MIKE Sports Comic Books

FREE Series Sports Icons

©2015 New Vision Entertainment www.theemike.com Introduction

Since the Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776, the City of Brotherly Love has nurtured a rich and diverse heritage.

The home town of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall has also become synonymous with the birthplace of Chubby Checker’s twist and Pat Olivieri’s world famous cheese steaks.

Plus, other noteworthy Philadelphia foods have garnered national attention like Tastykakes, Italian hoagies and soft pretzels.

Legendary flag maker Betsy Ross’ name still stands as the city’s most historically celebrated. But, like the Founding Fathers who signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia, Ross’ name is now mentioned in the same breath as other famous Philadelphians.

Dick Clark, W.C. Fields, Frankie Avalon, Will Smith, Grace Kelly, Pink, Boyz II Men, Tina Fey, Bradley Cooper and Richard Gere have all risen from Philly roots to international entertainment stardom.

Sports heroes have also afforded Philadelphia a rich heritage that rivals the celebrated of other great American cities. In Philadelphia Sports Icons, I feature my favorite sports legends, beloved teams and cherished venues that have provided a common bond for this diverse, vibrant city.

The most dominating player in NBA history, whose very presence prompted universal rule changes in the game of , soars into the first chapter of this book.

Blitzing into the next chapter is the NFL’s late Minister of Defense; he’s probably the most admired and successful football player in history.

The Cathedral of College Basketball comes next. It’s hosted more NCAA basketball games than any other arena in the country.

A former chubby NBA Hall of Fame player turned broadcasting superstar commands a colorful chapter all his own.

This Philadelphia Sports Icons book also revisits the improbable run of the 1985 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions - the .

A mature boxer who evaded a life of crime follows next. I chronicle his flamboyant entry into the ring and his weight class domination even at a surprisingly advanced age.

With both front teeth missing, a diabetic quickly skates into the book as the city’s most beloved and decorated hockey player.

Next, a seriously chiseled third baseman steps up to the plate. This Hall of Fame slugger spent his entire career sporting a Phillies uniform.

Another amazing basketball player swoops into the book, too. He’s known for effortlessly flying above the hardwood where he operated so brilliantly with a basketball, instead of a surgeon’s scalpel, in his hand.

My #1 choice in Philadelphia Sports Icons also ranks as perhaps the most hated team in hockey history.

But, the two-time Stanley Cup champion can never be overlooked. The team embodied the toughness and brawn of this working class city situated between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. As a bonus, this book culminates with a chapter about the most famous fictional athlete of all-time. He’ll undoubtedly inspire you to run up a few flights of steps while pumping your arms in euphoria.

Enjoy my FREE sports comic book Philadelphia Sports Icons.

Feel free to share it with friends.

Write me at [email protected] if you think one of your favorite Philadelphia athletes or icons should have been included in this book.

So, grab a soft pretzel or order a cheese steak and start reading!

MIKE – thee talking head on sports! Table of Contents

Introduction

Why read Philadelphia Sports Icons?

Favorite #10: Wilt Chamberlain Favorite #9: Reggie White Favorite #8: The Favorite #7: Charles Barkley Favorite #6: Villanova 1985 NCAA Champs Favorite #5: Bernard Hopkins Favorite #4: Bobby Clarke Favorite #3: Mike Schmidt Favorite #2: Dr. J Favorite #1: Broad Street Bullies

Bonus Chapter on Rocky Balboa

FREE Bonus Books

Meet the MIKE Makers Why read this book?

Sports fans of all ages love my colorful stories, candid comments and creative content. My books are always entertaining and easy to read.

Plus, the unique sports comics that accompany each chapter cleverly capture the essence of the featured player, team, coach, play, sports expression, or in this case, Philadelphia Sports Icon.

As an added bonus, I always offer more FREE stuff in each of my sports comic books. See the back of this book for details.

In addition to the bonus chapter on Philadelphia’s most iconic fictional sports character, I offer a few FREE sports comic books for safe downloading.

Check out my author profile on Amazon.com, follow me on Twitter and fan me on Facebook. Straight talk. No static.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!

# 10 Philadelphia Sports Icon Few athletes so totally dominate a sport that their professional league must enact rule changes to make the games fair for the other 99.9% of the participants.

