Turn Back The Clock: 8 of the Most Historic Rivalries in Professional Sports
Rivalries are an important part of sports. They give the sports fan that match up to look forward to every year. Rivalries turn friends and families against each other. They give games a relationship of love/ hate.
Although there are many rivalries in sports today, we're going to look back at 8 of some of the most historic rivalries in all of North American sports.
Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs
1 of 8
Established: 1917
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens have been long, bitter rivals since the NHL was formed in 1917. It is the oldest rivalry in the history of the NHL. Both part of the "Original Six", this rivalry features two of the most historic franchises in hockey history. Both teams have won a combined 37 Stanley Cups; 24 for Montreal and 13 for Toronto. The Maple Leafs won the inaugural Stanley Cup in 1917, but have not won a Cup since 1967, the longest active drought in the NHL. The Canadiens were founded in 1909 as part of the old National Hockey Association (NHA).
From 1944 to 1978, these two teams faced off 12 times in the playoffs, including five Stanley Cup Finals. This rivalry was ignited by a conflict during the 1750's when the battle was fought over English-speaking Canada (Toronto), and French-speaking Canada (Montreal). It has generated fierce competition on the ice since the founding of the NHL.
Montreal Canadiens: 44 Hall of Famers
24 Stanley Cups
15 Retired Numbers
Notable Players: Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Georges Vezina, Jacques Plante, Guy Lafleur, Lorne "Gump" Worsley, Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 57 Hall of Famers
13 Stanley Cups
2 Retired Numbers (15 Honored Numbers)
Notable Players: Jack Adams, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Hap Day, Dick Duff, Darryl Sittler.
Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals
2 of 8
Established: 1885
It is no secret that these two teams do not like each other. For the last 125 years, the Cubs and Cardinals rivalry has been a huge part of baseball. The Cardinals have always been the more successful team of the two, having won 10 World Series. The Cubbies have yet to play in a World Series since 1945, and haven't won a World Series in over a century. Both cities are separated by 300 miles, which makes the location just as intense as the series. Legendary sports caster Harry Caray broadcasted for both the Cardinals and the Cubs, adding more tenacity to the rivalry. Caray announced for the Cardinals from 1945-1969, and broadcasted for the Cubs from 1981 until his death in 1998.
To add to this historic rivalry, in 1998 St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire and Chicago slugger Sammy Sosa had one of the most exciting home run chases in Major League history. Both men eclipsed the previous record for home runs in a season previously held by Roger Maris (61). McGwire finished the season with a new MLB record of 70, while Sosa finished close behind with 66.
St. Louis Cardinals: 10 World Series Titles (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982,
Famous Ball Parks: Sportsman's Park (1902-1966)
Busch Stadium (1966-2005)
Notable Players: Stan "The Man" Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Rogers Hornsby, Ozzie Smith
Chicago Cubs: 2 World Series Titles (1907, 1908)
Famous Ball Park: Wrigley Field (1916- present)
Notable Players: Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Ferguson Jenkins, Gabby Hartnett, Sammy Sosa
Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos
3 of 8
Established: 1960
The Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos were both founded as part of the original AFL in 1960. They have been bitter rivals ever since, making the Raiders-Broncos rivalry one of the most heated and historic rivalries in the NFL today. Although little memorable action occurred during the original years, Oakland owned the division during the mid-1970's, with the Broncos stealing the thunder during the late part of the decade. The rivalry took a nasty turn in the 1977 AFC Championship game when the Broncos defeated the Raiders over a controversial fumble call. Oakland and Denver have combined to win 23 of 37 AFC West division titles, with the Raiders taking 13, and the Broncos winning 10. The Raiders own the all time record against the Broncos. (57-41-2)
Oakland Raiders: 3 Super Bowl Titles (XI, XV, XVIII)
13 Hall of Famers
Current Owner: Al Davis (1966- present)
Famous Raiders: Tim Brown, Marcus Allen, Kenny Stabler, Jim Plunkett, John Madden, Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda
Denver Broncos: 2 Super Bowl Titles (XXXII, XXXIII)
3 Hall of Famers
Current Owner: Pat Bowlen (1984- present)
Famous Broncos: John Elway, Frank Tripucka, Floyd Little, Tom Jackson, Terrell Davis
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Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants
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Established: 1889
From their early roots in New York, to their recent years in California, the Dodgers and Giants have given meaning to the word rivalry. These two teams have had over 2,100 meetings, making it the most played rivalry in Major League Baseball. The two teams have a combined 11 World Series titles. (6 to the Dodgers, and 5 to the Giants) Both teams moved from New York City to the sunshine state of California after the 1957 season. The Dodgers ended up in southern California, while the Giants landed in the bay area. One of the most famous memories in Dodgers-Giants history is New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round The World". It helped the Giants capture the 1951 National League Pennant over their hated rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 6 World Series Titles (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988)
Famous Ball Parks: Ebbets Field (Brooklyn) (1913-1957)
Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) (1962-present)
Famous Dodgers: Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Tommy Lasorda
San Francisco Giants: 6 World Series Titles (1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954, 2010)
Famous Ball Parks: Polo Grounds (New York) (1911-1957)
Candlestick Park (San Francisco) (1960-1999)
Famous Giants: Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Mel Ott, Barry Bonds
Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers
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Established: 1921
Arguably the biggest rivalry in the NFL, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have met 180 times. (The Bears lead the series with a record of 92-82-6). Both teams have been loaded with storied players and coaches over time. George Halas of the Bears and Vince Lombardi of the Packers are two of the most famous coaches in NFL history.
