Sports in Chicago
posted 2009-03-01

If you love sports, Chicago is the place to be.

ESPN recently named Illinois the home of the “Mount Rushmore of Sports” confirming the already widely known fact of life. With 16 professional sports team, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a quick preview of the major teams.

Chicago Bulls
Sport: Basketball
Legendary Players: Michael Jordan: What else is there to say about Jordan, considered universally as the greatest basketball player of all time. I want to be like Mike!
Who to watch: Derrick Rose, leads all NBA rookies with 6.3 assists per game and is second with 16.9 points per game. Watch out for this up and coming superstar.
Crazy Fact: Benny the Bull, the team’s mascot, was once arrested for selling marijuana from his car.
Greatest Accomplishment: Considered the “Team of the nineties”, winning the championship in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995, 1996, 1997

Chicago Bears
Sport: Football
Legendary Players: Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Singletary, Mike Ditka, William (The Fridge) Perry, Red Grange.
Who to watch: Devin Hester, coming off an encouraging first season as a wide receiver this dreadlocked speedster looks to breakthrough in the 2009 season.
Crazy Fact: In the last five years the Chicago Bears have had an astounding eight starting quarterbacks.
Greatest Accomplishment: The 1985 Super Bowl (Chicago is still buzzing about it)

Chicago Cubs
Sport: Baseball
Legendary Players: Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg.
Who to watch: Milton Bradley. After hitting .313 last years with San Diego, Bradley looks to bring his consistency to the Cub’s outfield this season.
Crazy Fact: It’s been 101 years since the Cub’s have won the World Series, easily the longest draught in the history of sports.
Greatest Accomplishment: 1907 and 1908 World Series.

Chicago White Sox
Sport: Baseball
Legendary Players: Carlton Fisk
Who to watch: Alexi Ramirez. Coming off a great rookie season, this diminutive SS looks to have a great sophomore year.
Crazy Fact: In 1976 the Chicago White Sox tried using Bermuda shorts to combat the summer heat.
Greatest Accomplishment: 2005 World Series.

Chicago Blackhawks
Sport: Hockey
Legendary Players: Bobby Hull, Stan Mitika, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr
Who to watch: Patrick Kane. With a team leading 56 goals, this 20-year-old sensation looks to continue to light up the back of the goal.
Crazy Fact: The Blackhawks have not won a Stanley Cup since 1961, the longest drought in the NHL.
Greatest Accomplishment: 1960 Stanley Cup