By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Among all the Hall of Famers, champions, dynasty-builders, MVPs, medalists, team leaders and legends with retired numbers who have been chosen the Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year, the only figure to be honored in consecutive years was Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh.
Not anymore. That lofty distinction now includes Sidney Crosby, whose list of honors and achievements -- considerable as it is, all before his 21st birthday -- just got longer because fans have chosen him for the second consecutive year.
The Sportswoman of the Year involves some select company as well. For the second time in three years, Pitt women's basketball coach Agnus Berenato is the Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year. She joins McKeesport's Swin Cash, who was honored last year and in 2002, as a two-time winner.
"It's a big honor," said Crosby, who is still rehabilitating an injured ankle that has kept him out of the lineup for more than a month. "It's something that's unique to Pittsburgh. The fans participate in the voting, and I can't say enough about the support we've been given. I can't say enough about how well I've been treated since I came here. I just always felt welcome."
Berenato was on the ballot with one of her players, Marcedes Walker, the team's first All-American in 16 years. Although she called the Dapper Dan the "most prestigious award in Pennsylvania and one of the most prestigious in the country," Berenato was as quick to parcel out credit.
"If I win, Marcedes wins. If she would've won, I would've won," Berenato said. "When you're involved in a team sport, no individual receives an award. When you win something and you're part of a team, you share it. This is a great honor that belongs to this team, this staff and this university. It's not me."
The time for being surprised at anything Crosby achieves has long passed, although it never stops being remarkable. He became the youngest player in any sport to win a scoring title last year when he led the Penguins to a remarkable turnaround and a return to the playoffs. He also won the Hart Trophy as most valuable player in the National Hockey League, which has embraced Crosby as the new face of a resuscitated sport.
Pittsburgh can be tough on its sports figures. But it also has a blue-collar legacy that embraces talent, hard work and humility, which are among the traits Crosby brought with him from his native Cole Harbour in Nova Scotia.
"We're fortunate that we have a lot of guys who take pride in working hard, who leave it all out there, to represent our city the best we can," said Crosby, who was tied for the NHL scoring lead when he went down with a high sprain to his right ankle Jan. 18.
Murtaugh, who skippered the Pirates to a pair of world championships in his various stints at the helm, was a three-time winner of the Dapper Dan. First honored in 1958, he was lauded in 1970 and again in 1971, when he shared the award with Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. In addition to Murtaugh, three-time winners include Clemente and Mario Lemieux, the Penguins owner and Crosby's landlord.
Those who have won the men's award twice include boxing champion Billy Conn; "Bullet" Bill Dudley, Bill Cowher and Jerome Bettis of the Steelers; Ralph Kiner, Dick Groat and Willie Stargell of the Pirates; and football coaches John Michelosen and Joe Paterno.
For the 2006-07 season, Berenato coached the Pitt women to 24 wins, the most in school history. The season also included the team's first berth in the NCAA tournament and its first tournament win.
"I've said it before. Our goal is to win the national championship," she said. "I think the people of Pittsburgh believe in us."
In the voting, Crosby finished ahead of Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon, Duquesne coach Ron Everhart and high school sensation Terrelle Pryor. Berenato out-polled Walker, Penn State volleyball star Christa Harmotto and the Pittsburgh Passion, which completed a perfect season by winning the championship of the National Women's Football Association.
Voting continues until March 1 for the best moment in Pittsburgh sports history, the best team and the best athlete. Each winner will receive a first-time award called "The Danny," and winners will be announced at the Dapper Dan Dinner and Sports Auction April 1 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Ballots can be cast at www.post-gazette.com/dapperdan.
The event will celebrate the city's 250th anniversary -- the Penguins have been wearing a "250" patch in this, their 41st season -- and the best in its sports history.
Tickets are $200 for premium seating, $150 for general seating and $100 for those under 18. Proceeds go the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania for the benefit of flag football, basketball, field hockey, golf and wrestling.
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazete.com.
First published on February 24, 2008 at 12:00 am
No comments:
Post a Comment