The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Who Makes Your Chicago Hall of Fame?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 11, 2011 3:00PM

ESPN Chicago is asking for sports fans to help elect the first class for the Chicago Hall of Fame. 20 players from Our Town's five pro sports teams have been nominated; five will be enshrined.

A couple legends are locks. We imagine that Michael Jordan will be a unanimous selection, as should be the case for Walter Payton. After that, it gets a bit trickier. Only three more from a list of 17 that includes the likes of The Big Hurt and Ryno, Pippen and Phil, Hull, Halas and Ditka? How do we weigh individual achievements versus team success? Stars of the past to more recent stars? And how do we compare the popularity of the particular sports over the years? All are tough questions to consider.

ESPN had a number of their local and national experts share their votes. We voted the exact same ballot as Melissa Isaacson: Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Ernie Banks, Bobby Hull, Frank Thomas. Who do you think is worthy of enshrinement? Cast your vote and share here in the comments.