Wilton Norman Chamberlain, simply known as Wilt, so altered NBA games that the league instituted new rules. Today's wider lane in the NBA and goal tending penalties were imposed because of how easily Chamberlain vanquished all opposing players.

This incredibly athletic basketball phenom from Overbrook High School in center city Philadelphia is an easy slam dunk to start Philadelphia Sports Icons in the #10 spot.

Wilt overpowered basketball opponents whenever he stepped onto the hardwood. The 7'1" and 260 lb. player effortlessly prevailed over all smaller, less physically gifted competitors. His towering size, strength, scoring ability and stamina empowered him to become the greatest player the NBA ever witnessed when he entered the league in 1959.

Wilt unanimously earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1960 for posting remarkable league best numbers of 37 points and 27 rebounds per game. He continued his scoring assault on the NBA by leading the league in scoring for the next six consecutive years.

Also known as The Big Dipper, Wilt the Stilt and Goliath, Wilt reigned as an unstoppable force in the pivot - in spite of being regularly double and triple teamed during games.

This Philadelphia native and University of Kansas product now ranks as one of the NBA's top 50 players ever. A 1978 NBA Hall of Fame inductee, Wilt's gaudy NBA resume includes 13 All-Star selections, 4 Most Valuable Player awards, 11 rebounding titles and 2 NBA Championships. The first occurred in 1967 with the and the second in 1972 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wilt may best be remembered for becoming the only NBA player to score 100 points in a single game. On the memorable night of March 2, 1962 Wilt reached the century scoring mark against the New York Knicks in front of only 4,124 fans at the old Hershey Sports Arena. Ironically, the game was not televised. No video footage of that historic night was ever taken.

Wilt retired in 1973. His record included staggering NBA career statistics of 30.1 points per game, 22.7 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game. Oddly, his career FG% of 54.0 was higher than his FT% of 51.1.

Wilt also battled his career long nemesis Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. Many sports fans regard this as the greatest individual rivalry in all of team sports. Russell's Celtics bested Chamberlain's teams (Warriors, 76ers and Lakers) seven out of eight times they squared off against each other in the NBA Playoffs.

Wilt's incredible dominance as an NBA player prompted many NBA fans to root against this giant of a man. The fans treatment of him led Chamberlain to famously respond, "No one ever roots for Goliath!" Sadly, Wilt passed away in 1999.

Whether you were a fan of the Big Dipper or not, no one can argue that Wilt Chamberlain was a dominating Goliath as a basketball player.

We can all celebrate the single named legacy of this NBA superstar because there won’t be another one quite like Wilt.

He’s an easy choice at #10 in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE - thee ultimate talking head on sports! #9 Philadelphia Sports Icon During his storied 15-year career, the imposing defensive lineman known as the Minister of Defense delivered his football version of a fire and brimstone sermon by obliterating opposing offenses.

An ordained Evangelical pastor, my #9 selection in Philadelphia Sports Icons embodied his befitting Minister of Defense nickname.

Whenever Reggie White set foot on the football field, he constantly administered defensive pressure. And, when away from the gridiron, he tirelessly catered to the needs of inner-city youth and those less fortunate through his work as a Christian minister.

NFL.com rated White as the #7 NFL player of all-time, and ESPN Sports Nation named him the greatest player in Philadelphia Eagles history. His storied career validates their lofty choices.

White graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1984 after being named SEC Player of the Year during his senior season. The Minister of Defense then played two years in the now defunct USFL with the Memphis Showboats, earning the 1985 USFL Man of the Year Award.

After the USFL folded, Reggie White proceeded to the NFL and starred for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985 – 1992. His incredible, dominating defensive play quickly made him a fan favorite.

While in Philadelphia, this Minister of Defense proved why he personified his respected title. He was awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and led the league in sacks in both 1987 and 1988. Philadelphia fans loved him, and the franchise retired his #92 in 2006, the same year he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Following his eight years in Philadelphia, White played for the Green Bay Packers from 1993 – 1998 before retiring in 2000 after one season with the Carolina Panthers.

During his NFL career, this Minister of Defense played as if his bully pulpit was his unstoppable bull rush into the offensive backfield.

Plus, he reaped an earthly award by winning a 1997 Super Bowl XXXL title with the Green Bay Packers.

White ended his career as the NFL’s all-time sack leader with 198, a record subsequently broken by Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.

Sadly, the Minister of Defense answered to a heavenly calling when he passed away prematurely from a respiratory disease in 2004.

