With "The Last Dance" -- ESPN's 10-part documentary on the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls -- taking a look back at the team's six championships, it's time to review the 12 championships Chicago professional sports teams have won since 1985.

Here's a look back at the rings issued to the coaches, players and owners of these teams.

Twenty-three years have passed since the 1963 Bears won Chicago's last title in a major professional sport. At last, the Second City can chant "We're No. 1" without fear of flying too high.

-- Phil Hersh, Chicago Tribune

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 27, 1986:

It is a good thing Chicago is the city of the big shoulders. How else could it Bear up to the task of carrying an entire football team in a victory parade from here to eternity?

Sporting immortality is where the Chicago Bears are headed. They proved you can get there from New Orleans in a day trip.

With a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl XX at the Louisiana Superdome, the Bears also took the entire city on a long- awaited joyride. Read the full story.

Logo in 14-karat gold and blue enamel with one half-carat and 40 smaller diamonds.

Left side: Bears helmet, season record (18-1), GSH (initials for Bears founder/owner George S. Halas) and "Attitude."

Right side: Bears 46, Patriots 10, Super Bowl XX, Vince Lombardi trophy and the NFC Championship trophy.

"(The championship) means so much. Not just for me but for this team and this city. It was a seven-year struggle. It's the most proud day I've ever had."

-- Michael Jordan, in tears after the game talking to a national television audience

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 13, 1991:

Yes, the Bulls have taken the gold in their silver anniversary season, a tempest of effort finally sending the proud Lakers sinking into the Pacific Wednesday night in a hard-fought 108-101 game and letting loose a tidal wave of exhilaration and emotion.

The Bulls are champions!

Roll it around in your mouth and savor the sweet taste of victory. Close your eyes and see them raising the banners in honor of the Bulls, in honor of all Bulls teams and, really, in honor of all Chicagoans. Get ready for Friday's noon rally at the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park.

Because the Bulls have been Chicago's team, winning with a bit of Gold Coast glamor and a lot of stockyards effort.

This not only has been an inexorable march to glory, it has been a 100-yard dash to success. The Bulls sped through the playoffs with a 15-2 record, equaling the best since the NBA went to the current postseason format and posting the second-best all-time playoff winning percentage. Read the full story.

Small diamonds surround black onyx crest with 14-karat gold logo.

Left side: Larry O'Brien trophy.

Right side: "World Champions 1991," NBA logo and the team's playoff record (15-2).

By winning twice in a row, even if it hasn't been the artistic and overwhelming triumph of their maiden voyage a year ago, the Bulls have combined talent, genius and hard work into a special treat for their followers. They have entered the cathedral of greatness because they were the architects of their own success.

-- Sam Smith, Chicago Tribune

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 15, 1992:

There can be no doubt now about what the Bulls accomplished during the last few weeks in winning their second straight NBA title.

They have made greatness and history their principal opponents. They have taken their place beside the Celtics and the Lakers in NBA folklore and excellence. They have taken over a decade.

They did it Sunday night at the Stadium, overcoming a 17-point deficit and defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 97-93 to win the NBA Finals four games to two.

With Michael Jordan on the bench, an unlikely combination of Bulls reserves helped cut the margin to three in the fourth quarter. Stacey King scored five fourth-quarter points and Bobby Hansen-the only Bull without a 1991 championship ring-contributed a key three-point shot plus a steal. Jordan returned to score 12 of his 33 points in the game's final six minutes, and Scottie Pippen also hit some key shots down the stretch. Read the full story.

Name in 33 baguette and tapered baguette diamonds and 14-karat gold.

Left side: Season record (67-15).

Right side: "World Champions," the NBA logo and "Back to Back."

(Michael) Jordan is the great star in a twinkling universe of bright lights, and winning a third straight title with this Bulls team has been his destiny, too. For when it has all been written, the Bulls will be among the elite sports teams of all time.

-- Sam Smith, Chicago Tribune

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 21, 1993:

The Bulls this time came stalking history, which is a most elusive goal. For history makes one both a target and an enduring memory.

