CHGO Ranks: The 25 greatest games in Chicago sports history

“I’ll never forget where I was when…”

That doesn’t always indicate the highest scoring or most dominating game. It’s the redeeming moments of triumph that make up for the decades of heartache and shape us as respectful, unrelenting diehards today. Whether you watched from the stands or the couch, or listened to the radio call with a handheld radio tucked underneath your pillow past your bedtime, you know the moments.

It’s impossible to list the 25 greatest games in Chicago’s history without sparking debate, but that’s okay — every game on this list is great.

We debated the topic in the CHGO office and tried being as unrestrictive as possible. However, we kept to professional games, excluding Illinois’ magical comeback against Arizona and Northwestern’s barnburner against Michigan in 2000.

We’ll be updating the list with five games per day with the top five being unveiled on Friday, July 19. And while we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to guess what’s atop the list, the journey to No. 1 is going to be a fun one as we debate our picks on social media. Make sure you’re locked into our Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts for more CHGO Ranks content this week!

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25. Game 163, “The Blackout Game”

White Sox 1, Twins 0

Thome. Danks. Jenks. It doesn’t matter what happened in the ALDS, Game 163 is not just one of the best games in White Sox history, but Chicago’s sports history, too. With the 2008 AL Central title on the line, South Siders provided one of baseball’s most electrifying atmospheres, turning U.S. Cellular Field into a sea of darkness.

162 games wasn’t enough to declare a division winner, but Jim Thome’s solo home run was all the White Sox needed in Game 163. John Danks’ 8 IP of 2-hit baseball kept the Sox ahead before Bobby Jenks shut the Twins down in order, sending Chicago back to the postseason for the first time since 2005.

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24. The Ryne Sandberg Game

Cubs 12, Cardinals 11 — F/11

Whether you were listening to Bob Costas or Harry Caray, or even if you’ve just seen highlights, you know the game. Before June 23, 1984, Ryne Sandberg was just another ballplayer. Sandberg didn’t even headline the trade that brought the eventual 10x all-star to Chicago. But after his two game-tying home runs off of Bruce Sutter in the 9th and 10th innings, Sandberg rocketed to stardom and to the 1984 NL MVP.

The Cubs trailed St. Louis by 6 runs after the 2nd, but a 5-run 6th, Ryno’s late-inning heroics and Dave Owen’s pinch-hit walk-off single sent The Friendly Confines into chaos and The Sandberg Game into the history books.

⚾ READ | CHGO’s Ryan Herrera and Jared Wyllys on Ryne Sandberg’s immortalization outside of Wrigley Field.

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23. Field of Dreams Walk-off

White Sox 9, Yankees 8

Moonlight Graham, meet Tim Anderson. When it comes to heroes in the cornfields of Dyersville, Iowa, Anderson played a modern role for a nostalgic tale. Not even Hollywood could’ve written the script of MLB’s first game in Dyersville between the Yankees and White Sox.

Entering the 9th down three, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton each launched two-run home runs to stun Liam Hendriks and the Sox. But after Seby Zavala’s walk brought Tim Anderson to the plate, Chicago’s rising star made the most of the moment. Capping off a wildly entertaining and beautiful night with a two-run blast into the corn, Anderson reminded us of all that once was good and that could be again.

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22. The Gale Sayers Game

Bears 61, 49ers 20

The Kansas Comet’s career didn’t have the longevity that typically goes with being an all-time great. Gale Sayers only played four full seasons in the NFL, but his brilliance and electrifying talent made him the NFL’s youngest Hall of Famer in 1977 at age 34.

The high mark of Sayers’ football career came in the penultimate game of his 1965 rookie campaign when he reached paydirt six times, tying a record set by Dub Jones in 1951. Sayers scored 5 touchdowns on the ground, reaching the end zone for the 6th time on an 85-yard punt return in the 4th quarter. The Bears dominated San Francisco, winning by 41 thanks to other scores from Jon Arnett, Jim Jones, and Mike Ditka, but it’s Gale Sayers’ performance that earned it a spot in the Top 25.

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21. 2015 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6

Blackhawks 2, Lightning 0

“They’ve waited a long time for this to be at home,” said legendary broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Five years after hoisting the team’s first Stanley Cup in 49 years, the Blackhawks clinched a championship on home ice for the first time since 1938.