Reggie White is best memorialized by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, “Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will always be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people."

And all football fans, not just those in Philly, say, “Amen” when referencing my #9 pick in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #8 Philadelphia Sports Icon Perhaps Philadelphia’s most revered sports venue, the Palestra is appropriately called the Cathedral of College Basketball.

Recognized as the birthplace of college basketball, this hallowed arena opened its doors on the University of campus on January 1, 1927. On that seminal day, rivals the and the tipped off in what would become the first of thousands of games held in this building.

Named after an ancient Greek rectangular enclosure, the sparkling new facility was designed to house 8,722 spectators. However, more than 10,000 excited fans crammed into the Palestra to witness Penn beat Yale 26 – 15 on its opening day.

Since then, the Palestra has hosted more NCAA college basketball games than any other arena in the country.

Since 1955, the Palestra has also served as the home court for the round robin of Big 5 basketball games. Though not an official league or athletic conference, the Big 5 boasts five successful college basketball programs located within a 17 mile radius of center city Philadelphia.

Each year, the Big 5’s Penn, LaSalle, Temple, St. Joe’s and Villanova compete against each other in the city’s iconic Palestra.

No other metropolitan area in the country can make the college basketball claim to have five programs this good, this close to one another and also this willing to schedule games each season.

In 2007, an ESPN Classic documentary chronicled the Palestra’s enduring legacy by featuring its iconic building and its storied basketball tradition. In 2000, the Palestra enjoyed a welcome renovation and the addition of a Philadelphia college basketball museum.

The documentary highlighted the concourses surrounding center court of this beautiful brick building, with nearly a century of memories adorning the walls. Banners, trophies and even pictures of mascots cause die hard college hoops fans to marvel.

However, it’s the Palestra’s Hall of Fame that totally enraptures visitors. The glass enclosed photos and awards cases recognize Big 5 coaches and players as well as the city’s greatest high school player ever – Wilt Chamberlain - who hailed from center city’s Overbrook High which is just a short cab ride from the gym.

Worthy coaches such as Penn’s Chuck Daly, LaSalle’s Tom Gola, St. Joe’s Dr. Jack Ramsey, Temple’s John Chaney and 1985 NCAA National Championship coach of Villanova are also recognized.

The unique rapport of the Philadelphia college basketball coaching fraternity has long been admired. Traditionally, Big 5 coaches eagerly share game film on opponents whose schools were located outside Philadelphia. Ironically, or even admirably, this Big 5 coaching cabal would never offer coaching tips or game film on any of the Big 5 schools to rivals located outside of Philadelphia.

“Easy” Ed Pickney of Villanova, Jerome Allen of Penn, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant of LaSalle, Norman Black of St. Joe’s and Bill “The Owl Without a Vowel” Mlkvy of Temple are some of the best Big 5 players that laced ‘em up at the Palestra.

In addition to Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and Eugene Banks are other high school prodigies who never played college basketball at the Palestra. However, they were known to run up and down the pristine hardwood court during high school all-star and playoff games.

With seats so close to the floor, the Palestra lives up to its billing as one of the best places to watch a college basketball game.

And, the plaque that greets Palestra visitors once they enter its hallowed basketball halls reinforces the aura of the place.

It reads: “To win the game is great. To play the game is greater. But to love the game is the greatest of all.” I doubt few would argue.

That’s why the beloved Palestra ranks #8 in my FREE sports comic book Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #7 Philadelphia Sports Icon My #7 pick in Philadelphia Sports Icons broke the molds – and excelled - in the two totally different careers.

Charles Barkley was an unlikely candidate as both an athlete and sportscaster. In spite of not fitting the profile for either of his professional pursuits, he flourished on and off the basketball court.

Barkley’s incomparable sports resume has transformed him into an American cultural icon and worthy recipient of his regal basketball nickname, Sir Charles.

In his first career, the outspoken Alabama native catapulted to fame as a pudgy, irascible and undersized first round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984. Chubby Chuck excelled during his nine years in Philadelphia where he played on a star studded team that also featured Dr. J and Moses Malone.

In spite of never winning an NBA title, Barkley is still revered in Philadelphia. Fans loved his hard charging style as a player and now admire his unbridled tongue in the broadcast booth. The Philadelphia franchise retired Chuck’s #34 in 2001.

