The 25 Biggest Wins by San Francisco Bay Area Teams
The 2010 San Francisco Giants are going to the World Series.
There's a sentence that seemed highly unlikely before the season and even as late as August. In fact, it seemed pretty darn far-fetched as recently as October 11th—the day los Gigantes beat the Atlanta Braves and found the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies guarding the path to the Fall Classic.
But all the Phightins' firepower couldn't overcome the scintillating starting pitching and brilliant-when-it-needed-to-be relief corps.
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Brian Wilson, Javier Lopez, Jeremy Affeldt and rookie-phenom Madison Bumgarner (in both a starting gig and as a fireman) suffocated the explosive bats toted to the dish by Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and the rest of the Philly offense.
Meanwhile, Cody Ross took his turn at the head of the "Unlikely Heroes" table, grabbing NL Championship Series Most Valuable Player honors on the strength of his three big flies and timely contribution (he led the Giants with five runs batted in). Juan Uribe and Freddy Sanchez were almost as critical in support of Ross, and Buster Posey even made his contributions.
At the moment, the clincher in Game 6 of the NLCS feels like the biggest win in the history of the Bay Area.
These Giants are a likable bunch of misfits with no real centerpiece on offense and a unique blend of bright-eyed youngsters anchored by grizzled veterans getting their first tastes of postseason baseball plus some retreads. They were underdogs in the truest sense against a big money juggernaut with a World Series ring not two-years-old, other-worldly talent all over the diamond, and aces three-deep in the starting rotation.
Yet the good guys won.
Despite no home-field advantage and no chance in hell according to the experts (some moron at ESPN still won't acknowledge that SF outplayed Philly).
It's one for the ages, but only time and perspective will tell exactly where the 2010 NLCS victory ranks on the list of biggest wins in San Francisco Bay Area history. Until then, here are 25 of its toughest competitors:
No. 25—Oakland Athletics Sweep San Francisco Giants in 1989 World Series
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As a die-hard San Francisco Giant fan who was there to see his beloved team get swept out of its first World Series in 27 years on his birthday, it took great effort to include this abomination at all.
The simple fact of the matter is that the San Francisco teams dominate the Bay Area—Oakland and San Jose sides don't like hear it, but it's painfully true.
That's why the Giants and 49ers get top billing in the local press and on the national scene. There are simply more eyes and ears consuming information about the City teams (and spending the correlating dollars).
Consequently, the 1989 World Series represents part agony and part ecstasy for the Bay Area, but more agony. Especially in light of the tragic Loma Prieta Earthquake that delayed the series and devastated the locals.
Nevertheless, the Athletics' fourth World Series title while in Oakland demands placement in the top 25 out of respect for the jubilation of those fans who had something to cheer while we all picked up the pieces.
No. 24—Cal Bears Beat Stanford Cardinal in the 1982 Big Game
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Ugh.
Another one that takes some swallowing to get down and another bittersweet victory for the Bay Area. As a Stanford alumnus, I can tell you The Play is re-aired FAR too frequently.
Of course, my younger sister—a graduate of UC Berkeley—probably can't get enough of her Cal Bears indiscriminately marauding through the poor, innocent Stanford Band members.
Alas, it's an iconic Bay Area moment, and the numbers are against the good guys here (Stanford). The locals are much fonder of the public school nestled right on the Bay as opposed to the private enclave way down in Palo Alto.
Additionally, the 1982 Big Game was the final game in the storied collegiate career of Mr. John Elway. In other words, Oski is probably still relishing this win.
If there were more at stake than a trip to a perfunctory bowl game, this would be even higher. Thankfully, the middling records of both schools entering the 85th Big Game saves me that indignity.
No. 23—Santa Clara Broncos Upset Arizona Wildcats in 1993 NCAA Tournament
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OK, we're out of the cheers and tears section of the countdown, onto the unmitigated joy portion.
It kicks off with the Santa Clara Broncos and their scrappy, screwball point guard—the two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash.
Despite not being recruited by any American schools, Santa Clara head coach Dick Davey saw fit to bring in the lightning quick ball-handler, and Nash rewarded him handsomely. In the 1992-93 season—Nash's first at Santa Clara—the team would win the West Coast Conference title.
