Favorite sports stories of 2022 from the Tribune sports staff

From the rebuilding Bears to the surprising Illini football team to the disappointing White Sox and everything in between, it was another busy year in Chicago sports. And our team was there to cover it all.

Here are the Tribune sports staff’s picks for their favorite stories from 2022. Thanks for your continued support!

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Brad Biggs’ picks

‘Relentless.’ ‘A terrific teacher.’ The ‘it factor.’ Those who have coached with and played for Matt Eberflus rave about his coaching potential.

Column: ‘This guy is a grand slam.’ Tracing the influences that shaped Luke Getsy, the architect of the Bears’ powerful running game.

Michael Vick reacts to Bears QB Justin Fields breaking his NFL record: ‘The next generation doing it just a little bit better’

Follow Brad on Twitter — and read all of his work here.

Chris Boghossian’s picks

Laurence Holmes goes from a solo act to a ‘powerhouse’ radio pairing with Dan Bernstein on the Score

Bob Vanderberg, a longtime Chicago Tribune editor and writer who was regarded as a White Sox historian, dies at 74

Follow Chris on Twitter — and read all of his work here.

Colleen Kane’s picks

Title IX turns 50: Meet 50 women in Illinois who have impacted sports on — and off — the field of play

How Matt Eberflus collected ideas from his mentors — and parents — during a 30-year journey to become Bears coach

How Justin Fields put together one of the best running seasons by a QB in NFL history: ‘The most incredible thing I’ve ever seen’

Follow Colleen on Twitter and Instagram — and read all of her work here.

Meghan Montemurro’s picks

Kyle Hendricks joined the Cubs in a franchise-altering trade 10 years ago. Here’s a look back at how it went down.

The story behind Frank Schwindel’s bond with a 7-year-old Cubs fan — and the quest to raise awareness of an unnamed disease

How the Cubs landed Seiya Suzuki: Team pitch in LA, secret Wrigley Field tour and a connection with Yu Darvish

Follow Meghan on Twitter and Instagram — and read all of her work here.

Julia Poe’s picks

DeMar DeRozan stayed true to his identity as the NBA game changed. Now the 5th-time All-Star is enjoying a career renaissance with the Bulls.

Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu continued his upward trajectory at the NBA’s Rising Stars event — while taking everything in stride

‘It takes work. It takes sacrifice.’ How Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley have set the standard for the Sky.

Follow Julia on Twitter — and read all of her work here.

LaMond Pope’s picks

White Sox 2022 review: What went right, what went wrong and what’s next after a season filled with disappointment

‘His contributions will always be remembered’: Hall induction arrives for Chicago White Sox icon Minnie Miñoso

‘Belief’ and ‘trust’ are key for 1st-year coach Drew Valentine, who has guided Loyola to its best start in 56 years

Follow LaMond on Twitter and Instagram — and read all of his work here.

Paul Sullivan’s picks

Column: From yuppies to ‘Cuppies,’ Wrigley Field bleachers are still the place to ignore the Cubs’ failures

Column: A tragic event in Highland Park became just another day at the ballpark — and in America

Column: No one knew Chicago like Mike Royko. And he offered lessons in journalism no teacher could pass on.

‘He could’ve ended his career’: Grayson Allen’s flagrant foul on Alex Caruso — resulting in a fractured wrist — draws the ire of the Bulls

Column: 7 reasons to root for Dusty Baker, whose unconventional managerial career has him back in the World Series for a 3rd time

Follow Paul on Twitter and Instagram — and read all of his work here.

Shakeia Taylor’s picks

Twins Chase and Sydney Brown went from Canada to Florida to Champaign — and now they’re propelling Illinois football’s resurgence

Dana Evans — a Sky fan growing up in Gary — is a big part of the WNBA champs’ future: ‘I can see it. I can feel it.’

‘Always going to be Chicago through and through:’ Jasmine Jordan on Jordan Brand, the importance of women in sneakers — and expanding the roster

Follow Shakeia on Twitter and Instagram — and read all of her work here.

Phil Thompson’s picks

Column: The Blackhawks promised transparency and accountability after the 2010 scandal. Rocky Wirtz’s belligerent outburst in a town hall showed neither.

Paul Ludwinski wanted to be the next Patrick Kane — but now the Blackhawks prospect is happy to follow in Jonathan Toews’ footsteps

Kyle Pugh savors a rare 8th season of eligibility with Northern Illinois — and even the jokes: ‘They call me grandpa’

Follow Phil on Twitter — and read all of his work here.

Dan Wiederer’s picks

‘He has just always loved a challenge.’ How Jon Scheyer prepared his whole life for the pressure — and privilege — of succeeding Coach K at Duke.

Patience, persistence and parades: Inside GM Ryan Poles’ championship visions for the Bears

‘You can see the hunger.’ What drives Justin Fields to change perceptions of the Bears offense in the QB’s 2nd season?

Follow Dan on Twitter — and read all of his work here.