Charles Barkley was first known as “the fat guy who can play like the wind.” Barkley’s hefty build and shorter stature for a power forward defied conventional basketball wisdom. With a 14.6 RPG average during the 1986- 87 NBA season, this five-time, first team All-NBA star became the shortest player ever to lead the NBA in rebounding.

During the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, Barkley added two gold medals to his esteemed basketball resume while playing on the USA Dream Team. In addition, this 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player distinguished himself during his remarkable basketball career as one of only four players to ever total more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. That’s why he was a certain Hall of Fame inductee.

Barkley holds a second claim to royal fame.

Named one of the 50 greatest basketball players of all time, Barkley may now be more popular in the broadcasting booth than he ever was as an 11-time NBA All-Star with the Sixers, Suns and Rockets.

Barkley’s second career in sports has become as legendary and popular as his first. Ironically, his second career is what earned him my first choice in another of my books - Favorite Sportscasters.

Today, Charles Barkley is known as Sir Charles on TNT’s Inside the NBA television coverage. Since 2000, this sports broadcasting royal has cleverly and, often times, brazenly reported as a highly colorful sports commentator. He’s a frequent call-in guest on Philadelphia sports radio stations.

Sir Charles has broken the stereotype that only eloquent, highly articulate individuals can excel as respected studio analysts on a major sports network. A two-time Sports Emmy award winner, Charles is anything but “terr-ble” as a talking head on television. The former Round Mound of Rebound doesn’t need to play the game of basketball to throw his weight around in the court of public opinion while delivering princely pontification from the broadcast booth. This outspoken media personality has never been one to run or, in his case, trot away from controversy.

Named Sports Illustrated 2002 Personality of the Year, Sir Charles’ larger than life persona has enabled him to guest host Saturday Night Live, one of the most rarified slots in American television.

Sports fans, especially those in Philadelphia, can’t get enough of what Sir Charles has to say. No matter how unabashedly or irreverently he delivers his commentary, Barkley’s transparent voice speaks right from the heart.

That’s why this Hall of Fame hoopster turned sportscaster and charismatic critic, who started his first successful career in Philly, warrants the distinctive title of Sir Charles and the #7 spot in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #6 Philadelphia Sports Icon College basketball fans have called it the closest a team has ever come to playing a perfect game.

Others have named it the greatest upset victory in the history of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship Games.

I’ve chosen that epic 1985 Villanova Wildcats improbable 66 – 64 NCAA title game victory over the heavily favored as my #6 choice in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

The iconic win captivated college basketball fans. At Lexington, KY’s Rupp Arena, Villanova captured its first ever NCAA men’s tournament crown under its likeable chubby coach Rollie Massimino.

Seeded #8, Villanova remains the lowest ranked team to ever win an NCAA title. The team bested #9 seed , #7 seed UNC Tar Heels, #5 seed Memphis State Tigers and #2 seed Michigan Wolverines to advance to the Big Dance’s biggest party.

On that special Monday night on April 1, 1985, Villanova played brilliantly against the previous year’s defending champion and dominating #1 overall seed in the field. Led by legendary coach John Thompson II, the Georgetown Hoyas were odds on favorite to defeat the undersized and undermanned Wildcats.

Surprisingly, Massimino’s club was better and far more prepared than most pundits gave them credit. Villanova played a tenacious defense. Further, the team was battle tested by a very tough schedule in the nation’s best conference that year – the Big East.

With no shot clock in college basketball at the time, Villanova methodically shortened the game by stretching out each valuable possession. They played smart and shot spectacularly in a game that few people gave them a chance to win.

The Wildcats shot an amazing 79% from the field against a Patrick Ewing led Georgetown defense known for thwarting their opponents’ offensive success. In addition, Villanova was equally as proficient from the free throw line where the team converted on 22 of 28 attempts.

Villanova’s center, “Easy” , was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Not only did he outscore Patrick Ewing 16 – 14 in the title game, but he out rebounded the Hoyas center 6 -5.

Villanova was led by wing player Dwayne McCain’s 17 points. In addition, invaluable contributions were made by starters , Gary McLain and . Villanova’s starting five played most of the title game with little substitution.

Prior to this magical night, the Villanova Wildcats had enjoyed a storied NCAA college basketball history with Final Four appearances in 1939 and 1971. The Wildcats also boasted Elite Eight appearances in 1978, 1982 and 1983.