Additionally, the future Phoenix Sun great would lead the squad to the NCAA tournament and a monumental challenge against the No. 2-seeded Arizona Wildcats. In one of the greatest tourney upsets of all time, the No. 15 Broncos used six freethrows in the last 30 seconds by their point guard to become one of only four No. 15 seeds to take out a No. 2.
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No. 22—San Jose Sharks Beat Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of 1994 Quarterfinals
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The San Jose Sharks are beginning to win over a larger and larger population in the Bay Area, but they still face an uphill climb to establish themselves in the local consciousness alongside the other major professional sports teams.
After all, no matter how successful they become, the Sharks still play freakin' hockey. Blah.
I kid, I kid.
But hockey does trail badly behind football, baseball and basketball so—combine that with the fact that San Jose has been a perennial underachiever in the postseason—and arguably the biggest win in franchise history settles all the way down at No. 22.
Team Teal was in its first playoff trip in franchise history against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Red Wings, who are a little like the New York Yankees of the NHL as far as I can tell. Not only that, San Jose was on the road for the decisive Game 7 at Joe Lewis Arena.
In the face of all that adversity, Jamie Baker scored the game-winner, and the Sharks skated off the ice winners of the 3-2 clincher.
No. 21—Cal Bears Upset Duke Blue Devils in 1993 NCAA Tournament
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There really is nothing like upsetting the Duke Blue Devils.
Whether you enjoy it because you hate the success bred by Mike Krzyzewski and his superlative program or because you recognize the significant achievement in beating the class of college basketball (my mom and cousin are Duke grads so I'm in that latter group), there is nothing in college basketball like sending the Dukies to their locker room and cars as losers.
(Sorry Uncle Charley, it's true and even worse, you could say the same thing about besting Notre Dame football.)
Which means the Cal Bears were very near the top of the CBB world when they entered the second round of the tourney as the No. 6 seed and upended the No. 3-seeded Blue Devils. Though Jason Kidd and company would bow out in the Sweet 16, they were the toast of the collegiate basketball world for that week layoff.
Duke was at the height of its powers at the time; indeed, the loss to Cal would be the only time in Bobby Hurley's legendary career that he would fail to reach the Final Four.
No. 20—Cal Bears Beat USC Trojans in Triple OT on September 27, 2003
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In Northern California, the college football equivalent of beating Duke is knocking the USC Trojans down a peg or three—the more, the better.
In 2003, the Men of Troy were a sight to behold.
They boasted Mat Leinart, Reggie Bush, Steve Smith, Lofa Tatupu, LenDale White, Mike Williams and several other talents who would go on to play on Sundays. The squad would lose only one game en route to the a Rose Bowl thumping of the Michigan Wolverines and the AP National Championship.
But that one loss kept them out of the BCS game and from being recognized as the undisputed National Champions.
For those imperfections, the Trojans can thank the Cal Bears and a boisterous home crowd at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley of over 50,000 strong.
Because it was a trip to the Bay Area and a triple-overtime battle of attrition that cost USC a perfect season and another crystal football.
No. 19—San Francisco Giants Beat Los Angeles Dodgers on September 18, 1997
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If you spot a San Francisco Giant cap on the street and the name "Brian Johnson" doesn't elicit an immediate smile, the wearer is either under the age of 18 or a new addition to the bandwagon.
Because any fan who was five or six on that fateful day 13 years ago will always remember the journeyman catcher. His game-winning home run against the hated Los Angeles Dodgers in the thick of a pennant chase made him the most beloved individual in the City for about a week and an immortal sports figure in the Bay Area.
The big fly in the 12th inning was not only a walk-off job against a blood rival, but it also moved San Francisco into a tie atop the NL West with those same Bums.
Though the season would end on a sour note against the best Florida Marlins money could buy, that was after the Gents out-gunned the Dodgers for the NL West flag.
And it probably wouldn't have happened if not for Brian Johnson.
