The year 1997 consisted of Sports Championship winners Chicago Bulls (NBA), DC United (MLS), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Florida Marlins (MLB), Green Bay Packers (NFL)
HIGHLIGHTS
The
1997 NBA championship final series between the
Chicago Bulls and
Utah Jazz was a classic. It was a best-of-seven series with the Bulls winning the first three games and the Jazz winning the next two. The Bulls then clinched the championship in game six with a 90-86 win in
Utah. Michael Jordan was the MVP of the series, averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He was also the leading scorer in all six games. The Bulls won their fifth championship in seven years, and Jordan won his fifth championship ring. The Jazz put up a good fight, but the Bulls were simply too much for them.
The
1997 World Series pitted the
Florida Marlins against the
Cleveland Indians. The Marlins were in their fifth year of existence, while the Indians had not won a World Series since
1948. The Marlins took the series in seven games, becoming the first wild card team to win the World Series. The series was marked by strong pitching, with the Marlins' Livan Hernandez winning the MVP award. Game seven was a back-and-forth affair, with the Marlins scoring three runs in the ninth inning to take the lead, and the Indians tying it up in the bottom of the ninth. The Marlins then scored two runs in the top of the 11th, and closer, Edgar Renteria, closed out the game with a three-run homer. The Marlins' improbable run to the title was complete, and the Indians' championship drought extended another year.
The
1997 Stanley Cup Championship series between the
Detroit Red Wings and
Philadelphia Flyers was a hard-fought battle that went the full seven games. The Red Wings had home ice advantage and won the first game of the series by a score of 4-2. The Flyers then won the next two games to take a 2-1 series lead. The Red Wings then won the next two games to take a 3-2 series lead. The Flyers then won the next game to force a game 7. The Red Wings then won game 7 in overtime by a score of 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings were led by captain Steve Yzerman and goalie Mike Vernon, who were both awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for their outstanding performances throughout the playoffs.
The
1997 World Series pitted the
Florida Marlins against the
Cleveland Indians. The Marlins were in their fifth year of existence, while the Indians had not won a World Series since
1948. The Marlins took the series in seven games, becoming the first wild card team to win the World Series. The series was marked by strong pitching, with the Marlins' Livan Hernandez winning the MVP award. Game seven was a back-and-forth affair, with the Marlins scoring three runs in the ninth inning to take the lead, and the Indians tying it up in the bottom of the ninth. The Marlins then scored two runs in the top of the 11th, and closer, Edgar Renteria, closed out the game with a three-run homer. The Marlins' improbable run to the title was complete, and the Indians' championship drought extended another year.
The
1997 NFL Super Bowl was a thrilling match between the
Green Bay Packers and the
New England Patriots. The Packers, led by quarterback Brett Favre, had a 14-10 lead at halftime. The Patriots rallied back in the second half and eventually won the game 35-21. The Patriots were led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. The Packers' defense was unable to contain the Patriots' offense, and the Patriots defense was able to contain the Packers' offense. The Patriots' victory was their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.