Fansided

Picking the Sports Mount Rushmore for all 50 states

By Dave Stevenson

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Illinois

Illinois’ Mount Rushmore begins with the greatest basketball player of all-time: Michael Jordan. Jordan dominated the NBA from the moment he was in it. He led the Bulls to two separate three-peats for a total of six NBA titles. Jordan was also good enough at baseball to play in the minor leagues.

Frank Thomas was one of baseball’s biggest stars in the 1990’s and 2000’s with the Chicago White Sox. From 1994 to 2002, the only players better than him were Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Junior. Pretty good company to be in. He helped the White Sox win the World Series in 2005, even though he didn’t play in the postseason. That’s enough to get him on a Mount Rushmore.

Whenever anyone thinks of the Chicago Bears, the first name that comes to mind is Mike Ditka. Granted, Saturday Night Live likely has something to do with that, but Ditka was an excellent player and coach for the Bears. He is a deity in Chicago.

Bobby Hull has a really good case to be the fourth member of this Mount Rushmore, as does Phil Jackson, but Mr. Cub Ernie Banks is the most deserving candidate. Banks won consecutive MVPs in 1958 and 1959. When he retired, many considered him the best shortstop of all time.

Next: Washington