No. 18—San Francisco 49ers Beat Green Bay Packers in the 1999 Wild Card Round
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There have been a couple bogeymen during my time as a San Francisco 49er fan.
One was exorcised on this afternoon at Candlestick Park. That would be No. 4, Brett Favre, who started harassing the Bay Area way back in 1995 and is still up to his tedious antics to this day.
But they never bothered us as much after Steve Young connected with Terrell Owens for a 25-yard touchdown that finally drove a stake through the Green Bay Packers' heart and ushered the Niners through to the next round of the playoffs (where they'd lose).
It was an accomplishment that had evaded them the three previous trips to the postseason, three consecutive trips.
I can still remember jumping out of my chair when T.O. caught a beautifully thrown ball from Young, got crushed between two defenders and still managed to cling to the pigskin in a game that really brought his case of dropsies to the public's attention.
Yeah, yeah, Jerry Rice probably fumbled the ball away moments earlier if not for some shoddy officiating. I don't care and neither does anyone else around here.
No. 17—San Francisco Giants Beat St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the 2002 NLCS
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The San Francisco version of the Giants has only been the World Series four times.
Well, technically, they've only been there three times as the 2010 Fall Classic hasn't actually started yet, but you get my meaning—1962, 1989, 2002 and now 2010.
That's it.
Since the 1958 Major League Baseball season—53 campaigns if you include the strike-shortened 1994 slate—four is the sum total of trips to the entrance of the Promised Land.
In 1962, the Orange and Black came about an inch away from the championship. Twenty-seven years later, Mother Nature, Dave Stewart and Mike Moore conspired to keep San Francisco from winning even a single contest as they were swept out of the Classic.
Then came 2002 and a seemingly ill-fated date with the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. But, much like this year against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Gents found a way to win four games and advance to their third World Series since moving from coast to coast.
When Kenny Lofton got the last word in his little spat with the Redbirds and drove in David Bell with the decisive run in the ninth inning of Game 5, the celebration began.
And it didn't end until the baseball ghosts of the '89 World Series were forever banished.
To be replaced by much worse ones.
No. 16—San Francisco 49ers Beat Dallas Cowboys in the 1995 NFC Championship Game
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Ah, the sight of Troy Aikman on his knees surrounded by San Francisco 49ers launching themselves at him with cruel intentions brings a smile to my lips and a tear (of happiness) to my eye.
Short of the Los Angeles Dodgers, there is no team more hated in the Bay Area than the Triplet-led Dallas Cowboys.
Year-after-year, it seemed Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and that damn offensive line were the only collective that could stop the Niners from yet another Super Bowl title. And year-after-year, it seemed the 'Pokes did just that.
In 1992-93 regular season, Steve Young steered San Francisco to a 14-2 record only to get smushed by Dallas in the NFC Championship game.
In 1993-94, a 10-6 regular season went up in smoke at the hands of Dallas yet again.
But Young and the Niners finally got their revenge in 1994-95. A 13-3 campaign landed them back in yet another NFC Championship game against Dallas. This time, however, San Francisco would emerge with a 38-28 victory and ride the momentum to its fifth Super Bowl ring.
No. 15—Golden State Warriors Beat Dallas Mavericks in the 2007 NBA Playoffs
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If you followed the 2006-07 Golden State Warriors, you were cautiously optimistic when they drew the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
Sure, the Mavs were the No. 1 seed, were led by one of the best players in the Association in Dirk Nowitzki and had just completed one of the most dominant regular seasons in the history of the NBA. But they had also lost all three of the regular-season meetings with the Warriors.
In other words, "We Believe" wasn't just an empty slogan or a pie-in-the-sky optimism. There were legitimate reasons to have faith in advance beyond the first round for Golden State, a development unheard of since the days of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Run TMC.
The Oracle Arena was bursting at the seams as the relentless crowd urged on Baron Davis and his cohorts to the historic upset. To this day, it's probably the craziest sports scene the Bay Area has witnessed, but it drifts down the ladder of big wins because it was only a first-round series and the momentum petered out quickly once the Utah Jazz came to town (or Golden State went there).
