Summertime is upon us. Basketball season is a distant memory. But today bears special significance in the history of the Chicago Bulls. Read on for more...
At the end of the 1983-84 NBA Season, the Chicago Bulls found themselves looking up from the cellar of the Eastern Conference with 55 losses, and the 2nd worst record in the Conference. The team officials make the trek to Madison Square Garden on June 19, 1984 with the third overall pick, hoping to make something of it and put themselves in a position to once again be competitive. What they got with that #3 pick not only turned their fortunes around, it wound up changing the game of basketball forever. The Houston Rockets kicked off the draft with the 1st overall pick, then it was the Portland Trailblazers who were up to bat. Portland ended up making one of the most infamous decisions in draft history when they selected Sam Bowie with the #2 pick-bypassing UNC standout and NCAA Champion Michael Jordan. Next pick: Chicago Bulls.
With the #3 pick, they didn't make the same mistake as Portland did. They drafted Jordan. The rest is History. Jordan's career records and accomplishments speak for themselves. The Jordan-led Bulls dominated the 1990s with 6 championships, coming in 2 separate 3-peats, making them one of only 3 teams to ever accomplish the feat, as well as the most recent team to do so(and even finding time to hang with Walter Payton[twice] and Andre Dawson. Although he made a brief stop with the White Sox, and even got a hit at Wrigley Field, he is remembered the world over for his contributions as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
In one more fascinating postscript, Jordan was not the only athlete drafted by the Bulls on that day. With the 208th pick, they selected Carl Lewis. Yes, that Carl Lewis. The one who in just over a month's time would go on to win 4 Gold Medals in Los Angeles at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Lewis had never played a single game of basketball in High School or College. The Bulls management drafted him because he was simply the "best athlete available". Needless to say, Lewis never played a single minute with the Chicago Bulls.
Showing posts with label Michael Jordan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Jordan. Show all posts
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
The Rivalry: Cubs/Sox Week Day 1
This week, the Cubs and the White Sox reconvene for their 18th Annual tilt of games. Here at Chicago 365, I've decided to take a look back at some of the memorable moments from those games.
Ever since the American League was founded in 1901, there had been a rivalry between the two leagues, with the AL openly poaching both players and fans from the more established National League. This rivalry extened to the teams themselves, including the Chicago Cubs and the new AL affiliate in town, the Chicago White Stockings. The tension started even before the White Stockings played their first game, as the owner of the Cubs had filed suit to prevent Charles Comiskey from even moving another team into the city. The courts let Comiskey move in the team, and the animosity had been stoked.
In 1906, both teams made the World Series(which was actually the first time that two teams from the same city played each other in the Fall Classic). The Cubs had won 116 games that year and were the odds on favorites. The White Stockings had won 93 games and were known as the Hitless Wonders. Regardless, the Cubs wound up losing the Series to the South Siders. For several years after the '06 Series, the two teams played a post-season series that served to provide bragging rights. By the '40s, that series was no longer played.
Then, in the late '80s, the idea was resurrected for the annual Crosstown Classic charity game. This wasn't too momentous, other than the fact that it led to Michael Jordan starting a game at Wrigley Field(this was when Jordan played in the White Sox farm system). Finally, in 1997 MLB organized regular season interleague play, and the two teams faced each other when it counted for the first time in 91 years. Since then, the White Sox have won the series 9 times, with the other 8 being either Cubs wins or ties. The series commences once again tonight, and who knows what kind of a show we're in store for.
Ever since the American League was founded in 1901, there had been a rivalry between the two leagues, with the AL openly poaching both players and fans from the more established National League. This rivalry extened to the teams themselves, including the Chicago Cubs and the new AL affiliate in town, the Chicago White Stockings. The tension started even before the White Stockings played their first game, as the owner of the Cubs had filed suit to prevent Charles Comiskey from even moving another team into the city. The courts let Comiskey move in the team, and the animosity had been stoked.
In 1906, both teams made the World Series(which was actually the first time that two teams from the same city played each other in the Fall Classic). The Cubs had won 116 games that year and were the odds on favorites. The White Stockings had won 93 games and were known as the Hitless Wonders. Regardless, the Cubs wound up losing the Series to the South Siders. For several years after the '06 Series, the two teams played a post-season series that served to provide bragging rights. By the '40s, that series was no longer played.