However, April 1, 1985 would be the underdog Wildcats team’s night of destiny. Three decades later, the seminal victory still makes the city of Philadelphia and alumni gush with pride.

That’s why the Villanova Wildcats, the 1985 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championship Team, is no upset surprise for the #6 spot in my sports comic book Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #5 Philadelphia Sports Icon A knock out for my #5 choice in Philadelphia Sports Icons, former light heavyweight boxing champion Bernard Hopkins has perfectly personified his Executioner nickname.

Entering the ring before fights, Hopkins and his management team have always dressed like angels of death in an effort to intimidate the boxer’s opponent. Over the years, they’ve wielded large axes and have worn scary masks, heavy capes and dark hoods.

The mere mention of this boxer, and his scary nickname, would make most people too fearful to shadow box against him. But, Philadelphia sports fans never feared their city’s favored boxing son.

Instead, they embraced him.

Though Hopkins’ fighting image may be chilling, his improbable personal path to success as a boxer, businessman and freed felon is simply remarkable. His amazing overcoming story has endeared himself to fellow Philadelphians.

Growing up in a rough North Philadelphia neighborhood, Hopkins survived a serious stab wound at age 13. By age 17, he had begun a young life of crime and found himself charged with armed robbery and stuck behind bars for 56 months. While serving his time at Graterford State Prison in Pennsylvania, Hopkins learned to box.

Upon his release, the 22 year-old Hopkins stepped into the ring for his first fight, which he lost. The Executioner didn’t lace up his gloves again for another 18 months. But, when he did, he proceeded to win 22 consecutive bouts and earn his first title fight against Roy Jones, Jr.

In his lengthy and storied boxing career, the 6’1” and 173 lb. Hopkins has squared off against some of the most famous names in the sport. Defeating the likes of Roy Jones, Jr., Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya, the Executioner has compiled an incredible 55 – 7 – 2 record with 32 knockouts as of this writing.

At age 46, this ageless wonder became the oldest prize fighter to claim a world title by beating Jean Pascal in Montreal in 2011 for the WBC Light Heavyweight crown.

Then, at age 49, Hopkins did it again. He unified the sport’s light heavyweight crowns by defeating Beibut Shumenov of Kazakhstan and remained the oldest fighter ever to win a championship belt.

Now, at age 50, after falling by unanimous decision to Sergey Kovalev in Atlantic City, NJ in December 2014, B-Hop is preparing for another challenge in the ring.

In spite of losing his belt to Kovalev, Hopkins remains a genuine hero to his fans in Philadelphia.

Life outside the ring has been extremely good to Hopkins. Few will disagree that his best win has been defeating the incredible odds stacked against him as a former crime prone teenager.

However, life inside the ring has not been good for most of Bernard Hopkins’ opponents. Their fates have nearly always been doomed when facing the Executioner - my #5 pick in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #4 Philadelphia Sports Icon This Stanley Cup Champion may have hailed from tiny Flin Flon, Manitoba. But, the gritty and talented hockey star will always be remembered as an adopted son of Philadelphia.

He checks his way into the #4 spot in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

Bobby Clarke personified old-school hockey. He played without a helmet and hit about as hard as any player who ever took the ice. The Flyer captain was easily recognizable by his wide, toothless smile, long curly blond hair and incredible skill.

The 17th pick of the 1969 NHL Draft, Clarke played his entire career for the Flyers franchise. Even after retiring, Clarke continued with the organization for many years first as General Manager and most recently as a Senior Vice President.

Bobby Clarke is still the Philadelphia franchise's greatest player ever, holding team records in total points and games played and appearing in eight NHL All-Star games.

As the Flyers captain, Clarke excelled during the 1970s. In both 1974 and 1975, he led the notorious Broad Street Bullies to back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships.

Known for winning face-offs and for relentlessly checking opponents, Clarke also teamed with Reggie Leach and Bill Barber to form one of the best lines in hockey history. The Flyers' LCB Line scored 141 goals in the 1975 - 1976 season and was instrumental in the Flyers' championship seasons the two previous years.

Clarke also distinguished himself individually. The NHL awarded him the Hart Trophy three times as the league's Most Valuable Player. This 1987 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee's greatest accomplishment may be the fact that he courageously played the rough and tumble sport for 15 years.

A diabetic, Clarke suffered several serious seizures early in his NHL career. He was also prone to exhaustion and infection. The NHL feared that it wouldn't be safe for him to play in the league.