Duncan Keith’s series heroics, including Game 6’s winning goal, were rewarded with the Conn Smythe. Keith averaged 29:46 TOI in the series, three minutes per game more than any skater on either team. Corey Crawford stopped 25 shots from the Lightning en route to the 5th and final playoff shutout of his career, and the Blackhawks’ dominating line of Brandon Saad, Brad Richards, and Patrick Kane put the game on ice in the 3rd with a gorgeous one-timer.

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20. 2005 World Series, Game 3

White Sox 7, Astros 5 — F/14

14 innings. 5 hours, 41 minutes. It was the longest World Series contest until 2018. Geoff Blum only received one at-bat in the entire series, but he cemented himself as a postseason hero in Chicago.

Down four, Joe Crede breathed life into the White Sox, smashing an opposite-field solo shot to lead off the 5th inning against Roy Oswalt. The South Siders posted four more runs in the 5th, holding a 5-4 lead until the Astros tied it back up in the 8th. The game remained tied until Geoff Blum roped a liner over the right field fence for a two-run homer in the 14th inning. Mark Buehrle, who had thrown seven innings two nights earlier, faced one batter, retiring Adam Everett to record his lone career save.

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19. 2015 NLDS, Game 4

Cubs 6, Cardinals 4

Every Cubs fan remembers the Kyle Schwarber bomb that landed atop the right field videoboard. The majestic swing and the ball’s disappearance into the sky had the TBS booth rhetorically asking, “what in the world” as the party within The Friendly Confines intensified.

But the game was more than a Schwarbomb. Javier Baez announced his arrival with a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead. After the Cardinals tied the game in the 6th, Anthony Rizzo homered to regain the lead before Schwarber added the insurance in the 7th. “I wish all of you could be right here at this moment,” Pat Hughes exclaimed as Hector Rondon sent the Cubs back to the NLCS for the first time since 2003.

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18. Walter Payton’s Flu Game

Bears 10, Vikings 7

Walter Payton was the ultimate personification of the toughness, determination, and strength required to play in the NFL. His willingness to take the hit for an extra two yards displayed a level of grit paired with his talent that hasn’t been replicated since Sweetness. Before the team’s successes in the 80s, Payton was the Chicago Bears.

Battling a severe flu on November 20, 1977, Payton toughed out his illness, willing his way to a record-setting performance against the Purple People Eaters. With a 101.0°F fever at kick off, Payton locked up the year’s NFL MVP award in the next 60 minutes. On 40 carries, he dashed for 275 yards, breaking O.J. Simpson’s single-game record (273), scoring Chicago’s only TD — a 1-yard rush. Payton’s record stood for 23 years.

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17. 1993 NBA Finals, Game 6

Bulls 99, Suns 98

Had Michael Jordan never played another game of basketball after this day, this game might rank higher than No. 17. Playing his final game in the league until 1995, Jordan scored 33 points en route to the NBA’s first three-peat since the 60s Celtics.

In the first 11:56 of the 4th quarter in Game 6, the Bulls had just nine points — Jordan had all nine. But it was Horace Grant and John Paxson that combined to prevent the series from reaching a Game 7. Down 98-96, Jordan passed inside to Scottie Pippen as he charged the lane, but as defenders converged, Pippen shoveled to Grant. Grant made the extra pass to Paxson who buried the 3-point game-winner with 3.9 seconds left.

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16. 1986 NFC Championship

Bears 24, Rams 0

The Rams never had a chance. Buddy Ryan’s ’46 Defense’ stifled a Rams offense led by Eric Dickerson that had scored 21.3 points per game that season. Dickerson picked up just 46 yards on the ground and Dieter Brock added only 66 yards through the air. A 16-yard touchdown run by Jim McMahon and a 22-yard strike to Willie Gault provided Chicago with more than enough offense.

But the game’s defining moment came in the 4th quarter when Richard Dent stripped Brock and Wilber Marshall rumbled 52 yards to paydirt as snow began to fall at Soldier Field. For the second straight week, the Bears’ defense had pitched a shutout, and for the first time in franchise history, they were headed to the Super Bowl.