Then, in the late '80s, the idea was resurrected for the annual Crosstown Classic charity game. This wasn't too momentous, other than the fact that it led to Michael Jordan starting a game at Wrigley Field(this was when Jordan played in the White Sox farm system). Finally, in 1997 MLB organized regular season interleague play, and the two teams faced each other when it counted for the first time in 91 years. Since then, the White Sox have won the series 9 times, with the other 8 being either Cubs wins or ties. The series commences once again tonight, and who knows what kind of a show we're in store for.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
The Introduction: Fight Song Week Day 5
Okay folks, let's be honest. It had to end this way. It was ALWAYS going to end this way. With the Chicago Bulls and an English bloke by the name of Alan Parsons...
In the final decade of the 20th Century, the city of Chicago had many things going for it. A new expansion to the Adler Planetarium, the transformation of Navy Pier from abandoned hulk to THE tourist trap of the Midwest, and the creation of the Museum Campus(just to name a few). But the ONE thing that put Chicago on the map in the 90s? Well that's easy. But rather than tell you, how about I just play you a video to introduce them much better than anyone else ever could.
That's right, 1990s Chicago was ruled by Michael Jordan & Co. This opening theme just served to enhance their mystique. The track used is called "Sirius". It was originally released by the British group The Alan Parsons Project way back in 1982. Later on in the 80s, the song was incorporated into the team's new intro music. The introduction came to define the Bulls dynasty like nothing else. The theme is still used to this day during player introductions(but lets be honest, it's nothing like it was in the 90s)
In the final decade of the 20th Century, the city of Chicago had many things going for it. A new expansion to the Adler Planetarium, the transformation of Navy Pier from abandoned hulk to THE tourist trap of the Midwest, and the creation of the Museum Campus(just to name a few). But the ONE thing that put Chicago on the map in the 90s? Well that's easy. But rather than tell you, how about I just play you a video to introduce them much better than anyone else ever could.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Day 318: The Day that the Stars Aligned
The year is 1988. The Chicago Cubs are 4 years removed from their first postseason appearance since 1945, the Cubs Convention has been going on for 4 years, later that year Wrigley Field will be under the lights for the first time ever, and Harry Caray is well on his way to becoming a local legend. The Chicago Bears are 2 years removed from their Super Bowl win, which has vaulted the entire team to knighthood, and practically made Ditka a saint. The Chicago Bulls have just started to make a splash with their new point guard Michael Jordan, but he will soon lead the team to the promised land six times over.hj
Anyway, in that year, the Chicago Times contacted local photographer Marc Hauser with a crazy plan. They wanted him to get a picture of Andre Dawson, Michael Jordan, AND Walter Payton all together in the same room. Now technically, this feat had already been accomplished partially when Jordan and Payton rolled up together at the 1987 Auto Show. But, the shot of the three of them would have to wait until then. And so in January of 1988, it happened. The three biggest names in Chicago at the time all came over to Hauser's studio. And they weren't the only ones either. Needless to say, the media caught wind of this and were converging on Hauser's studio in droves.
Once the shoot started, the tomfoolery began in earnest. Jordan and Payton were trading insults like it was going out of style, Payton was engaging in classically impish behavior(including running up behind Hauser and playing numerous pranks to throw him off focus), and Dawson was just kind of standing in the background out of the way. According to Hauser, "[Dawson] was kind of ignored. But they both were saying "You're the quiet guy, but you're as up there as we are." He was just as big as them." In general, the day was not soon forgotten. "It was just amazing energy in the room. Everybody in the room was in awe. They just couldn't believe that these three guys were standing right there. You know, all of these people are just regular human beings...but...they have a thing about them. There's an aura, I'm telling you...When Walter Payton is in the room, you know it."
Anyway, in that year, the Chicago Times contacted local photographer Marc Hauser with a crazy plan. They wanted him to get a picture of Andre Dawson, Michael Jordan, AND Walter Payton all together in the same room. Now technically, this feat had already been accomplished partially when Jordan and Payton rolled up together at the 1987 Auto Show. But, the shot of the three of them would have to wait until then. And so in January of 1988, it happened. The three biggest names in Chicago at the time all came over to Hauser's studio. And they weren't the only ones either. Needless to say, the media caught wind of this and were converging on Hauser's studio in droves.
Once the shoot started, the tomfoolery began in earnest. Jordan and Payton were trading insults like it was going out of style, Payton was engaging in classically impish behavior(including running up behind Hauser and playing numerous pranks to throw him off focus), and Dawson was just kind of standing in the background out of the way. According to Hauser, "[Dawson] was kind of ignored. But they both were saying "You're the quiet guy, but you're as up there as we are." He was just as big as them." In general, the day was not soon forgotten. "It was just amazing energy in the room. Everybody in the room was in awe. They just couldn't believe that these three guys were standing right there. You know, all of these people are just regular human beings...but...they have a thing about them. There's an aura, I'm telling you...When Walter Payton is in the room, you know it."
