Photos: The 109th annual Sports Writers Association Awards Dinner

The 109th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Awards Dinner, was held at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill on January 28, 2013. The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association was founded on May 12, 1904, and the first of what would become an annual Awards Dinner was held Feb. 15, 1905.

"It all began back on May 12, 1904 when a group of 43 writers got together in the Majestic Hotel, reportedly to talk about improving working conditions at the area sporting events. At some point in the session, one of the members raised a half-filled stein and suggested the writers hold a party to honor the top sports performers from the previous season. "'I'll drink to that,' a colleague shouted, and before long the idea developed into a plan. The sports writers of the Philadelphia area and their 'most loyal fans in the country' have been drinking together ever since." The night began with a cocktail party, before the guests moved into the banquet room where dinner was served and the awards were given out.

Two of Philadelphia's most popular athletes — Eagles offensive lineman Todd Herremans and former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene — were honored, as well as Cole and Heidi Hamels who were given the Humanitarian Award for their philanthropic work. Congratulations to the Hamels who became the proud parents to a bouncing baby girl on Christmas Eve. Daughter Reeve was adopted from Ethiopia and joins big brothers Caleb Michael Hamels and Braxton Grady Hamels to round out the Hamels growing brood.