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15. 1997 NBA Finals, Game 5 | MJ’s Flu Game

Bulls 90, Jazz 88

Flu Game, Food Poisoning Game — it doesn’t matter what you call it. Hungry in Salt Lake City the night before Game 5, Michael Jordan ordered pizza to his hotel room. Jordan’s trainer Tim Grover refused to eat any of it citing the odd circumstances of a single pizza requiring multiple delivery men, but this didn’t set off enough alarm bells for No. 23.

Michael Jordan spent the next 20 hours barfing into buckets, but when it mattered most, Jumpman mustered up the performance of a lifetime. Jordan played 44 minutes, scoring 38 points including a go-ahead 3-pointer to give the Bulls their first lead in over 8 minutes. Jordan nailed a pair of free throws to ice the game before collapsing in Scottie Pippen’s arms.

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14. 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game 5

Blackhawks 5, Predators 4 — F/OT

Some might call the 2009 Winter Classic the turning point for Blackhawks hockey. Some might consider it the Hawks’ five-goal comeback against the Flames in the second week of the 2009-10 season. But Chicago’s comeback victory against the Predators to take a 3-2 series lead cemented the Blackhawks as legitimate contenders in 2010 and beyond.

With their backs against the wall, down a goal and a man thanks to a 5-minute boarding major against Marian Hossa, an errant pass from Martin Erat finally allowed Jonathan Toews to escape the defensive zone. 15 seconds later with 14 seconds left, Patrick Kane flipped a rebound past Pekka Rinne to force OT. In overtime, the Blackhawks feverishly killed the remained of Hossa’s penalty before No. 81 tapped in the game-winner 10 seconds out of the box.

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13. 2016 NLCS, Game 6

Cubs 5, Dodgers 0

The Cubs had history with Game 6 of the NLCS. 13 years prior, up 3-0 heading into the 8th inning, Dusty Baker, Mark Prior, and Alex Gonzalez fumbled away a trip to the World Series just 5 outs away. Though the loss is often credited to an infamous fan with seats on the left field foul line, the Cubs had plenty of chances to wipe it from the history books later in the inning. They couldn’t.

Kyle Hendricks and Aroldis Chapman flushed the ’03 vibe, facing the minimum 27 batters en route to the Cubs’ first World Series berth since 1945. Hendricks shoved, tossing 7.1 IP, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 6. Aroldis Chapman recorded the final 5 outs, inducing two double plays. Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras tagged Clayton Kershaw with homers providing the Cubs with more than enough run support to wash away the tears of 2003.

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12. Monday Night Miracle

Bears 24, Cardinals 23

For the first time in two decades, it felt like the 2006 Bears had all of the ingredients to make a special run. On Monday Night Football in Arizona, they got their signature win. The offense could not score. The offense did not score. Instead, it was up to the defense that was lucky to only trail by 20 in the waning moments of the 3rd quarter.

Fumble returns to the endzone by Mike Brown and Charles Tillman brought the Bears within 6. Devin Hester stunned the Arizona crowd, housing an 83-yard punt return for the lead with 3 minutes left. But the game isn’t the same without Cardinals head coach Dennis Green blowing up in his post-game presser: “The Bears are who we thought they were! That’s why we took the damn field! Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But they are who we thought they were! And we let them off the hook!”

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11. 1986 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 2

Celtics 135, Bulls 131 — F/2OT

It’s the only loss within the Top 25. That’s the absurdity of Michael Jordan. His showing in Game 2 against Boston still lives on in record books as arguably the best individual performance in the playoffs ever.

Jordan’s 63 points is still the most ever in a single postseason game by one player. While the effort couldn’t will the Bulls past the Celtics, it earned No. 23 the respect of NBA legends in just his second season. After the game, Larry Bird said of Michael’s performance, “I think he’s God disguised as Michael Jordan. He is the most awesome player in the NBA. Today in Boston Garden, on national TV, in the playoffs, he put on one of the greatest shows of all time.”

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10. Mark Buehrle’s Perfect Game

White Sox 5, Rays 0

“Call your sons, call your daughters! Call your friends, call your neighbors!”

Hawk Harrelson’s entire call of Mark Buehrle’s perfect game matched the excited of the feat superbly. Somehow, Hawk’s exclamation to make sure everybody was watching history isn’t even his best moment of the day.