It will be hard to forget this third consecutive NBA title, which the Bulls won by outlasting Phoenix in Game 6 Sunday 99-98 on a three-point shot by guard John Paxson with 3.9 seconds remaining. Horace Grant sealed the historic night by blocking the Suns' Kevin Johnson last-second shot attempt.

The night will forever be engraved in the conscience of sport. For few have gone this way, and only the aristocracy of sport reside here, names offered in solemn reverence, like Boston Celtics, Montreal Canadiens, New York Yankees, Notre Dame football, UCLA basketball.

And Chicago Bulls. Read the full story.

Logo made of garnet and 14-karat gold.

Left side: Playoff record (15-4) and NBA trophy.

Right side: "World Champions 1993," NBA logo and "3-Peat."

Winning -- it's true -- doesn't get old.

-- Charles M. Madigan, Chicago Tribune

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 17, 1996:

It is undeniably true that for any Chicago sports team, nagged by a second city complex as big as the place itself, victory is always sweet. Now the Chicago Bulls can add another line to their history: Victory is always sweet, but not necessarily easy.

The Bulls, finally, captured their fourth championship trophy Sunday night at the United Center, triumphing over a Seattle SuperSonics team that simply would not give up. This series felt a lot like warfare, like crawling up the beach under heavy enemy fire.

The final game was not a blowout. Seattle was not embarrassed. The Bulls did not stomp on them and then march away like triumphant Roman legionnaires into the arms of a loving hometown.

They just won, and that was enough.

The score was 87-75. Read the full story.

Crest of black onyx set with four diamonds and gold nets representing four trophies in a 14-karat gold setting with 72 smaller diamonds.

Left side: Bulls logo in color.

Right side: "World Champions," Chicago skyline, 72 wins, NBA logo and "Greatest Team Ever."

"That's all it was was -- a big challenge. Every night we had to find a new way of getting ourselves motivated. That was the difficult part."

-- Dennis Rodman, Bulls forward

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 14, 1997:

The long journey ended late Friday night, much the way it played out over the previous seven months.

From November to June, there were ups-and-downs. Quite a few hairy moments. Big plays that kept the Bulls in games. Big shots delivering victories. Particularly the hard victories.

So when Steve Kerr hit the shot, the 17-foot jumper that will be remembered every time people recall the Bulls' latest championship, it was appropriate. The basket came at the end of an uphill battle, almost magnifying how tough this journey truly was.

Bulls coach Phil Jackson didn't need a do-or-die shot to remind him.

"I didn't enjoy this journey," he said with a smile big enough for all the United Center to see. "This was filled with injuries and suspensions. But we had a great run, didn't we? It was wonderful."

And it's over. The season came to a close with a thrilling 90-86 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals before 24,544 screaming fans at the United Center. The Bulls successfully defended their title, claiming the franchise's fifth championship in seven years by taking the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Kerr hit the shot, a wide-open jumper that hit the bottom of the net with just five seconds left, putting the Bulls up 88-86. Then, after a Jazz timeout, Toni Kukoc deflected Bryon Russell's inbounds pass intended for Shandon Anderson in the direction of Scottie Pippen. Pippen stretched, got his hands on the ball and found a sprinting Kukoc for a wide-open slam.

Within the celebration of the moment -- Michael Jordan danced on the scorers' table -- was an enormous sense of relief. The Bulls finally were done with what they believed was their toughest Finals test ever. Read the full story.

Logo set in diamonds, platinum and a 14-karat gold setting.

Left side: Five basketball and net trophies.

Right side: "World Champions," "Team of the Decade," stadium image and NBA logo.

"I think it was bittersweet in the sense that it was the toughest route, toughest challenge in the six championships that we've won. I was more competitive than I ever was, because I wanted to win more than I ever did."

-- Michael Jordan

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 15, 1998:

If the final chapter of Michael Jordan's career was completed on Sunday night, his role in the final gripping moments of a sixth championship for the Chicago Bulls would forever mark the perfect ending.

