Best of 2014

by Posted on

2014 is history. For Philadelphia sports, it’s been better. Here’s a quick recap of some highlights:

Best Sports Moment:
Jimmy Rollins breaking the hit record. Many sports fans come and go without ever getting to see their hometown team’s hit record broken. Jimmy has his critics, whatever. He’s the greatest Phillie since Mike Schmidt. Getting to see him break the record stands above the rest of 2014’s Philadelphia sports moments.

Best Comedy Release:
Bill Burr’s I’m Sorry You Feel That Way was released straight to Netflix and it’s an instant classic.  Burr’s observations and logic stand out from the pack. Louie’s good, but he’s not Burr.

Best Movie:
I saw the trailer for Calvary while seeing some other film at the Ritz and it looked interesting. Some dude rolls into a confessional in a small Irish town and tells the priest that he’s going to kill him at the end of the week. The priest, played brilliantly by Brendan Gleeson, tries to find out which resident has threatened him. It’s well written and worth a watch if you can stream it.

Best Local Band:
Got a chance to see a bunch of great acts this year. I loved the couple of shows I caught of TC Cole, both as a solo act and as the TC Cole Riot. I hear a new album might be recorded next year and he regularly plays around town. Keep an eye out for dates posted on his Facebook page HERE.

Best Philadelphia Addition:
Unfortunately, this was only a seasonal addition.  Spruce Street Harbor Park down on the Delaware at Penn’s Landing was a true local treasure. The beers were local and good, the food solid, but the atmosphere was it’s serious charm. The lounge chairs, the lights, DJ’s create a serious community gathering spot throughout the summer for all ages, races, etc. Can’t wait for it’s return.

SSHP

Best Album:
If you read this blog, you know I have to go with the Australian brother-sister folk/pop/blues duo Angus & Julia Stone. The 2014 self-titled release, produced by Rick Rubin, contains great songs from beginning to end.

Best New Beer:
Stone Brewing Company’s Stone IPA is one of my favorite beers. It’s a well-balanced, bold IPA, but 6.9% it can creep up with ya. I was stoked when I walked into a local pub and saw their list of new bottled beer contained Stone Go To IPA. This is a true gift to craft beer drinkers. At 4.5% it’s a beer you can throw back a few and still get up for work the next morning without any real regret.

Best Local Broadcasting Move:
Moving Chris Wheeler out of the Phillies Broadcast booth.

Worst Local Broadcasting Move:
Hiring Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs to replace Chris Wheeler.

That’s enough, you got partying to do. Enjoy your New Years Eve and Day! Happy New Year!

Be safe and be kind to one another!