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Day 171: The Jordanic Dynasty-Championship Week Day 3
If there is one basketball team that UNQUESTIONABLY owned the NBA during the 1990s, the obvious answer to that category would be the Chicago Bulls. With 6 titles in 10 years, the Bulls were without a doubt the team to (try but fail to) beat during that period of time. But before you build a dynasty, you have to start with the first title, which the Bulls captured in triumphant fashion on June 12, 1991. The next day, the team made its way home, and the fans were there to greet them(against the official advice of the city, but since when did that count for anything?) On Friday the 14th, the team was treated to a championship parade. But much like as happened when the Blackhawks won it in 2010, there were a number of different things going on in the city that day, as the annual Philippine Independence Day parade was slated to step off on the same day, as well as the beginning of Blues Fest in Grant Park(which was the location of the rally). Needless to say, the Bulls stole all of the attention from the other events going on in the city that day.
The next year saw the bulls come back and win yet another title, one that was nothing short of inevitable. Needless to say, a parade was inevitable as well. In 1993, the Bulls were up for a 3-peat, and while the outside aspects of the team might have led some to believe that the dream ride was over(such as bickering, occasional acrimony amongst some of the team members, and some unexpected losses) the team ultimately persevered and delivered their 3rd championship. A few short months after that title, Michael Jordan's father was murdered. it was this, along with some other concerns that led him to retire from basketball on the eve of the '93-'94 season at the age of 30. The next two seasons, Jordan spent his "retirement" trying to make it in the sport of Baseball. He didn't do so well, and came back to the Bulls at the tail end of the '94-'95 season. The '95-96 season saw the Bulls stampede through the NBA with the best record EVER for a basketball team. The next season was another repeat, albeit one capitalized by Jordan powering through a hellish case of the flu to win one of the games in the Finals.
Then we get to '97-'98. All year it had been rumored that this was the last year for Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and even(gasp) Michael Jordan. At the end of it, the Bulls were NBA Champions for the 6th time, had pulled off the 2nd 3-peat, and were at the end of the road. At the victory rally in Grant Park(moved there because according to some conspiracy theorists the powers that be in the city didn't want the common folk milling about the Loop), Phil Jackson cryptically said that very same thing and confirmed the suspicions of fans everywhere. In the end, the Bulls dynasty came to a crashing end in 1998, and they have not won a title since. Who knows what the future might hold...
The next year saw the bulls come back and win yet another title, one that was nothing short of inevitable. Needless to say, a parade was inevitable as well. In 1993, the Bulls were up for a 3-peat, and while the outside aspects of the team might have led some to believe that the dream ride was over(such as bickering, occasional acrimony amongst some of the team members, and some unexpected losses) the team ultimately persevered and delivered their 3rd championship. A few short months after that title, Michael Jordan's father was murdered. it was this, along with some other concerns that led him to retire from basketball on the eve of the '93-'94 season at the age of 30. The next two seasons, Jordan spent his "retirement" trying to make it in the sport of Baseball. He didn't do so well, and came back to the Bulls at the tail end of the '94-'95 season. The '95-96 season saw the Bulls stampede through the NBA with the best record EVER for a basketball team. The next season was another repeat, albeit one capitalized by Jordan powering through a hellish case of the flu to win one of the games in the Finals.
Then we get to '97-'98. All year it had been rumored that this was the last year for Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and even(gasp) Michael Jordan. At the end of it, the Bulls were NBA Champions for the 6th time, had pulled off the 2nd 3-peat, and were at the end of the road. At the victory rally in Grant Park(moved there because according to some conspiracy theorists the powers that be in the city didn't want the common folk milling about the Loop), Phil Jackson cryptically said that very same thing and confirmed the suspicions of fans everywhere. In the end, the Bulls dynasty came to a crashing end in 1998, and they have not won a title since. Who knows what the future might hold...
Monday, February 18, 2013
Day 49: Ladies and Gentlemen, start your Auto Show!
Most Chicagoans know some of the big events that go on in the city every year. One of those events is the annual Auto Show. The show has actually been going on since 1901. In that year, the first ever show was held in the Chicago Coliseum, which had been rebuilt from the exterior of a Civil War Prison that had been moved to the city for the 1893 World's Fair. Over the years, the Coliseum got to be more and more cramped, until it got to the point where some of the shows exhibits had to be shown in another hall.