But, #16 showed his resilience and proved the league wrong. Bobby Clarke strictly followed a diet to manage his diabetes and played brilliantly for a championship franchise during his lengthy NHL career.

That's why this fearless Philadelphia Flyer skates in at #4 in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #3 Philadelphia Sports Icon Voted in 1983 as the greatest player in franchise history, this slugger spent his entire 18 year career in a uniform.

More than 25 years after hanging up his cleats, Mike Schmidt, or Schmitty, still holds 12 individual offensive records as a Phillies player.

He’s an easy walk-off pick for my #3 spot in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

Whether with a bat at the plate or a glove at third base, Schmidt’s total body of work in Philadelphia was impressive.

A sure-handed third baseman, Schmidt won 10 National League Gold Glove Awards while protecting the hot corner on the lightning fast synthetic turf of Philadelphia’s old .

Schmitty also utilized his raw power as a sculpted 6’2” and 205 lb. slugger to win eight home run titles during his career. In spite of an unorthodox batting stance, Mike Schmidt finished 15th all-time in Major League history with 548 dingers.

Schmidt kept himself in such great shape that legendary teammate Pete Rose made the following comment in his authorized biography Pete Rose: A Biography by David M. Jordan. “To have his (Schmidt’s) body, I’d throw in mine and my wife’s and some cash, too!”

In addition to winning the National League MVP award in 1980, 1981 and 1986, the 12-time all-star retired with an enviable .267 batting average, 2,234 total hits and 1,595 RBI’s, 36th all-time.

Perhaps the highlights of Schmidt’s career were twofold: he hit four home runs in one game on April 17, 1976, and he won the MVP award while guiding the Phillies to the franchise’s first ever 1980 World Series title against the Kansas City Royals. It’s no surprise that baseball writers voted Mike Schmidt into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1995 on the first ballot with 96.52% of the total vote. That ranks as the 4th best all-time.

The Phillies formally retired his #20 in 1990. In addition, the franchise honored Schmidt by adding him to the team’s Wall of Fame in Citizen’s Bank Park and erecting his statue. It was fittingly placed just outside the stadium’s third base gate to the ballpark.

The Sporting News recognized Schmidt’s stellar career twice. The publication named him player of the decade in the 80’s. It also honored Schmidt as #28 on its list of top 100 greatest players ever and as the highest ranking third baseman on the esteemed list.

A rotator cuff injury derailed Schmidt’s career in 1989, but his memory continues to flourish in Philadelphia.

That’s why this Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman is an easy choice at #3 in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! #2 Philadelphia Sports Icon Mention the name of my#2 pick in Philadelphia Sports Icons and sports fans will immediately recognize this basketball legend because of the way he brilliantly operated on the basketball court.

Julius Erving, or Dr. J, revolutionized the game of basketball. Few will argue that he actually elevated the sport to a much higher level physically and metaphorically.

Erving’s amazing athleticism changed the NBA style of play from a below the rim pick and roll game to an entertaining aerial act above the basket.

Erving’s extraordinary, flashy play created a new basketball vocabulary. The game’s new lingo featured innovative terms that included “slam dunk,” “no look pass” and “cross over dribble.”

Julius Erving probably never sought a medical degree. He probably never read a hospital chart, held a scalpel correctly or performed surgery. But, this self-styled basketball doctor knew exactly how to operate on the basketball court.

A high school friend originally named him “Doctor” when Erving referred to his friend as “Professor.” The “Doctor” nickname turned into Dr. J and eventually stuck for the rest of his career.

Dr. J’s game on the hardwood brought a new level of excellence to the NBA. Julius’ style of play brought new life to the game of basketball in the same way great laboratory discoveries ushered new life into the medical profession.

Erving dissected opponents on the basketball court as easily as an experienced medical professional handles a scalpel. In addition to being named one of the 50 greatest basketball players of all time, the 6’7” and 210 lb. Dr. J was admired for his individual expression of talent on the court. Off the court, he became known as an unofficial ambassador and spokesman for the game of basketball.

Dr. J was especially beloved in Philadelphia were he played for 11 masterful seasons. While in Philly, the Doctor was named NBA MVP in 1981 and led the Sixers to a long awaited 1983 NBA title.

An 11-time NBA All Star during his Hall of Fame career, Erving retired in 1987. The Sixers retired his #6 shortly thereafter.

