1977 Chicago Sports: A Sizzling Summer Flames Out
The sports fans of Chicago were on top of the world in the sizzling summer that was 1977 Chicago sports. The Cubs and White Sox were each flying way, in first place by comfortable margins. A Windy City Series was more than just the talk of the locals, it was very much on the baseball radar. Then it all went down to the tubes.
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What’s even more interesting is how similar the Cubs and White Sox’ stories were. They were both strong on offense with problems in the pitching staff. They each started to fade in August and each had a defending division champion (the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals respectively) that came on hard down in the final two months with a vengeance.
The similarities don’t stop there. The Cubs and White Sox each had reason to believe the future would still be better, and each ended up disappointed. When they each finally did get back into contention—and ultimately to the postseason, it was even almost the same time. The White Sox finally made it in 1983 and the Cubbies in 1984.
Chicago sports may have seen its summer sizzle turned into fall disappointment, but they got their spirits lifted from an unlikely source. The Chicago Bears hadn’t made the playoffs since the Super Bowl era was inaugurated in 1966. This year was finally the breakthrough. Walter Payton was at his best, running his way to the MVP award and the Bears closed the season strong to take what was then the one and only wild-card spot.
And for the substantial element of the Chicago sports fan base that likes Notre Dame college football, the 1977 season was even more fun—the Irish won the national title in their third year under Dan Devine.
Summer sizzle followed by disappointment, followed by a football uplift. That was the story of Chicago sports in 1977, and you can read more about each team’s individual journey at the links below.
READ MORE ABOUT THE 1977 CHICAGO CUBS
READ MORE ABOUT THE 1977 CHICAGO WHITE SOX
READ MORE ABOUT THE 1977 CHICAGO BEARS
READ MORE ABOUT THE 1977 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TEAM