With Gabe Kapler at the dish for the Rays, Buehrle left his only mistake of the day hanging over the plate. Kapler got just enough to get the ball over the fence, but it never made it. DeWayne Wise’s history-saving home run robbery threw U.S. Cellular Field and the broadcast booth into utter chaos.

“Wise back…back… makes the catch! DeWayne Wise makes the catch! What a play by Wise! Mercy! A great catch by DeWayne Wise. Under the circumstances,” Harrelson added, “one of the greatest catches I have ever seen in 50 years in this game.”

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9. Kerry Wood’s 20K Game

Cubs 2, Astros 0

It’s considered the greatest pitched game ever by game score (105). May 6, 1998 is etched in baseball lore as one of the most dominating performances of all time. Kerry Wood allowed two runners: a sharp single off the glove of Kevin Orie in the 3rd, and a hit batsman in 6th.

Some still contest that had Ricky Gutierrez’s single come in the 6th inning or later, most scorekeepers would’ve ruled the play an E-5. But that didn’t stop Wood from finding the history books. Making his 5th-career start, Wood struck out 20 batters, tying Roger Clemens for the most in a 9-inning outing.

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8. 2013 Western Conference Semifinal, Game 7

Blackhawks 2, Red Wings 1 — F/OT

Some call it the first and only overtime game to end 3-1. Brent Seabrook’s overtime winner is a goal that will live forever in Blackhawks lore. Perhaps the greatest non-Stanley Cup Final game in team history, this contest and series had everything. After battling back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7 in Chicago, the Blackhawks felt once again like a team of destiny.

However, NHL referee Stephen Walkom had other plans. With under 2 minutes to play, tied 1-1, Andrew Shaw patiently waited for Niklas Hjalmarsson to enter the high slot, hitting No. 4 with a pass that the defenseman deposited in the twine behind Jimmy Howard. But coincidental minor penalties called by Walkom disallowed the potential game-winner.

Thankfully, Seabrook’s OT GWG allowed most Blackhawks fans to wipe the injustice against Hjalmarsson clear from their minds. More importantly, it sent the No. 7 seed Detroit Red Wings off to the Eastern Conference without a Cinderella run at glory.

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7. 2013 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6 | 17 Seconds

Blackhawks 3, Bruins 2

I think Bruins head coach Claude Julien is still looking up at the TD Garden jumbotron in shock to this day. Chicago’s only goal in the first 58:46 came on a takeaway-turned-odd-man rush in the 2nd period. Deadlocked halfway through the 3rd, Milan Lucic gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead and a chance to force Game 7 back in Chicago.

Everything changed as the Blackhawks called Crawford to the bench for an extra-attacker with 90 seconds remaining. Michal Handzus joined the play from the bench, serving as a decoy in the high slot while Jonathan Toews slid the puck to an open Bryan Bickell for the tie. “70 seconds separating these teams from another overtime,” Doc Emrick remarked as play resumed. “Hasn’t happened yet, though.” Moments later, Dave Bolland buried the game-winner past a sprawled-out Tuukka Rask.

“Two goals in 17 seconds. From a 2-1 deficit, a 3-2 lead.”

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6. 1992 NBA Finals, Game 6

Bulls 97, Trailblazers 93

“Michael’s going to come in and wrap this. He is, that’s what’s going to happen. It’s over.”

A hot-mic caught Marv Albert declaring the Bulls as NBA champions during a timeout during the 4th quarter. The catch? Chicago trailed by 3 at the time. Entering the 4th down 15 to the Trailblazers, Phil Jackson took a risk benching the starters except for Scottie Pippen.

The bench clawed the Bulls back into the game before — as Albert predicted — Jordan could return and close out the Finals. Chicago outscored Portland 33-14 in the final quarter behind a suffocating defensive effort, allowing the Trailblazers just 6 points in the final 4 minutes. Jordan added 12 points in the 4th, totaling 33 in the championship-clincher.

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5. 2010 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6

Blackhawks 4, Flyers 3 — F/OT

Nobody knew except him. Patrick Sharp quickly figured it out. As Patrick Kane accelerated down the ice toward a baffled Antti Niemi, more from the Blackhawks’ bench caught on.

