BOlieve: A Sports/Pop Culture Timeline
- Thread starter redben12
- Start date
Before we get to the picks, there's a butterfly that feel the need to mention. Because of the Browns making back to back Super Bowl appearances ITTL, Marty Schottenheimer is still the head coach in 1989. The Chiefs instead hire Bengals OC Bruce Coslet as HC.
Notable Selections in the 1989 NFL Draft
1-1: Troy Aikman - Cowboys (UCLA)
1-2: Tony Mandarach - Falcons (Michigan State)
1-3: Barry Sanders - Packers (Oklahoma State)
1-4: Deion Sanders - Lions (Florida State)
1-5: Derrick Thomas - Chiefs (Alabama)
1-13: Eric Metcalf - Browns (Texas)
1-19: Wayne Martin - Buccaneers (Arkansas)
1-20: Steve Atwater - Broncos (Arkansas)
2-11: Daryl Johnston - Cowboys (Syracuse)
10-12: Mark Schlerth - Redskins (Idaho)
Notable Selections in the 1989 NFL Draft
1-1: Troy Aikman - Cowboys (UCLA)
1-2: Tony Mandarach - Falcons (Michigan State)
1-3: Barry Sanders - Packers (Oklahoma State)
1-4: Deion Sanders - Lions (Florida State)
1-5: Derrick Thomas - Chiefs (Alabama)
1-13: Eric Metcalf - Browns (Texas)
1-19: Wayne Martin - Buccaneers (Arkansas)
1-20: Steve Atwater - Broncos (Arkansas)
2-11: Daryl Johnston - Cowboys (Syracuse)
10-12: Mark Schlerth - Redskins (Idaho)
Last edited:
1989 NBA Finals
Lakers lead 1-0
Lakers lead 2-0
Lakers lead 3-0
Lakers lead 3-1
Lakers lead 3-2
Series tied 3-3
Lakers win 4-3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNICKS SHOW GREAT FIGHT, BUT AREN'T CHAMPIONSHIP WORTHY YET
Los Angeles Times; June 22, 1989
The Lakers were able to officially capture the 1989 NBA Finals last night, defeating the New York Knicks 104-92. It originally seemed like it was going to be a clean sweep for our Lakers as Magic would put on several stellar performances to give the team a commanding 3-0 lead. However, after multiple strong defensive games from Knicks superstar center Patrick Ewing, alongside impressive work from Len Bias and Mark Jackson in game 5, the series would end up being extended to 7 games. In the end, LA would finally close it out in game 7 to win another NBA Finals. With how well they played this series, it seems like only a matter of time before we see the Knicks back in finals again.
Lakers lead 1-0
Lakers lead 2-0
Lakers lead 3-0
Lakers lead 3-1
Lakers lead 3-2
Series tied 3-3
Lakers win 4-3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNICKS SHOW GREAT FIGHT, BUT AREN'T CHAMPIONSHIP WORTHY YET
Los Angeles Times; June 22, 1989
The Lakers were able to officially capture the 1989 NBA Finals last night, defeating the New York Knicks 104-92. It originally seemed like it was going to be a clean sweep for our Lakers as Magic would put on several stellar performances to give the team a commanding 3-0 lead. However, after multiple strong defensive games from Knicks superstar center Patrick Ewing, alongside impressive work from Len Bias and Mark Jackson in game 5, the series would end up being extended to 7 games. In the end, LA would finally close it out in game 7 to win another NBA Finals. With how well they played this series, it seems like only a matter of time before we see the Knicks back in finals again.
HERSCHEL WALKER TRADED
The New York Times; October 13, 1989
In a surprising move to many, the 0-5 Dallas Cowboys have traded All Pro RB Herschel Walker to the Cleveland Browns. Walker has been one of the few bright spots of the Cowboys season so far, as he contributed over 500 total yards and 3 touchdowns for their offense so far. This move certainty came with a hefty price for the Browns as well. With this trade and them shipping Herman Fontenot to Green Bay, Cleveland's next first round draft pick won't be until 1993. Still, we wonder what Walker will do with Kosar and Schottenheimer for the rest of the 1989 season.
