Cliff_lee_back

This is our second annual "Top Ten Philly Sports Moments of the year."  You can find last year's list here.  We will roll out a new moment each day (one over the weekend) from now until New Year's Eve.

This doesn't happen.  Players don't thumb their noses at $150 million and the New York Yankees. Teams don't have four aces on their staff- except the Phillies, of course.  

This stuff happens only in Philadelphia.

This might go down as the most shocking signing in the history of baseball.  

Last year, Cliff Lee was traded away so the Phillies could bring Roy Halladay to Philadelphia.  Most, including Ruben Amaro, assumed that it would be too difficult to sign Lee, as he would be looking for a large, likely 7-year contract this winter.

In 2010, Lee pitched himself into position to earn that contract and become one of the highest paid pitchers of all-time- all the while, making it known that he missed Philadelphia.  The Yankees and Rangers were the favorites to land him in the off-season, since surely the Phillies couldn't afford him.  Then, something funny happened.  Within the span of six hours on December 13th, the Phillies went from the "mystery team" in the sweepstakes to land his services, to his future employer.  Again.

Lee chose the Phillies over the Yankees, taking one year and about $20 million less over the course of his contract.  Amazing.

Who thought that, in the year dominated by Roy Halladay, it would again be Cliff Lee who commands our attention?  He might go down as one of the most beloved athletes in Philly history… and one of the most hated in New York.

Rest of the Top Ten here.  As always, leave your memories of this moment in the comments.