It will go down as one of the most memorable shots in an incomparable career. Thirty years ago on May 7, Michael Jordan went up, up, up and Craig Ehlo and the Cleveland Cavaliers went down. What else was going on in the sports world around the time of the shot that advanced the Chicago Bulls and added to an epic legacy?
The Dallas Cowboys select …
A couple weeks before Jordan connected, the Dallas Cowboys went into the NFL Draft with the first pick. They made a selection that would begin the franchise’s turnaround, choosing UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman. It took a year to get things going but in the end Aikman and Dallas won three Super Bowls.
The Green Bay Packers select …
The Packers’ pick did not work out anywhere near as good as Dallas’ did. He was a cover boy and known as “The Incredible Bulk,” but Tony Mandarich, an offensive lineman from Michigan State failed to live up to his billing in Wisconsin. He did have a somewhat successful go-round with the Indianapolis Colts, making the most of a second chance.
The Detroit Lions select …
Hall of Famers sandwiched the Packers’ bust of a draft pick. Detroit grabbed a running back out of Oklahoma State. Barry Sanders went on to a remarkable career in Motown. The 1988 Heisman winner rushed for 15,269 yards. He averaged a stunning 5.0 yards per carry, an incredible clip.
The Cowboys can a legend
Picking Troy Aikman wasn’t the only major move Dallas made in early to mid-1989. A fresh face named Jerry Jones was the new owner of the team and he made the stunning move of firing the franchise’s only coach to that point, the legendary Tom Landry. Jones brought in a former Arkansas teammate and then Miami Hurricans coach Jimmy Johnson.
‘The Genius’ steps down
Another coaching great walked away from the game. The San Francisco 49ers were NFL champs. Bill Walsh decided it was time to take leave. The Niners replaced “The Genius” with defensive coordinator George Seifert.
Dwight Gooden takes first loss
On May 7, 1989, Dwight Gooden came into his start with the Astros 5-0. He left with his first “L” of the season as Jim Deshaies and Houston zipped the Mets, 5-0
Sunday Silence wins the Kentucky Derby
The day before “The Shot” a great rivalry began to unfold in horse racing. Sunday Silence, trained by West Coast legend Charlie Whittingham, got the best of Easy Goer, the pride of the East Coast. Sunday Silence would go on to win the Preakness before Easy Goer would deny him the Triple Crown in the Belmont.
Flames capture Stanley Cup
In May of 1989, the Stanley Cup Final was an all-Canadian affair as the Montreal Canadiens faced the Calgary Flames. Les Habitants came out on the short side as Calgary skated to victory in six games. The series was tied at two games apiece before the Flames took the last two.
Kirby Puckett goes for quadruple doubles
On May 13, Kirby Puckett had quite the game. The Minnesota Twins’ superstar outfield hit four doubles, becoming the 35th player to accomplish the feat. He added two doubles the next day becoming the first player since 1948 to hit six doubles in a row.
Mike Schmidt retires
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman and future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt retired on May 29. Schmidt hit 548 home runs and drove in 1,595 runs. Schmidt was a 12-time National League All Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, six-time Silver Slugger winner, and three-time MVP.
Mike Tyson busted for speeding
After getting a speeding ticket in late April, Mike Tyson, was charged with traveling at an imprudent speed on that same Albany, NY, street May 5, for allegedly drag racing his white 1989 Lamborghini, a high-performance Italian car worth at least $100,000. On the first charge, Tyson later pleaded guilty to speeding, but at the lower rate of 60 mph, which drew a fine of $100 and a $17 court surcharge. Tyson pleaded guilty to the second charge, which drew a $200 fine plus the surcharge.
‘The Shot’
Michael Jordan eluded Craig Ehlo and drilled a mid-range floater to put the Bulls up, 99-98, with six seconds remaining of Game 5 of an Eastern Conference opening-round series. Ehlo then took a pass from Larry Nance and made a layup, giving the Cavs a 100-99 advantage with 3.2 seconds left. Too much time. Out of a Bulls’ timeout, Jordan caught the ball just beyond the 3-point arc. Jordan got to the top of the key with Ehlo leaping to block his shot “Air” lived up to his nickname by hanging in mid-air long enough for Ehlo to jump past him. Jordan’s shot hit nothing but net as the buzzer sounded. Ehlo crashed in agony as Jordan exulted. Cleveland’s Brad Daugherty, who played with Jordan at North Carolina, was in awe, calling it “unfathomable.” ”I don’t see how Michael stayed in the air that long. It’s the most outstanding shot I’ve ever seen.” The shot advanced Chicago but it would not lead to a championship. The Bulls fell to the Detroit Pistons, the eventual NBA champs, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