This Doctor may have never been a medical expert. But, as a basketball player and a cross cultural representative of the game, Dr. J knew how to operate as the consummate professional while on or away from the hardwood.

Sports fans from the City of Brotherly Love embrace him as one of the finest athletes in their town’s history.

That’s why Dr. J is a slam dunk at #2 in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! # 1 Philadelphia Sports Icon During the 1970’s, this bunch of bullies on skates battled rival NHL franchises. They played at the , located on Broad Street in Philadelphia, also known as the City of Brotherly Love.

The , or Broad Street Bullies, morphed from a struggling expansion team to the NHL’s most elite organization.

The Flyers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 and dominated the league’s Patrick Division during the same era.

The Flyers’ success divided NHL fans. Many hated their horrible antics and believed the team’s brutal play on the ice hurt the sport.

However, rabid Flyers fans fell head over skates in love with the Broad Street Bullies. They identified with the team’s tireless work ethic, scrappy play and outstanding success.

That’s why I’ve included the controversial Broad Street Bullies in the #1 spot in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

An HBO documentary portrayed the Flyers in this way, “The club became a fan favorite of other hard-hit cities and towns where blue- collar communities were taking an economic beating.”

The Flyers’ aggressive play was viewed by many as a positive fighting spirit in the face of tough times.

Foes of the Broad Street Bullies were also taking a physical beating on the ice. Led by Dave “Hammer” Schultz, who amassed 348 and 472 penalty minutes in consecutive years, and defenseman Andre “Moose” Dupont, the Flyers physically pummeled their opponents. The Flyers became the most feared franchise in the NHL. In 1976, the Soviet Red Army squad actually left the ice during a highly touted, but controversial 4 – 1 loss to the Flyers. They protested Philadelphia’s needless hits and excessive force.

The Broad Street Bullies are best, but dubiously, remembered for their cross-checking, slashing, punching, tripping and high-sticking. Rough play aside, the team boasted a roster of super-talented players under the leadership of Coach Freddie Shero.

The team roster featured Bobby Clarke, a three-time Hart trophy winner as the NHL MVP. He showed off his hockey skill as center on the league’s best line, along with wings Reggie Leach and Rick Barber.

In goal, Bernie Parent posted 47 wins in 1973-74, a record held for 33 years. He also won consecutive Conn Smythe Trophies as MVP of the 1974 and 1975 Stanley Cups.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ punishing style of play turned off many hockey fans. However, to hard-working, blue-collar fans in this City of Brotherly Love, the rough and tough Broad Street Bullies brought two Stanley Cup trophies and plenty of pride on the ice.

That’s why the Broad Street Bullies easily find the back of the net as my #1 choice in Philadelphia Sports Icons.

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! Bonus Chapter The ultimate underdog boxes his way into the Bonus Chapter in Philadelphia Sports Icons as the city’s favorite fictional son.

Unlike others on the list, he’s neither a real athlete nor an actual person. Instead, the Italian Stallion is a nickname for a fictional fighter who ranks among most sports fans’ favorite movie characters.

Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone played the struggling, uneducated boxer Rocky Balboa in a series of feel good Rocky movies that began in 1976. In these movies, Balboa adopted the Italian Stallion nickname to glamorize his less-than-glamorous boxing career.

Stallone’s original Rocky movie became an overnight sensation. The Italian Stallion emerged as an American pop culture icon with an entire country suddenly in his corner. The movie’s improbable story line featured an average, unpolished club fighter getting a one-in-a-million shot to fight for the World Heavyweight title. The flick enraptured the American public and had them cheering on Balboa’s boxing success.

The Rocky films catapulted Stallone to international stardom.

Stallone’s Rocky I movie was written by the actor and produced on a meager $1 million budget. The movie yielded a staggering $225 million at the box office and won five Academy Awards. Americans fell in love with the Italian Stallion’s awkward social skills and barely understandable mumbling. By the late 1970s, Americans even adopted Rocky’s familiar “yo” into a popular expression.

Just as their beloved Rocky character performed in the movies, scores of Rocky movie fans would run up long flights of stairs, pumping their arms in the air when they reached the top.

Stallone’s Rocky character became a sensation. His every move or conversation in the Rocky series of movies captivated adoring fans.

Rocky fans could recite memorable movie lines like, “You gotta be a moron to wanna box,” or, “because I don’t sing or dance,” a line to which the Italian Stallion responded when asked why he fought.

