Philadelphia pro teams unique in awards scene.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

PHILADELPHIA _ Philadelphians probably would prefer another year like 1980, when all four of the city's professional teams reached their leagues' championship rounds.

But, failing that, having four reigning Coach/Managers of the Year working here simultaneously is certainly a step up from the days of Jerry Williams, Vic Stasiuk, Frank Lucchesi and Poor Roy Rubin.

Now that the Phillies' Larry Bowa has been named the National League's best manager in 2001, joining the previously honored Andy Reid, Bill Barber and Larry Brown, Philadelphia enjoys a unique distinction.

A check of the major awards in each professional sport reveals this to be the first time any city has had four winners in one year. In fact, no other town has had even as many as three at the same time.

And while history has yet to assign places for Brown, Bowa, Barber and Reid among Philadelphia's coaching ranks, they _ at least for now _ seem a remarkably competent and secure bunch.

Competence, of course, can be debated. But, Connie Mack aside, security has not been a Philadelphia hallmark.

Managers and coaches of the Phillies, Flyers, Eagles and 76ers have survived an average of only 2.6 years. And though no one anywhere managed longer than Mack _ 50 years with the A's _ this is also the city in which the Phillies' Eddie Sawyer quit just one game ...