No. 14—San Francisco Giants Beat Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 1989 NLCS
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That this gem falls all the way down to No. 14 is both a testament to the lack of San Francisco Giant big wins when juxtaposed against the plurality of significant triumphs authored by the Niners, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Athletics and Golden State Warriors.
If you're a Giant loyalist, then this is probably your favorite moment in San Francisco franchise history. Unless, of course, you're a bit more...ahem, experienced in a worldly sense. In that case, we'll get to your cup of tea in a couple slides.
But for those in my generation, the 1989 NLCS triumph over the Chicago Cubs is the cats pajamas. It sent San Francisco to its first World Series in almost three decades and made the Fall Classic an all Bay Area engagement.
For me, it started my love affair with the club in earnest.
Those of us who've ever been in love know that nothing is ever quite as momentous as that period after you first fall ass over tea kettle—every happy moment makes you forget an alternative exists while each moment of pain is an agony from which there is no humanly relief.
When my childhood idol (non-parental category), Will Clark singled up the spine off Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, I was convinced there would never be a greater feeling.
Cut me some slack, I was in fifth grade.
And I would learn the error of my ways soon enough.
No. 13—Oakland Raiders Beat Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV
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This is the most vanilla of all the Bay Area championships, at least through the prism of history.
It was the Oakland Raiders' second Lombardy Trophy, and it was only four years after the Raiders won their first title i.e. it lacked the novelty of an original ring or a back-to-back pair, but it wasn't quite remote enough for the faithful to have grown desperate for a return to glory.
Additionally, though the Wild Card Silver and Black were underdogs, they jumped out to a 14-point early lead, and the matter was never really in doubt from there until the final horn.
Jim Plunkett did become only the second Heisman Trophy winner to also take home Super Bowl MVP honors, and Oakland scored on an 80-yard touchdown, but the suspense was lacking.
Still, there's nothing like a championship to light up a fanbase, and the Raiders' second Super Bowl win did just that.
No. 12—San Francisco Giants Beat Los Angeles Dodgers on October 3, 1962
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Here it is, the biggest win in the history of the San Francisco Giants.
Until further notice (knock on wood).
In 1962, the fifth in since the Gents moved from New York to the City, the team made a mad dash to the finish line and managed to catch the hated Dodgers, also in their fifth season since the move from Brooklyn. The deadlock necessitated a three-game tiebreaker to determine who would represent the Senior Circuit in the World Series against the New York Yankees.
San Francisco would win the first game of the three-game series by beating Sandy Koufax—no easy task. Los Gigantes dropped the second game in Los Angeles, which meant the entire ball of wax came down to one final game in Chavez Ravine.
Dodger Stadium must've been rocking that day as the Bums entered the top of the ninth inning with a two-run lead and the inside track on a trip to the Fall Classic.
But a four-run rally—keyed by a bases-loaded single off the bat of Willie Mays and a bases-loaded walk that plated the eventual winning run—gave the good guys their winning margin and ushered them on to the Series.
Where it all went horribly awry.
No. 11—San Francisco 49ers Beat Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX
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The first of the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl championships on our list is actually the second in the illustrious history of the franchise. Much like the Oakland Raiders' second title, this one doesn't have much sizzle when placed alongside the others.
It came three years after Joe Montana and Bill Walsh broke the championship seal on the Niners' organization and, though it did deny Dan Marino his best shot at the elusive Super Bowl ring, there wasn't much else about which to get excited.
San Francisco was favored and, though the teams combined for a then-record 33 wins heading into the game, Miami never really joined the affair. The Niners pounded the Fins into submission, eventually winning a 38-16 laugher and watching Joe Cool take down his second MVP award.
But even a mundane championship is still well worth the price of admission.
And the Bay Area was just getting started enjoying the sight.
No. 10—Oakland Athletics Beat Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of 1974 World Series
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Younger baseball fans—and I'm including 35-year-olds here, so enjoy it while you can—might not realize that the Oakland Athletics clubs from the early 1970s were nothing with which to trifle.
The 1974 club won the last of the World Series until the Bay Bridge version, and it did so without much drama. The A's took out the Baltimore Orioles and their vaunted pitching staff (though not at its peak) three-games-to-one, then moved on to take the World Series from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Though it only took five games, but they were mostly taught affairs—four of the contests ended with a score of 3-2, including the only game the Dodgers won.
