The Chicago sports scene is rich in history and tradition. People who travel to Chicago can take in the sights and sounds of two of America’s most storied franchises. From the winning years of the 1990s Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan to Wrigley Field and the Cubs, Chicago has played host to some of the best sports moments and stars in the world.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls is the city’s pro basketball team that represents the city and citizens of Chicago in the National Basketball Association. The starting lineup of Len Chappell, Bob Boozer, Don Kojis, Jerry Sloan, and Guy Rodgers helped propel the Bulls to their first win over the St. Louis Hawks in a 104 to 97 victory on October 15, 1966. The Bulls finished their first year with a record of 33 win and 48 losses. Coached by Johnny Kerr, the Bulls were propelled into the playoffs, but lost in the first round their first year.

During the 1990s the Bulls gained basketball’s international spotlight when they won the NBA Championship six times. Lead by the stellar play of Michael Jordan, who subsequently became a worldwide icon, the Bulls rose to the top of their game. After Michael Jordan’s retirement, however, the Bulls fell on hard times but returned to the playoffs once again in 2005.

Chicago Cubs

The lovable losers, the Chicago Cubs, won their first National League game in 1876 by beating Louisville four runs to zero. On March 27, 1902 the Chicago Daily News gave the Chicago team their nickname, the Cubs. The year 1907 saw the Cubs claim their first World Series Title and in 1908 they repeated the feat and became the first to repeat as World Champions by beating the Detroit Tigers. In 1932, the Cubs became the last team to add numbers to their uniforms and Babe Ruth hit his most famous shot off of a Cubs pitcher during Game Three of the World Series that year.

In 1992, the Cubs won Sammy Sosa in a player trade. Sammy Sosa would go on to take part in one of the most exciting record chases in baseball history as he and Mark McGwire chased the single season homerun record during the summer of 1998. Sosa would ultimately break the record, but finish second in homeruns that year as Mark McGwire hit 70 homeruns to set the new MLB record that would later be broken by Barry Bonds.

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