Daley scores big for Chicago sports

What do Michael Jordan and Mayor Daley have in common?

They're both part of a Chicago dynasty. MJ's dynasty ended after the Bulls won the 1998 NBA Championship, and, on May 16, 2011, Richard M. Daley's reign over Chicago will officially end as mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel takes office. It's the end of a political era, lasting just over 22 years.

Sure, the Bulls' and Daley dynasties are different, but in Chicago, both politics and sports are certainly newsworthy subjects, especially when the two come together in the same story. As a send-off to Mayor Daley, here are his most memorable times in the sports section.

1989

May 7th

Mayor Daley (an outspoken Sox fan) and Gov. James Thompson break ground for the new Comiskey Park.

Sept. 28th

Daley attends a downtown Cubs rally for their 1989 playoff run. "Chicago is enjoying the sweet taste of success," Daley said to the crowd. "And believe me, we'll savor every minute of it."

1990

June 24th

Daley tossed out the ceremonial first pitch at (old) Comiskey Park.

1991

June 7th

Daley bets with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley on Bulls/ Lakers Playoffs. Bradley bets a crate of oranges while Daley bets Chicago-style pizza and Fanny Mae Candies.

June 14th

The Bulls return to Chicago, after winning the NBA Championship, and celebrate in Grant Park. Daley, going on stage before the Bulls, officially declares June 14th "Bulls Day."

1992

June 7th

Daley bets with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley on Bulls/ Lakers Playoffs. Bradley bets a crate of oranges while Daley bets Chicago-style pizza and Fanny Mae Candies.

June 14th

The Bulls return to Chicago, after winning the NBA Championship, and celebrate in Grant Park. Daley, going on stage before the Bulls, officially declares June 14th "Bulls Day."

1994

July 17th

Chicago's Soldier Field hosts the 1994 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. Daley has Soldier Field undergo a $14 million renovation.

1996

Feb. 9th

Daley rejects Bear's President Mike McCaskey's plan to put a dome over Soldier Field.

Sept. 13th

Daley unveils $395 million dollar renovation plan for Soldier Field. The plan included a retractable roof that closed in 10 minutes.

1997

Sept. 20th

Mayor Daley announces that Sept. 20 will be Ryne Sandberg Day.

1998

Feb. 27th

Daley attends Harry Caray's funeral.

Oct. 15th

Daley offers new stadium proposal to the Bears: play in Comiskey Park.

Dec. 13th

Daley eyes Raiders franchise for Chicago. "I'd love to have them," Daley said, according to the Eugene Register-Guard. "New York supports two teams. I think we can.

2002

Aug. 4th

Daley strikes down the Tribune's proposal to expand Wrigley Field by 2,000 seats and the idea of adding more night games "at least through the 2003 season."

2004

Aug. 4th

Daley strikes down the Tribune's proposal to expand Wrigley Field by 2,000 seats and the idea of adding more night games "at least through the 2003 season."

2007

Jan. 26th

Daley issues a public apology to Saints fans for being heckled by Bears fans at the Bears-Saints NFC Championship Game. Bears fans allegedly jeered Saints fans by shouting things like "Go home and rebuild your house."

Oct.1st

Daley and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon bet on the Cubs-Diamondbacks National League Division Series. Daley's bet included hot dogs from Best's Kosher, root beer from Windy City Soda, and pizza from Connie's.

2008

July 10th

Daley, holding a "bunt" sign, makes a cameo in a White Sox TV ad.

Sept, 23rd

Daley publicly approves of a proposal (which went into effect the following month) to prohibit liquor sales in bars around Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field near the end of MLB playoff games.