With the capacity crowd at the Delta Center roaring in anticipation of a Utah victory that would have forced a seventh game of the NBA Finals, Jordan's steal and two scores in the last 37.1 seconds secured Chicago's shocking 87-86 triumph over the Jazz. And it was the fans in Chicago who got to celebrate victory, although in some areas it was marred by gunfire and several shootings.

The statistics will claim that Jordan's performance was less than artistic. Jordan's 45 points, his high for the playoffs this year, came on 15-of-35 shooting.

But with Scottie Pippen limited by a back injury, Ron Harper ill and Dennis Rodman ineffective, with Toni Kukoc's 15 points representing the team's only other double-figure scorer, the Bulls became most dependent on Jordan at the most important point of their season. Read the full story.

Round diamonds for six championships with alternating rows of round and baguette diamonds.

Left side: "World Champions 1998," NBA logo, "Repeat 3-Peat."

Right side: Bulls logo.

"We never had any egos on this team. I think that was what was really special about this club."

-- Jermaine Dye, White Sox right fielder

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 26, 2005:

The White Sox completed their incredible conquest Wednesday night, eliminating the final demons that haunted the franchise since their last World Series title in 1917.

They completed their stunning run in a manner that mirrored their amazingly successful season, riding the pitching of Freddy Garcia and the bullpen to a 1-0 victory over Houston and completing a four-game sweep of the 2005 World Series.

"In sports, I haven't had a greater feeling," said general manager Ken Williams, whose transformation of a franchise to an emphasis on pitching and defense was rewarded greatly in the final game.

The players celebrated on the field and in the clubhouse, where Williams was doused with champagne after hoisting the World Series trophy.

"Enjoy it and be safe," slugger Paul Konerko advised several thousand fans who gathered behind the dugout to celebrate.

The Sox snapped the second-longest World Series drought in history. The longest dry spell, 97 years, belongs to the Cubs, followed by Cleveland at 57. Read the full story.

Ninety nine diamonds -- one for each win -- set in black onyx and 14-karat gold.

Left side: MLB logo.

Right side: "World Champions," 2005 and playoff record (11-1).

"It was crazy. At the moment it's just like, 'We won the Stanley Cup' and that's all you're thinking about. To play this game, this is the only thing I want to do in the world and be a part of moments like this."

-- Patrick Kane, Blackhawks right wing

This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 10, 2010:

After nearly half a century, the Stanley Cup again belongs to Chicago.

The Blackhawks brought it home for themselves and their fans -- both long-suffering and those who jumped on board during a remarkable resurgence that began just three seasons ago -- when they defeated the Flyers 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night at a raucous Wachovia Center.

The NHL championship is the Hawks' first since 1961, snapping 49 years without the coveted Cup in their grasp and is their fourth in a team history that began in 1926 as members of the Original Six franchises.

Jonathan Toews, the youngest captain in the league at 22 years old, hoisted the Cup as the Hawks celebrated on the ice in front of a stunned Philadelphia crowd that saw the Flyers' miraculous postseason run come to a crashing halt.

Patrick Kane scored the game-winner 4 minutes, 6 seconds into overtime and Dustin Byfuglien, Patrick Sharp and Andrew Ladd also had goals. Goaltender Antti Niemi claimed his team-record 16th victory in a postseason.

The win capped a dramatic turnaround for the organization that began with the drafting of Kane with the top overall selection in 2007, continued with the ascension of Rocky Wirtz to team chairman following the death of his father, William, and the hiring of John McDonough as team president. Read the full story.

Diamond inlay in 14-karat white gold. Blackhawks logo over the Stanley Cup is set with round brilliant and marquis cut diamonds for feathers.

Left side: Tomahawk logo made of rubies, emeralds and yellow diamonds on the left side.

Originally posted here:
Chicago sports teams have won 12 championships since 1985 with the Bulls winning 6. Here's a look at all their rings. - Chicago Tribune