Even the names of the boxer’s pet turtles, Cuff and Link, were instantly recognized and, no doubt, adopted by crazed fans.

For nearly 20 years, Stallone rode the success of his original Rocky movie and the enormous popularity of the Italian Stallion character by writing and starring in five Rocky sequels.

The Rocky movie series eventually matured from current sensation to classic cinema.

However, the endearing character of Rocky Balboa as the Italian Stallion will always remain one of the most beloved fictional sports figures ever - even if this ultimate underdog never really threw a punch in an actual boxing ring.

That’s why he playfully punches his way into the bonus chapter in Philadelphia Sports Icons. Yo!

MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! Thank you for downloading this FREE book.

I wish to extend my appreciation to these companies who have chosen to partner with us and make their products available to our readers.

NFL Shop

MLB Shop

NBA Store

NHL Shop

Fathead

Lids / Hat World

Sports Memorabilia

soccer.com

Champs

Amazon Hockey Monkey

If you have clicked on any of the highlighted links above or elsewhere in this book and purchased products from the sports related sites, then thank you because we earn a small commission from each sale. FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books

In addition to the MIKE Sports Comic Books available on Amazon.com, here is a bonus for MIKE sports comic book fans.

FREE sports comic books can be safely downloaded at no charge by clicking on the cover images of books on the following pages.

You will be directed to the www.theemike.com web site where you can safely download PDFs of the FREE books. Click on yellow cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on yellow cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Meet the MIKE Makers, Jim and Maura Sweeney, as well as the other contributors to this unique sports property. Jim Sweeney – Author

Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Jim grew up with a passion for sports and fun. He played baseball, basketball, soccer and street hockey as a kid. After graduating from the Lawrenceville School in NJ, Jim attended Boston College and started on the school’s basketball team for four years in a row.

Sweeney captained the Eagles from 1977 – 1980 and received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation’s top NCAA basketball player under six feet tall.

After a 20-year-career in sales, Jim closed the computer agency he founded to pursue a fun career in sports entertainment. Along with his wife Maura, Jim founded New Vision Entertainment, LLC with a desire to positively impact others through sports and entertainment.

Jim developed MIKE as an alter-ego sports personality and has penned 30+ books under the MIKE name for both kids as well as adults.

In addition, Jim has written dozens of audio monologues and hundreds of blogs through the voice of the MIKE character. The blogs can be read on www.theemike.com as well as other sports sites.

Now in his fifties and living in Florida, Jim continues to play basketball regularly – though more slowly now! The MIKE Maker is a World Masters & World Senior Olympics Basketball Champion as well as a nine time USA Masters Basketball Champion in the 45+, 50+ and 55+ age groups. http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdsweeney Maura Sweeney – Publisher

A three-time best selling publisher of Inky Winky Spider pre-school books, Maura is an author, Huffington Post contributor, video blogger and a founder of The State of Happiness Talk Radio Show in Florida.

Maura became the driving force in encouraging her husband out of a highly successful business and into the pursuit of his dream – to create MIKE into the sports world’s ultimate talking head.

Maura is MIKE’s co-creator and publisher.

For more on Maura – http://www.maura4u.com Alex Salsberg - Illustrator

Cartoonist Alex Salsberg is the man behind Poke Gravy Studios in Boston. An ardent New England Patriots fan, Alex has created animation and illustration for many clients including Nickelodeon and National Lampoon.

Alex has drawn the cover and most of the artwork in the book. His work can be seen at www.PokeGravy.com. Kaley Sweeney - Editor

As editor, Kaley infuses youthful enthusiasm and insight into the MIKE Sports Comic Book series.

At 22 years old, Kaley holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from and is pursuing her Master’s at .

Kaley works as Editor of the World Photo Organization On-line Magazine and is co-founder of Empowered Voices, a non-profit that raises awareness for women in developing countries. http://www.linkedin.com/in/kaleysweeney The MIKE sports property is expected to be seen and heard on television, the web, radio and Jumbotrons.

MIKE is a registered Trademark. MIKE and all the artwork in this book are the property of New Vision Entertainment, LLC.

Special thanks to these MIKE contributors:

Kevin Riley – Animator Greg Stauffer – Studio Production Dave Rittenhouse – Studio Production Amy O’Hara-Cusick – Legal