“Whatever happened to predictability…”
We all know the words. We’ve all seen Danny Tanner, Uncle Jesse and the gang, more times than we’d like to admit.
Full House ran from 1987 to 1995 and John Stamos just announced he is co-producing a reboot that will premiere on Netflix next year. Which got me thinking, what the heck was happening in the sports world when the show first aired in 1987!?
Here’s what I found.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Year In Sports 1987 - Full House
Magic vs. Bird
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 4 games to 2 during the height of their annual bi-coastal NBA Finals rivalry. You know, Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. The best thing to happen to the NBA pre-Michael Jordan.
PHOTO - BOSTON, MA - JUNE 1987: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the 1987 NBA Basketball Finals at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers won the Championship 4 games to 2. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979-91 and 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Earvin Magic Johnson
The Twins were good
The Minnesota Twins won the World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The MVP of the series was Minnesota's Frank Viola. They also had a guy named Kirby Puckett.
PHOTO - MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 87: Minnestoa Twins' firstbaseman Kent Hrbek #14 is given a champagne shower in the locker room by teammates Tom Brunansky #27 and Don Baylor #18 after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals to with the World Series at the Metrodome on October 27, 1987 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Cardinals 4-2 in game 7 to win the series. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Giants won their 1st Super Bowl
The Bill Parcells-led New York Giants won their very first Super Bowl in January of 1987, defeating John Elway's Broncos 39-20. The game was in Pasadena. Imagine that, a Super Bowl in L.A.
PHOTO - PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 26: Head Coach Bill Parcells of the New York Giants gets carried off the field after they defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI on January 26, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won the Super Bowl 39 -20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Parcells
"You don't know Bo"
Possibly the greatest athlete ever, Bo Jackson made this first Opening Day roster with the Royals. He hit 22 HRs, knocked in 53 runs and stole 10 stolen bases as an outfielder that season.
PHOTO - CIRCA 1980's: Outfielder Bo Jackson #16 of the Kansas City Royals in front of the batting cage during batting practice before a Major League baseball game circa late 1980's. Jackson played for the Royals from 1986-1990. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Hoosiers still on top
The Indiana Hoosiers won the NCAA Tournament, beating Syracuse 74-73. I couldn't find a picture of that team or of Bobby Knight from that year. The closest I could find is a picture of Jay Edwards from January of 1988, just four months after Full House's premiere episode.
PHOTO - UNKNOWN - CIRCA 1988: Jay Edwards #3 of the University of Indiana Hoosiers circa 1988. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
'The U' era builds momentum
The Miami Hurricanes finished the season undefeated at 12-0 and were voted national champions for the 2nd time.
PHOTO - 1987: A University of Miami player #47 gestures #1 to the crowd during a game against Notre Dame. Miami went on to win the championship undefeated. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Tyson wins another title
Mike Tyson added to his collection the WBA heavyweight title March 7 in Las Vegas after beating James Smith in a 12 round decision.
PHOTO - LAS VEGAS - MARCH 7,1987: Mike Tyson (L) looks to land a punch to James Smith during the bout at the Hilton Hotel on March 7,1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike Tyson won the WBC heavyweight title and the WBA World heavyweight title. (Photo by: The Ring Magazine/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***Mike Tyson;James Smith
Tim Brown wins Heisman Trophy
Tim Brown won the Heisman Trophy, the last player to win the award from Notre Dame.
PHOTO - USA - CIRCA 1980s: Tim Brown of the University of Notre Dame poses with his Heisman trophy circa 1980s. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
Gretzky wins the Stanley Cup
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in the Stanley Cup Finals at a time when Canadian teams still won the Stanley Cup. This team was headed by a guy named Wayne Gretzky. I'm sure you've heard of him.
PHOTO - EDMONTON, AB - MAY 31: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after the Oilers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 of the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals on May 31, 1987 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)