heard it here first.
9. Ken Giles- 100 Miles Giles is the best player on the Phillies currently, though he pitches just one inning a night (or so we hope).
10. Wayne Simmonds- He's not the best player on the Flyers, but he's certainly my pick as the best liked. He's also pretty good.

Honorable mention goes to the (falling) DeMarco Murray, Odubel Herrera (I feel a little Jimmy Rollins in him), Sam Bradford (I have to put the QB here, right?), and Aaron Nola.