It took just as long for Doc Emrick to realize the Blackhawks had just ended their 49-year Stanley Cup drought:“Threw one in front. They — oh my, it rattled around and it kicked on back, and then — score! We saw no light, we saw no signal. And we’re not sure if they’ve said a signal of a goal, yet. But they are celebrating at the other end of the ice. What chaos!”

While Emrick’s call is iconic, John Wiedeman’s on WGN Radio brings goosebumps: “Here’s Kane now, juking his way to the left cor—he shoots, he sco—oh, no. It’s turned wide by Leighton, loose puck in the crease. And now it’s in the net! They score! It’s in! The Hawks win the Stanley Cup.”

Moments later, Wiedeman delivered the line of the night: “Blackhawks fans around the world, you’ve endured 49 years of frustration, but your patience has finally paid off. Lord Stanley’s new address is Sweet Home Chicago!”

What chaos, indeed.

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4. 2005 World Series, Game 2

White Sox 7, Astros 6

“It’s a goner! A White Sox winner!” – Ed Farmer

Scott Podsednik finished the 2005 regular season without a single home run. His walk-off homer in Game 2 rivals just Geoff Blum’s Game 3 blast as the greatest in franchise history.

But before Podsednik could send the South Siders to Houston with a 2-0 series lead, the White Sox needed a rally. Down 4-2 in the 7th, Dan Wheeler loaded the bases, allowing a double to Juan Uribe, walking Tadahito Iguchi, and plunking Jermaine Dye. With two outs, the Astros brought in Chad Qualls to face Paul Konerko. One pitch later, the White Sox led 6-4.

Bobby Jenks allowed a two-run single in the 9th inning to blow the save, but the heartache and pain didn’t last long. Podsednik’s home run sent The Cell into a frenzy one last time in 2005 on a night that will never be forgotten in Chicago.

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3. 1998 NBA Finals, Game 6

Bulls 87, Jazz 86

The Last Dance. Michael Jordan’s final ride with the Chicago Bulls. It’s a finale Jazz fans still haven’t let go. No. 23 turned the final sequence of Game 6 into the greatest microcosm of the 90s Bulls and the ultimate testament of Michael Jordan’s greatness.

With 43 points under his belt and the Bulls trailing 86-85, Jordan stripped Karl Malone with less than 30 seconds left. Michael corralled the loose ball and headed up court with no intention of giving up the ball. Mano a mano. Isolation. The other thing standing between Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ sixth ring was Byron Russell. Russell was no match for the greatest of all time.

Jordan ended his 13-year reign of terror with the Bulls on top, and Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals is still the most-watched game in NBA Finals history.

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2. Super Bowl XX

Bears 46, Patriots 10

Not all great games are nail-biters. Super Bowl XX was the ultimate culmination of the ’85 Bears’ dominance. 10 points remains the fewest allowed in a playoff run in the Super Bowl era. All 10 came against New England.

Matt Suhey scored. Jim McMahon scored twice. Reggie Phillips returned an interception 28 yards to the endzone. William Perry became the heaviest player in Super Bowl history to score a touchdown at 335 lbs. The Bears didn’t return to the big game until 2007 and haven’t been back since, but it’s a game, season, and team that’s shaped the minds and expectations of Bears fans for generations.

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1. 2016 World Series, Game 7

Cubs 8, Indians 7 — F/10

“This is going to be a tough play. Bryant. The Cubs… win the world series! Bryant makes the play. It’s over, and the Cubs have finally won it all!”

The game of games. Joe Buck’s call of the final out still invites chills to Cubs any time they hear it. From the first batter to the last, the 2016 World Series clincher had everything. Lead-off home run? Check. Extra innings? Check. Comeback from 3-1 series deficit to win the franchise’s first championship in 108 years? Check.

The Cubs led 5-1 when Joe Maddon pulled Kyle Hendricks in the 5th inning. A wild pitch from Jon Lester allowed 2 runs before the lefty shut Cleveland down for two innings. But Rajai Davis’ game-tying home run brought back every negative thought multiplied by 10.

Then the rain came and the Cubs had a chance to step back and collect themselves. Ben Zobrist game-winning single sealed the utility man the honor of World Series MVP, Mike Montgomery recorded the final out, and the rest is history.

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