TRADE DETAILS
The New York Times; October 13, 1989
In a surprising move to many, the 0-5 Dallas Cowboys have traded All Pro RB Herschel Walker to the Cleveland Browns. Walker has been one of the few bright spots of the Cowboys season so far, as he contributed over 500 total yards and 3 touchdowns for their offense so far. This move certainty came with a hefty price for the Browns as well. With this trade and them shipping Herman Fontenot to Green Bay, Cleveland's next first round draft pick won't be until 1993. Still, we wonder what Walker will do with Kosar and Schottenheimer for the rest of the 1989 season.
TRADE DETAILS
| Dallas Cowboys | Cleveland Browns |
| CB Mark Harper Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1990 Cleveland's 1st round pick in 1991 Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1991 Cleveland's 1st round pick in 1992 Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1992 | RB Herschel Walker Dallas's 3rd round pick in 1990 Dallas's 10th round pick in 1990 Dallas's 3rd round pick in 1991 |
Well,when they can't exploit the compensatory picks like otl... that's as Insane as Watson tradeHERSCHEL WALKER TRADED
The New York Times; October 13, 1989
In a surprising move to many, the 0-5 Dallas Cowboys have traded All Pro RB Herschel Walker to the Cleveland Browns. Walker has been one of the few bright spots of the Cowboys season so far, as he contributed over 500 total yards and 3 touchdowns for their offense so far. This move certainty came with a hefty price for the Browns as well. With this trade and them shipping Herman Fontenot to Green Bay, Cleveland's next first round draft pick won't be until 1993. Still, we wonder what Walker will do with Kosar and Schottenheimer for the rest of the 1989 season.
TRADE DETAILS
Dallas Cowboys Cleveland Browns CB Mark Harper
Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1990
Cleveland's 1st round pick in 1991
Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1991
Cleveland's 1st round pick in 1992
Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 1992RB Herschel Walker
Dallas's 3rd round pick in 1990
Dallas's 10th round pick in 1990
Dallas's 3rd round pick in 1991
And Kareem’s career ends with a bang. A much better finale for the team than the one twenty years before!
I doubt the Lakers have any gas left for a four-peat though, even if they were pretty good without Cap.
I doubt the Lakers have any gas left for a four-peat though, even if they were pretty good without Cap.
Last edited:
Final standings for the 1989 NFL regular season (wins/loss differential compared to real life)
| AFC West | AFC Central | AFC East |
| 2. Denver Broncos: 12-4 (+1) Seattle Seahawks: 7-9 Los Angeles Raiders: 7-9 (-1) San Diego Chargers: 6-10 Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10 (-3) | 1. Cleveland Browns: 13-3 (+4) 4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7 Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8 Houston Oilers: 8-8 (-1) | 3. Buffalo Bills: 10-6 (+1) 5. Miami Dolphins: 9-7 (+1) Indianapolis Colts: 8-8 New York Jets: 4-12 New England Patriots: 4-12 (-1) |
| NFC West | NFC Central | NFC East |
| 1. San Francisco 49ers: 14-2 5. Los Angeles Rams: 11-5 New Orleans Saints: 9-7 Atlanta Falcons: 2-14 (-1) | 3. Minnesota Vikings: 10-6 Green Bay Packers: 10-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9 (+2) Detroit Lions: 7-9 Chicago Bears: 6-10 | 2. New York Giants: 12-4 4. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5 Washington Redskins: 9-7 (-1) Phoenix Cardinals: 4-12 (-1) Dallas Cowboys: 1-15 |
The Kansas City Royals are going to be interesting when they come into play. Without Bo, I don't think their 1986 or 1987 is affected that much (-0.8 WAR in '86 and 0 WAR in '87), but 1988-1990 would be affected. The White Sox and Angels would also be affected to some degree (1991-1993 in the Southside and '94 with the Angels), but he played 183 games over that four year span, and while above average offensively, surely wouldn't have been missed that much outside 1993. Even then, Warren Newson could've been played more and could've repeated his exceptional rookie campaign from 1991, as in his 26 MLB games that year he was 39% better than the average player.
This is a really interesting butterfly and I'm excited to see where it goes. Different draft picks, different callups, etc. could make a bigger splash than Ol' Bo ever did or could.
