Chicago Sports Then and Now

Is Walter Payton is greatest athlete in Chicago sports history?

Measuring greatness across generations is always a tough challenge. While athletes grow in size, stature and athletic ability, does it mean the athletes of today are greater than those of 30 years ago and were those athletes better than the stars of the 1920s and 1930s?

Chicago has been blessed with a plethora of great stars over the generations.

From the legends that helped Chicago teams win eight pennants and four World Series titles between 1905 and 1919, to the larger than life superstars that have built the legacy for one of the NFL’s original teams, and the all-time greats that have helped the city claim championships in hockey and create a dynasty in basketball, Chicago has been home to more than its share of “special” athletes.

So, who is the greatest of the greats?

We want to know who you believe is the greatest athlete in the history of Chicago sports. Vote in the poll accompanying this article and then share with us your thoughts on which athlete is most deserving.

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Out of the dozens of athletes who could have easily been considered, we have narrowed the field to eight finalists. Brief profiles are below.

Luke Appling was the face of the White Sox for two decades.

Luke Appling: For two decades, Luke Appling was the man in the middle as the shortstop for the Chicago White Sox. Known as “Old Aches and Pains” for his constant complaining about minor ailments, Appling was the best player for the White Sox during an era when they enjoyed little on the field success. Primarily a leadoff hitter, Appling registered a career on-base percentage of .399 with 1,319 runs scored. Though he hit only 45 career home runs, Appling could still drive home runs when moved down in the lineup. He finished his career with 440 doubles and 1,179 career runs batted in. In 1936 Appling became the first American League shortstop to win a batting title as he hit .388 and also established career highs with 111 runs scored and 128 RBI. He won a second batting title in 1943 and finished his career with a .310 average. A seven time All-Star, Appling was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.

Ernie Banks was always happy when they were playing two.

Ernie Banks: Known as “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks spent 19 seasons with the Cubs and was one of the best players of his generation. A two-time National League MVP, Banks topped the 40 home run mark four times and drove in more than 100 runs eight times. In 1958 he hit .313 with 47 home runs, 129 RBI and 119 runs scored. The following season he drove in a career-high 143 runs while hitting 45 home runs. Banks finished his career with 512 home runs and 1,636 runs batted in. He also scored 1,305 runs and had a career slugging percentage of .500. Banks spent his first eight seasons as a shortstop before finishing his career as a first baseman. Banks was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Dick Butkus was feared by many offensive players.

Dick Butkus: Known during his career as “The Most Feared Man in Football”, Dick Butkus was a ferocious competitor known for his legendary toughness. A tremendous athlete when he joined the Bears out of the University of Illinois, Butkus followed in the Bears’ tradition of great middle linebackers during nine NFL seasons. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and was a first team All-Pro five times. Butkus intercepted 22 passes during his career and also recovered 27 fumbles. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Red Grange was the first superstar of the NFL.

Red Grange: Without Red Grange, there may not be an NFL or a Chicago Bears today. The most celebrated collegiate football player of his generation, the “Galloping Ghost” was a three-time All-American at the University of Illinois. By the time he completed his eligibility in 1925 he was already a legend. In the days before an NFL Draft, Grange signed with the Bears the day after playing his final college game and embarked on a 19-game barnstorming tour. The tour is widely credited with legitimizing professional football. Grange helped save the New York Giants as a crowd of 65,000 gathered at the Polo Grounds in December 1925 to watch Grange and the Bears play against the Giants. Though injuries robbed him of some his greatness, Grange was still a key player for the Bears as they won consecutive NFL titles in 1932 and 1933.

Bobby Hull was a tough competitor for 15 seasons with the Black Hawks.

Bobby Hull: Hockey legend Bobby Hull joined the Chicago Black Hawks at the age of 19 in 1957 and spent 15 seasons with the team. He helped lead them to their most recent Stanley Cup championship in 1961. Though only 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Hull was an electrifying player and one of the league’s first international superstars. In 1966 he eclipsed the NHL record of 50 goals in a season. Overall, he scored 50 or more goals five times for the Black Hawks and led the league in goals seven times and points three times. Hull left the Black Hawks for the World Hockey Association following the 1972 season and spent eight years with the Winnipeg Jets. In 23 total professional seasons, Hull scored 610 goals and had 1,170 career points.

Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles.

Michael Jordan: Widely considered the best player in NBA history, Michael Jordan captivated the city of Chicago during his 13 magical seasons with the Bulls. An athletic scorer when he joined the NBA out of the University of North Carolina, by the time he finished his tenure with the Bulls Jordan was an all-around superstar. He won the NBA scoring title in each of his final 10 seasons with the Bulls and averaged more than 30 points a game in eight different seasons. He was a first team All-NBA selection 10 times and a first team NBA All-Defensive team selection on nine occasions. His career scoring average of 30.1 points per game is the highest in NBA history. He was the NBA MVP five times and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. Jordan led the Bulls to the NBA Championship in each of his final six full seasons with the squad.

Stan Mikita led the Black Hawks to the 1961 Stanley Cup title.

Stan Mikita: Spending his entire 22 year career with the Chicago Black Hawks, Stan Mikita was one of the best centers of his generation. Teaming with Bobby Hull, he helped provide the Black Hawks with an electrifying offense that was annually among the NHL leaders in goals scored. Mikita helped lead the Black Hawks to the Stanley Cup title in 1961. He led the NHL in assists three times and total points on four occasions. He finished his career with 541 goals and 926 assists. His 1,467 career points are the 13th highest total in NHL history. Mikita was among the most penalized players in the league early in his career before changing his ways and went on to twice win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1968. Mikita was inducted into the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

Walter Payton was a high flier for 13 NFL seasons.

Walter Payton: Known as Sweetness, Walter Payton was anything but sweet to defensive players. For 13 seasons, Payton ran over, around and through defenders on his way to the end zone. Emerging from tiny Jackson State, Payton rushed for 1,390 yards in just his second NFL season and the following year led the NFL with 1,852 yards in a 14 game season. He had 10 seasons of 1,200 or more yards rushing, including three seasons of more than 1,600 yards. He had 77 games with 100 or more yards rushing, including a 275-yard performance in 1977. In 1984 he became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and he finished his career with a then-record 16,726 yards. He scored 110 rushing touchdowns and also caught 492 career passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. He helped lead the Bears to the Super Bowl championship in 1985. Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.