Game 5 was one of the quartet and featured a solo bomb from current color commentator Ray Fosse as well as a seventh-inning homer from Joe Rudi that provided the winning margin.
Rollie Fingers closed it out, and the A's had their back-to-back-to-back championships.
No. 9—Oakland Athletics Beat New York Mets in Game 7 of the 1973 World Series
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In truth, Game 7 was a tepid end to what started out as an incredibly intense affair between the A's and the New York Mets.
Game 1 went to Oakland at home by the score of 2-1. Game 2 was a 10-7 slugfest that was decided by a four-run explosion from the Metropolitans in the 12th inning, followed by a one-run whimper in reply from the A's. Game 3 also went extra frames, with the now-home-standing Mets dropping a 3-2 contest to the A's in 11.
The rest of the games were quite as close with the A's taking the clincher by a 5-2 margin (and a 5-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth), but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm for the club's second consecutive World Series ring.
No. 8—San Francisco 49ers Beat Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV
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This was the fourth of the San Francisco 49ers' titles, and it wasn't much of a game at all. The unfortunate victims this time around were the pre-Mike Shanahan Denver Broncos, who were hamstrung by an ugly egg laid by John Elway.
The Niners got off to a bit of a slow start, and by that I mean they had to punt on their second possession (the first resulted in seven points).
But a Bronco fumble promptly kick started Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, John Taylor and company as the offense rattled off 34 unanswered points. The defense chipped in by collecting four turnovers, including two Elway picks and an Elway fumble.
When the carnage was over, Joe Montana had his third Super Bowl MVP in four chances, and the City had its first back-to-back champions.
No. 7—Golden State Warriors Sweep Washington Bullets in the 1975 NBA Finals
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The one and only Golden State Warrior title falls a couple spots short of the top five because, while there's always been a viciously loyal core fan base for the team, the fever's only become widespread in the last couple of decades—aided greatly by the rise in popularity of basketball, in general.
Otherwise, this burner would be hard to displace.
Although the Warriors came into the series a substantial underdog to the star-studded Washington Bullets—they featured Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld—Golden State would sweep away the favorites, winning the finale on the Bullets' home floor.
Game 7 was the most dramatic contest of the series.
It featured an on-court scrape between Warrior head coach Al Attles and Washington defensive wiz Mike Riordan, who'd been shadowing (and bruising) Rick Barry to that point. Attles got the boot and Barry responded with a scoring jag that put the team in position to win the title, then Butch Beard sealed the deal with two freethrows and a 96-95 win.
No. 6—San Francisco 49ers Beat Dallas Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Championship Game
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The Dallas Cowboys ended the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl dreams in the 1970-71 NFC Championship game.
The Dallas Cowboys ended the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl dreams in the 1971-72 NFC Championship game.
The Dallas Cowboys ended the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl dreams in the 1972-73 NFC Divisional playoffs.
So, yes, The Catch belongs ahead of three Bay Area Super Bowl titles, three Oakland World Series championships, and the only NBA Finals victory the area has seen. San Francisco and most of the near vicinity will always belong to the Giants because they were the first big thing, but the Niners are making up some ground and it all started in the 1981-82 season.
Though we'll see the crowning moment a bit later, the NFC Championship game and Joe Montana's pass to Dwight Clark made it all possible.
San Francisco had a 21-17 leading entering the fourth quarter, but the 'Pokes came storming back with 10 in the final 15 minutes for a 27-21 lead. But, with less than 60 seconds left in the game, Montana found Clark in the back of the end zone and the rest is history.
No. 5—San Francisco 49ers Beat San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX
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I might draw some heat for this because the game was such a slaughter, but it was Steve Young's first and only Super Bowl victory as the starting quarterback. Those of us who sympathized with the Stormin' Mormon due to the City's unwillingness to allow him to step from Joe Montana's shadow mark the 49-26 shellacking as one of the greatest wins in Bay Area sporting history.
And there are more than a few of us.