The Packers were founded by Earl "Curly" Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun in 1919. During the same year, A.E. Staley founded the Chicago Bears, who were originally known as the Decatur Staleys, as they were originally started in a suburb of Chicago. During this intense rivalry, the Packers and Bears have combined to win 17 NFL Championships and four Super Bowls. The Bears have 26 members in the National Football Hall of Fame, while the Packers have 21.
Chicago Bears: Won 1st ever meeting with the Green Bay Packers 20-0 in 1921.
Famous Stadiums: Wrigley Field (1921- 1970)
Soldier Field (1971-present)
Famous Bears: Walter Payton, George Halas, Harold (Red) Grange, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka
Green Bay Packers: Won 10 straight meetings against the Bears from 1994-1998.
Famous Stadiums: City Stadium (1925-1956)
Lambeau Field "The Frozen Tundra" (1957-present)
Famous Packers: Earl "Curly" Lambeau, Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi, Reggie White, Brett Favre
Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics
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Established: 1948
From Cousy and Baylor, to Pierce and Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have the most heated and lopsided rivalry in the history of the NBA. Combined, the two teams have a total of 33 NBA Championships, more than half of the championships the NBA has ever featured (64). They are the two most successful franchises in the NBA. With 37 combined Hall of Famers, it is no secret these two teams have made their marks in NBA history. Together, the teams have met in the NBA Finals 12 times. (Celtics 9, Lakers 3)
In the 1960's the Celtics dominated the rivalry. 1959 was the first year the two teams ever met in the Finals. The Celtics would take the series in four games and would win the NBA Championship for the next seven years after their first against the Lakers.
The 1980's offered some bright spots for the rivalry. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird helped ignite the rivalry, and the Lakers and Celtics faced off three times in the Finals during the 80's. (The Celtics won in 1984 and the Lakers won in 1985 and 1987)
The rivalry has since been going strong with both teams meeting in the Finals in 2008 and 2010. (Boston won in 2008 and Los Angeles won in 2010)
Los Angeles Lakers: 16 NBA Championships
21 Hall of Famers
Famous Lakers: Jerry West, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant
Notable Coaches: John Kundla (Minneapolis) (1948-1959)
Pat Riley (Los Angeles) (1981-1990)
Phil Jackson (Los Angeles) (1999-2004) (2005-present)
Boston Celtics: 17 NBA Championships
16 Hall of Famers
Famous Celtics: Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Robert Parrish, Kevin McHale
Notable Coaches: Red Auerbach (1950-1966)
K.C. Jones (1983-1988)
Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns
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Established: 1950
The Steelers-Browns rivalry is the most historic rivalry currently running in the AFC. The distance between Cleveland and Pittsburgh makes this rivalry even more intense. Separated by less than 150 miles, the two teams have faced off for 60 years. Since the early roots of their battles, the Browns and Steelers have combined to win 14 NFL Championships. (Cleveland winning four when they were part of the AAFC, then the other four during the pre-Super Bowl era).
The Steelers did not defeat the Browns until 1954. By this time, Cleveland was a dominant force in the NFL. Both teams have historically known ownerships. (Pittsburgh under Art Rooney and Cleveland under Art Modell). Also, both teams have featured legendary coaches. (Chuck Noll for the Steelers, and Paul Brown for the Browns)
Both teams have only retired a total of six numbers. (Cleveland 5, Pittsburgh 1)
Although the rivalry is not as strong today as it once was, it still remains a historically, fierce rivalry in the NFL. It is no secret these two teams have a hatred for one another.
Cleveland Browns: Only team to neither host a Super Bowl or send a team to the Super Bowl.
Were considered "deactivated" in 1996 to relocate a franchise to Baltimore.
Notable Browns: Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Ozzie Newsome
Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 Super Bowl Championships (IX, X, XII, XIV, XL, XLII)
Own the rivalry between the Browns 61-56.
Notable Steelers: Terry Bradshaw, "Mean" Joe, Greene, Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, Chuck Noll
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox
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Established: 1901
It is the most talked about rivalry in sports today.Boston and New York. It's all that needs to be said. Although they meet 18 times during the regular season, the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry will always be a part of Major League Baseball history. It features two of the most recognizable teams in the world, and their roots date back to the turn of the 20th century. Both teams play in historic ball parks. (although the original Yankee Stadium was recently replaced with the new Yankee Stadium.) And it's no secret, Babe Ruth graced both of these teams with his presence. This would later be called "The Curse of the Bambino".
Ruth, Williams, DiMaggio, Foxx, Berra, Speaker....these are only a handful of names that have graced this intense rivalry. The Yankees have won 27 World Series Championships in their historic history, the most of any team in North American sports. The Red Sox have only taken seven in comparison, with a span of 86 years from their fifth to their sixth. Together, the two teams have met over 2,000 times.
New York Yankees: 27 World Series Titles
44 Hall of Famers
Famous Ball Park: Yankee Stadium (1923-2008) "The House That Ruth Built"
Notable Yankees: Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Casey Stengle, Reggie Jackson
Boston Red Sox: 7 World Series Titles
Won inaugural World Series in 1903. (Boston Americans)
Famous Ball Park: Fenway Park (1912- present)
Notable Red Sox: Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, Bobby Doerr
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