As a result of this, the show was moved to the newly constructed International Amphitheatre in time for the 1935 show. Another staple of the show during this period of time was the annual revue. Twice a day, they would have dancers out there giving a show. Everything was going great, but then came the onset of World War II. After the 1941 show(which was actually held at the end of 1940), the Auto Show was suspended for the duration of the War, and in fact all the way through to 1950. The show made a triumphant return in 1950, and was actually the first auto show in the country after the war. Also at the 1950 show, plans were unveiled for the construction of the Congress superhighway, otherwise known as I-290(or for those of us who know the lingo, the Eisenhower Expressway).
The show would spend the next 10 years at the International Amphitheatre, until spacial constraints once again became an issue. In a display of good timing, the city had just unveiled it's new lakefront convention center in November of 1960. As a consequence, the Auto Show was once again moved to the newly opened McCormick Place(replete with 300,000 square feet of starting with the 1961 edition. One of these firsts came in 1965, when Nissan sold its first car in Chicago right there at the Auto Show. Unfortunately, the McCormick Place was destroyed by a calamitous fire in 1967, on the eve of that year's show. Since the show could not be held in a charred ruin, the show made a hurried return to the International Amphitheatre, where it would remain through 1970. The next year, the show returned to the newly rebuilt McCormick Place, where it remains to this day.
Moving forward into the 80s, the show pretty much remained the same, except for that one time in 1987 when Walter Payton and Michael Jordan dropped in to say hi. This past year, the show commemorated yet another outing in the city, and it also showed that everything is new again by having a revue. Not the same idea from before, but this time is was a preview performance for I Love Lucy the musical. All of this just goes to show that the Auto Show has had a rich legacy over the past 100+ years, and I can't wait to see what it has next.
As a result of this, the show was moved to the newly constructed International Amphitheatre in time for the 1935 show. Another staple of the show during this period of time was the annual revue. Twice a day, they would have dancers out there giving a show. Everything was going great, but then came the onset of World War II. After the 1941 show(which was actually held at the end of 1940), the Auto Show was suspended for the duration of the War, and in fact all the way through to 1950. The show made a triumphant return in 1950, and was actually the first auto show in the country after the war. Also at the 1950 show, plans were unveiled for the construction of the Congress superhighway, otherwise known as I-290(or for those of us who know the lingo, the Eisenhower Expressway).
The show would spend the next 10 years at the International Amphitheatre, until spacial constraints once again became an issue. In a display of good timing, the city had just unveiled it's new lakefront convention center in November of 1960. As a consequence, the Auto Show was once again moved to the newly opened McCormick Place(replete with 300,000 square feet of starting with the 1961 edition. One of these firsts came in 1965, when Nissan sold its first car in Chicago right there at the Auto Show. Unfortunately, the McCormick Place was destroyed by a calamitous fire in 1967, on the eve of that year's show. Since the show could not be held in a charred ruin, the show made a hurried return to the International Amphitheatre, where it would remain through 1970. The next year, the show returned to the newly rebuilt McCormick Place, where it remains to this day.
Moving forward into the 80s, the show pretty much remained the same, except for that one time in 1987 when Walter Payton and Michael Jordan dropped in to say hi. This past year, the show commemorated yet another outing in the city, and it also showed that everything is new again by having a revue. Not the same idea from before, but this time is was a preview performance for I Love Lucy the musical. All of this just goes to show that the Auto Show has had a rich legacy over the past 100+ years, and I can't wait to see what it has next.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Day 48: #23
When I mention the number 23 in relation to Chicago, you might think I'm talking about Devin Hester of the Bears, or maybe Jermaine Dye of the White Sox, or you just might think I'm talking about Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs. Okay, let's get real, you thought of none of those. The second I mentioned 23 and Chicago in the same sentence, you instantly thought of Michael Jordan. As well you should. By most accounts, he is the greatest player in the History of the NBA.
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. Early on, his future prowess was not a sure thing, given that he got cut from his High School's team. But he would eventually move onto success at the University of North Carolina, where he would lead the Tar Heels to the 1982 NCAA Title. He left after his Junior Year in 1984, a year which would see him win the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. After that, he was taken in the 3rd round of the draft by the Chicago Bulls.
For the first two seasons, they made the playoffs, but got bounced in the first round. The one highlight from this part of his career came on April 20, 1986, where he scored 63 points against the Celtics in a playoff game. After the game, Larry Bird famously declared that Michael was "God disguised as Michael Jordan". After those early struggles, Jordan's Bulls ran into their next roadblock: The Detroit Pistons. For three straight seasons, the Bulls would make it past the first round, only to get stalled by the Pistons. The Pistons actually came up with an entirely new way of guarding Jordan to gain the edge in those games. Using the Jordan Rules aided them in curtailing Jordan's influence. But then in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls FINALLY rose over the peak. Tellingly, the Pistons walked off the court in the game's final minutes and failed to congratulate the Bulls on their win.