The southpaw used the overmatched San Diego Chargers as a template for one of the best individual Super Bowl performances the game has ever seen on his way to MVP honors.
The title didn't vault Young passed Joe Cool by any means nor did it make San Francisco forget about No. 16, but it brought both parties—player and fans—some peace and closure.
No. 4—Oakland Raiders Beat Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI
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Again, this wasn't much of a game as the Oakland Raiders erupted for 16 points in the second quarter after a scoreless first 15 minutes by both teams. The Minnesota Vikings wouldn't join the scoring party until the third quarter with a touchdown, but by then, it was already too late.
John Madden's squad would tack on a field goal and then another 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Raiders pulled away for a 32-14 win.
The Silver and Black had the franchise's first Super Bowl, but it also represented the first time the NFL's crown jewel had been delivered to the Bay Area.
It was also Madden's only ring, but it was good enough to get his bust into Canton.
No. 3—San Francisco 49ers Beat Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII
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The poor, poor city of Cincinnati—we've got three slides left and the Queen City lands a representative on all three of 'em.
The first is the legendary John Candy Game.
You know the story, the San Francisco 49ers were trailing the Cincinnati Bengals and the Ickey Woods Shuffle by three points with less than four minutes remaining in the game. Right before starting what would ultimately be the game-winning touchdown drive, Joe Montana pointed to the stands and asked his huddle whether the comedian was in the stands.
And, with that, Joe Cool became immortal.
Or with that and the subsequent 92-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 10-yard strike to John Taylor for the decisive margin.
That helped, too.
No. 2—Oakland Athletics Beat Cincinnati Reds in Game 7 of the 1972 World Series
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The 1972 Oakland Athletics brought the Bay Area its first championship in a major sport by beating the Cincinnati Reds and the epic Big Red Machine.
Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez powered the Redlegs while the A's retaliated with Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. Reggie Jackson was in the Oakland dugout but wouldn't play due to a hamstring injury.
Luckily for the Elephants, Gene Tenace did his best imitation of the eventual Mr. October by launching four taters and driving in nine runs while reaching base at a .400 clip.
In the end, though, it was the Oakland pitching that was the key.
Ken Holtzman, Hunter, Vida Blue and Fingers made one-run leads hold up in Games 1, 2 and 4 before the Reds staged a mini-upheaval in Games 5 and 6, winning 5-4 and 8-1, respectively.
Then Oakland manager Dick Williams pulled out all the stops in Game 7, throwing Blue Moon Odom, Hunter, Holtzman and Fingers at Cinci in that order. The all-hands-on-deck approach worked as the combination coughed up two runs but had three with which to work.
When Fingers slammed the door in the ninth, the Bay Area had its title.
No. 1—San Francisco 49ers Beat Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI
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By the time the San Francisco 49ers won their first Super Bowl title over the Cincinnati Bengals, all the other major professional franchises in the Bay Area had reached the pinnacles of their respective sports except for the hometown Giants.
Which probably explains a small part of the reason the Niners and Gents reign supreme by the San Francisco Bay—everyone loves an underdog and, until you win the big one, you're the underdog.
Thanks to their run through the 1980s and early 1990s, the 49ers shed the stigma and the evolution began with the 1981-82 season. Joe Montana was all on his lonesome for this won...between the sidelines at least.
No Jerry Rice, no Roger Craig, no problem.
He still had Bill Walsh patrolling outside them, and that's no small advantage.
Nevertheless, Super Bowl XVI was the beginning of Montana's myth and for good reason. He won the first of his Super Bowl MVP awards by marshaling three scoring drives in the first two quarter while the defense stifled the Bungals. The result was a 20-0 half-time lead from which the opposition was never able to recover.
Though they got as close as 20-14, Montana would lead his charges on another scoring drive that covered 50 yards and consumed almost five minutes of clock time. One final turnover by Cinci made the formality official.
The game gave the City its first championship in thrilling fashion and launched the legends of Joe Montana as well as Bill Walsh.
For those reasons and many others, the San Francisco 49ers' victory in Super Bowl XVI is the greatest win the Bay Area has ever seen.
Subject to change...
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