Most Succesful Cities Top Ten Part 8

3. Chicago, IL

Pro Teams: Cubs 1870-present (MLB), Cardinals 1898-1959 (NFL), White Sox 1901-present (MLB), Bears 1919-present (NFL), Blackhawks 1926-present (NHL), Bruins/Studebaker Flyers/American Gears 1939-42/1942-43/1944-47 (NBL), Stags 1946-50 (NBA), Zephyrs 1961-63 (NBA), Bulls 1966-present (NBA), Cougars 1972-75 (WHA)

Championships: 27 (3)White Sox (1906,1917,2005), (2)Cubs (1907,1908), (9) Bears (1921,1932,1933,1940,1941,1943,1946,1963,1985), (2)Cardinals (1925,1947), (4)Blackhawks (1934,1938,1961,2010), (1)American Gears (1947), (6)Bulls (1991-93,1996-98)

History: The Cubbies are the oldest professional team in the United States. Even though their title drought has lasted over a century, Wrigley Field is the crown jewel of the North Side.

Not to be out done, the Cardinals are the oldest established team in pro football. Sadly, the Cardinals were not as successful nor as popular as the Bears. As a result, they would have to move to St. Louis to continue their tradition.

Chicago's south side team has quite a history of its own. They started out as a minor league franchise for the Western League as the Sioux City Cornhuskers. Then it was off to St. Paul to be the Saints until the end of the 1900 season. Since their time in the Windy City, the Sox have 6 AL Pennants (they did win in 1900 but as St. Paul bringing their total to 7) along with 5 division titles and a couple of Wild Card berths.

Da' Bears have quite a history themselves. They started off as the Decatur Staleys in 1920 and moved to Chicago the following season. And from 1922 on, they became the Bears that people know and love today. While they were not the first ever NFL champs (that would be the Akron Pros), but they held firsts in many regard. In 1932, they won the 1st playoff game defeating the Portsmouth Spartans (aka Detroit Lions) 9-0. That same year, Chicago Stadium was the first indoor stadium to hold a football game due to the cold weather. As a result, the NFL decided to have a Championship game. In 1933, the Bears knocked off the Giants 23-21 and the rest is history.

The Blackhawks would be a continuation of the success in the Windy City. With the NFL's success at their previous home Chicago Stadium, it wouldn't take long for the Hawks to become a success. In total, the Blackhawks have made the postseason for the 3rd consecutive season marking their 56th appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

With success' come failures. Despite being owned by Bears owner George Halas, the Bruins time in the NBL was short and relatively unknown. The Studebaker Flyers would not fare any better. But the American Gears were something to behold. George Mikan who would go on to fame with the Minneapolis Lakers, won the 1947 Championship over the Rochester Royals (aka the future Sacramento Kings).

Continuing with this theme, the Stags looked to be a promising team for the NBA. As a member of the old BAA, the Stags would reach the first ever Championship game appearing in the 1947 Finals. They would go on to lose to the Warriors in 5 games. After that, they never would capture the same magic like they did in their first run and would be a result of contraction.

The NBA would try again with the Chicago Packers in 1961. Since that name was probably too closely associated with Green Bay's NFL team, they changed their name to the Zephyrs the following season. After that, they were gone to Baltimore.

After the Zephyrs went away, the Bulls would take over. Before Michael Jordan was drafted and Scottie Pippen was acquired, the team had some success here and there. But it wasn't until the dynamic duo came into the picture, that history was made. Right now, the post Jordan-Pippen Bulls are in the playoffs for the 3rd straight season.

The WHA almost had success in the Chicago market. The Cougars came to play trying to make a name for themselves. In a good way, they made the Avco Championship Game in 1974 (swept by the Aeros). Sadly, the arena they played in that season had a bit of a scheduling conflict. Peter Pan was playing at the same time as their lone playoff appearance and created quite a conflict. And because of that embarrassment, the Cougs played one more season and folded.

Interesting facts: TV shows like "Family Matters" and "Perfect Strangers" are set in the Windy City. Famous people include Bill Murray and Oprah. Northwestern in nearby Evanston is a school in the Big 10 Conference.