Pro Sports in 1993

America and Canada both saw historic sports milestones in 1993. While the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bulls reigned supreme, the Toronto Blue Jays won a second consecutive World Series on a walk-off homer, and the Montreal Canadiens emerged as the last Canadian team to win a Stanley Cup. While stars like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana overcame physical and emotional challenges to make history, teams were performing unprecedented feats, from the Buffalo Bills’ unrivaled comeback on Wild Card Weekend to the Baltimore Orioles’ unveiling of their transformative ballpark design during All-Star Week. Drawing on original interviews with dozens of former players and coaches, this book revisits an exceptional sports year for fans across North America, with memorable stories involving some of the most iconic sports figures of the 1990s.

David Ostrowsky is a former contributing writer to the MetroWest Daily News, Jewish Advocate, and New England Patriots Gameday. He lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

David Ostrowsky
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 270
Bibliographic Info: 16 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8026-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4167-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1. Montana’s Last Stand 5

2. “An ­Old-Fashioned Ballpark with Modern Amenities” 34

3. When Michael Jordan (and the Chicago Bulls) Owned the NBA 62

4. Canada’s Last Stanley Cup 110

5. Shot Heard ’Round North America 139

6. How ’Bout Them Cowboys? 171

7. The Comeback Game 212

Epilogue 231

Chapter Notes 233

Bibliography 243

Index 249

• “Ostrowsky is a skilled and versatile writer, and his solid research and interviews with an array of participants makes each of these stories a worthwhile read.”—Buffalo News

• “David Ostrowsky deftly brings to life a sports year for the ages with his vivid memories of the Michael Jordan dynasty, Joe Montana’s last legitimate shot at a Super Bowl ring, Joe Carter’s epic World Series walk-off, and the reemergence of America’s Team in Dallas. This book is a true delight for fans who love to relive the moments on the field that make them feel forever young.”—Ian O’Connor, New York Times bestselling author of Belichick, The Captain, and Arnie & Jack

• “David paints a wonderful picture of the 1993 sports scene. He dramatically captures the magic of the Joe Montana and Marcus Allen led Chiefs season that was one to remember. From David’s descriptions, you don’t even have to be a Chiefs fan to understand how captivating 1993 was in Kansas City!”—Joe Valerio, former member of the Kansas City Chiefs and nominee for 1995 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

• “To be honest—1993 meant nothing to me. It was no different to my memories than 1992 or 1994. But then David Ostrowsky comes along with this love letter to a year that (who knew?) actually changed and redefined the sports landscape. Kirby Puckett! Joe Montana! Lenny Dykstra! Emmitt Smith! Who knew one sliver of calendar time could be so damn fun?”—Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author of Boys Will Be Boys and Showtime

• “Remember 1993, when Joe Montana hobbled off into the Kansas City sunset of his career and John Starks had the nerve to challenge Michael Jordan? David Ostrowsky not only remembers, he did his homework to research that wild year and to capture it with passion and style.”—Jonathan Eig, author of Luckiest Man, Opening Day, and Ali: A Life