The 10 Best Chicago Professional Athletes of All Time

No. 10: Mike Ditka

1 Aug 1992: Head coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears looks on during Bears Training Camp at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

No. 9: Frank Thomas

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 17: Frank Thomas #35 of the Chicago White Sox readies to bat against the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington on August 17, 2003 in Arlington, Texas. The White Sox defeated the Rangers 6-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty I

No. 8: Scottie Pippen

8 May 1998: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls jumps to dunk the ball during the East Conference Semifinals against the Charlotte Hornets at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 103-83. Mandatory Credit: C

No. 7: Ryne Sandberg

1992: Second baseman Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs stands on the field during a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

No. 6: Gale Sayers

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 04: Former Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers rides in a parade before the Class of 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony August 4, 2007 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

No. 5: Stan Mikita

CHICAGO - APRIL 25: Former Chicago Blackhawks player Stan Mikita waves to the crowd prior to the start of play against the Calgary Flames during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 25, 2009 at the Un

No. 4: Dick Butkus

NEW ORLEANS - MAY 19: 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame member and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus takes time to sign footballs for fans in the Fox Cable Networks' booth at the The Cable Show in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on May 19

No. 3: Ernie Banks

CHICAGO - APRIL 25: Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks presents a plaque to Sammy Sosa #21 of the Chicago Cubs honoring Sosa for breaking Banks' Cubs' home run record of 512 before a game against the New York Mets on April 25, 2004 at Wrigley Field in Chica

No. 2: Walter Payton

22 Aug 1987: Walter Payton #34 of the Chicago Bears moves with the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Steelers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

No. 1 Michael Jordan

19 May 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during a Eastern Conference Finals game against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Pacers 104- 98.