The Inquirer's top sports stories of the year
Everyone does best-of lists this time of year. We at The Inquirer are no different. It's fun to look back, to remember the previous 12 months, to think, Gosh, that did happen in 2015, didn't it? Weird. Seems so long ago.
Mostly, though, this list is a chance to highlight some of the good work we did over the year. And yes, despite all Philly.com-commenter protestations to the contrary, we actually did do some good work. Honest.
So here it is. The stories and columns are in no particular order. Hope you enjoyed them then and enjoy them now:
Keith Pompey, on the biggest story of the year in Philadelphia sports and one of the biggest in the NBA: 76ers center Joel Embiid needed a second season-ending surgery on his right foot.
Bob Ford with a masterpiece on the unfinished ride of cyclist Tom Palermo.
A three-part narrative series on the incredible story of Phillies pitching prospect Jairo Munoz.
LeSean McCoy tells Jeff McLane that Chip Kelly doesn't respect star players.
Bob Brookover, on the year that New Jersey shook up the horse-racing world.
Mike Jensen, on former Temple president Peter Liacouras and his devotion to the university's football team.
Sam Carchidi, on why the Flyers could end up firing Craig Berube, and why they eventually did.
Zach Berman, on the rise and fall of former Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
Frank Fitzpatrick, on the hold Joe Paterno still has on State College.
On one of the strangest baseball games in history—Orioles-White Sox, with no fans—in the aftermath of the Baltimore riots.
Phil Anastasia, on a Camden basketball player who was in the car when his mom was killed by a stray bullet from an AK 47.
Jeff McLane, on the LeSean McCoy-Kiko Alonso trade.
Joe Juliano, on the puzzle that is Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
Frank Fitzpatrick, with a four-part series on the 1915 Phillies, the first team in franchise history to reach the World Series.
Mike Jensen, on Temple's historic victory over Penn State.
Frank Fitzpatrick, on Chuck Bednarik's death.
Jake Kaplan, on Phillies manager Pete Mackanin.
Zach Berman, on the excellence - and flatulence - of the Eagles' defensive line.
On Marvin Harrison, an unsolved murder, and the long reach of the neighborhood.
Joe Juliano, on Penn State star and West Chester native Carl Nassib.
Bob Brookover, on the change that defined the Phillies' season.
Keith Pompey, with a pair of huge news stories about Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor. First, Okafor had been cited for driving 108 mph over the Ben Franklin Bridge. Second, Okafor had been threatened at a nightclub by a man holding a gun.
Sam Carchidi, on the Flyers' outside-the-box decision to hire Dave Hakstol as head coach.
Jeff McLane goes deep on the evolution of Chip Kelly as a play-caller.
Matt Breen, with a moving piece on Phillies prospect Zach Elfin.
Mike Jensen, on the sudden retirement, and legacy, of Bo Ryan.
Bob Ford, on the well-lived life of Roman Catholic High School's gymnasium.
Marc Narducci, on Temple's terrific linebacker, Tyler Matakevich.
Matt Breen, on Phillies pitcher Alec Asher and his painful road to the majors.
Aaron Carter, with a look inside the recruitment of Imhotep Charter star running back Tyliek Raynor.
On Chuck Bednarik, Frank Gifford, and the story behind the most famous photo in football history.
Bob Ford with maybe the funniest column of the year, on the irrepressible Football Guy.
Rick O'Brien, on a Pennridge High School football player and his mother's fight against breast cancer.
Bob Brookover, on the death of Moses Malone.
Jonathan Tannenwald, on the United States' romp over Japan and a hat trick by Delran's Carli Lloyd in the Women's World Cup final.
Bob Ford, on Dean Smith.
Frank Fitzpatrick, on the cautionary tales that Temple should heed before it builds its football stadium.