After that, the Bulls went on to win three titles in a row. And then in a shocking move, Michael Jordan quit the game of Basketball. Claiming that his father's murder was having a lingering effect on him, he played 2 seasons of Minor League baseball. He then came back to the Bulls just in time for them to assemble the best ever record in the history. The team went 72-10, both the least amount of losses in NBA history, as well as the only time a team has won more than 70 games in a season. Additionally, Jordan became only the second player ever to win the All-Star Game, Regular Season, and Finals MVP Awards in a single season. The end of this year saw them win their fourth title. The next two years saw the completion of the second three-peat, as well as Jordan's second retirement. However, after just three years away, Jordan returned to the game yet again with the Washington Wizards.
He finally retired in 2003, leaving a legacy that is almost insurmountable. His number 23 was retired by the Bulls after his retirement. In 2003, his number was retired by the Miami Heat. On numerous occasions, he was voted the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. And in one case, his influence has escaped the bounds of North America. When David Beckham moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid, he switched his jersey number to 23 in part to honor Michael Jordan. Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, a fitting conclusion to his stellar and groundbreaking career.
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. Early on, his future prowess was not a sure thing, given that he got cut from his High School's team. But he would eventually move onto success at the University of North Carolina, where he would lead the Tar Heels to the 1982 NCAA Title. He left after his Junior Year in 1984, a year which would see him win the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. After that, he was taken in the 3rd round of the draft by the Chicago Bulls.
For the first two seasons, they made the playoffs, but got bounced in the first round. The one highlight from this part of his career came on April 20, 1986, where he scored 63 points against the Celtics in a playoff game. After the game, Larry Bird famously declared that Michael was "God disguised as Michael Jordan". After those early struggles, Jordan's Bulls ran into their next roadblock: The Detroit Pistons. For three straight seasons, the Bulls would make it past the first round, only to get stalled by the Pistons. The Pistons actually came up with an entirely new way of guarding Jordan to gain the edge in those games. Using the Jordan Rules aided them in curtailing Jordan's influence. But then in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls FINALLY rose over the peak. Tellingly, the Pistons walked off the court in the game's final minutes and failed to congratulate the Bulls on their win.
After that, the Bulls went on to win three titles in a row. And then in a shocking move, Michael Jordan quit the game of Basketball. Claiming that his father's murder was having a lingering effect on him, he played 2 seasons of Minor League baseball. He then came back to the Bulls just in time for them to assemble the best ever record in the history. The team went 72-10, both the least amount of losses in NBA history, as well as the only time a team has won more than 70 games in a season. Additionally, Jordan became only the second player ever to win the All-Star Game, Regular Season, and Finals MVP Awards in a single season. The end of this year saw them win their fourth title. The next two years saw the completion of the second three-peat, as well as Jordan's second retirement. However, after just three years away, Jordan returned to the game yet again with the Washington Wizards.
He finally retired in 2003, leaving a legacy that is almost insurmountable. His number 23 was retired by the Bulls after his retirement. In 2003, his number was retired by the Miami Heat. On numerous occasions, he was voted the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. And in one case, his influence has escaped the bounds of North America. When David Beckham moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid, he switched his jersey number to 23 in part to honor Michael Jordan. Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, a fitting conclusion to his stellar and groundbreaking career.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Day 4: Civil Rights, Sports, and all with a side of fries.
Today's entry in the blog brings us downtown, to the Loop. But this isn't just any ordinary store on the Loop. No, this is the McDonald's at 230 S. State St. And here is why that is such a big deal: it has a dual theme. The first floor of the establishment is a tribute to the city's storied sports history, featuring various posters and other pieces of memorablia(more than just one piece featuring Michael Jordan. However, that is not all. After you get your food, you have the option of going up to the second floor. Do that, and you'll come face to face with Reflections of the Civil Rights Movement, a pictorial tribute to the career of Dr. King. There are all sorts of items there in relation to the movement, and also a pictorial board depicting the life and times of Cirilo McSween. Born in Panama in 1926, he was a member of the Panamanian Olympic Track and Field Team before going to work for New York Life Insurance Company(where he was their first Black sales agent). He also was a participant in the Civil Rights Movement. His prowess in the field of insurance led him to eventually acquiring 11 McDonald's franchises. Finally, in 2005, he renovated his State Street location to have the second floor tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. So, the next time you're downtown and want a bite to eat, stop in at the McDonald's at 230 S. State to eat--and learn.
P.S. I took some pictures when I went to this place, and they can be found on the Chicago 365 Facebook page.
P.S. I took some pictures when I went to this place, and they can be found on the Chicago 365 Facebook page.
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