This is a really interesting butterfly and I'm excited to see where it goes. Different draft picks, different callups, etc. could make a bigger splash than Ol' Bo ever did or could.
Happy Draft Day Everyone!
Just hopping back on to say that a new update will be coming soon and it will be the first major change for a sport ITTL.
Ok it's really more accurate to say I'm taking something from a different alternate history project that I wanted to implement into Restarted with a Mouse but couldn't find a way to naturally talk about it without severely dragging down the pacing of that TL. But that doesn't really sound as exciting.
Just hopping back on to say that a new update will be coming soon and it will be the first major change for a sport ITTL.
Ok it's really more accurate to say I'm taking something from a different alternate history project that I wanted to implement into Restarted with a Mouse but couldn't find a way to naturally talk about it without severely dragging down the pacing of that TL. But that doesn't really sound as exciting.
Last edited:
SABCO LOOKING FOR A NEW DRIVER?
National Speed Sport News, November 1989
With the #42 expected to go full time next season in the Winston Cup, NSSN has got word of SABCO Racing has been in contact with several drivers for a second car from the team. As of the time of this article's publication, it unclear if this new team will be for the Busch series or Winston Cup series.
DRIVERS REPORTEDLY CONTACTED
Jimmy Spencer
Rick Mast
Patty Moise
Steve Grissom
Bob Keselowski
Shawna Robinson
Larry Pollard
Elton Sawyer
National Speed Sport News, November 1989
With the #42 expected to go full time next season in the Winston Cup, NSSN has got word of SABCO Racing has been in contact with several drivers for a second car from the team. As of the time of this article's publication, it unclear if this new team will be for the Busch series or Winston Cup series.
DRIVERS REPORTEDLY CONTACTED
Jimmy Spencer
Rick Mast
Patty Moise
Steve Grissom
Bob Keselowski
Shawna Robinson
Larry Pollard
Elton Sawyer
Last edited:
1989 In Sports History
January 15: Randy Savage defeated Ted DiBiase to become WWF Champion
January 17: The Phoenix Suns cancel their game against the Miami Heat due to the 1989 Miami Riots
January 19: President Ronald Regan pardons New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for illegally funding Richard Nixon's re-election campaign
January 22: The Cincinnati Bengals beat the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl XXIII
January 25: Michael Jordan scores his 10,000th NBA point
February 5: Kareem Abdul-Jabar becomes the first ever NBA player to score 38,000 career points
February 19: Darrell Waltrip wins the 1989 Daytona 500
February 26: Dallas Cowboys HC Tom Landry is fired after 29 years of coaching the team
March 22: Pete Rozelle retires as NFL commissioner
April 2: Hulk Hogan defeats Randy Savage in the main event of WrestleMania V to win the WWF Championship
April 21: George W. Bush becomes a co-CEO of the Texas Rangers
April 23: QB Troy Aikman is selected #1 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 NFL Draft
May 25: The Calgary Flames defeat the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup Finals in 6 games
May 31: Deion Sanders becomes the first ever two sport athlete, making his MLB debut with the Yankees
June 21: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the New York Knicks in 7 games to win the NBA Finals
July 19: NFL owners vote Unanimously to form the International Football League, set to begin play in 1991
August 24: Pete Rose receives a lifetime suspension from the MLB due to Gambling
October 3: The Oakland Raiders promote Art Shell as the first African-American to be a head coach in the NFL
October 13: Cowboys RB Herschel Walker is traded to the Cleveland Browns for 5 draft picks
October 15: Wayne Gretzky becomes the NHL's all time leading scorer
October 17: Game 3 of the 1989 World Series is delayed by the Loma Prieta Earthquake
October 28: The Oakland Athletics sweep the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series
November 4: The first NBA game at Orlando Arena takes place between the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets
November 19: Rusty Wallace wins the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship
November 23: Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson accuses the Philadelphia Eagles of trying to injure multiple Dallas players
January 15: Randy Savage defeated Ted DiBiase to become WWF Champion
January 17: The Phoenix Suns cancel their game against the Miami Heat due to the 1989 Miami Riots
January 19: President Ronald Regan pardons New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for illegally funding Richard Nixon's re-election campaign
January 22: The Cincinnati Bengals beat the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl XXIII
January 25: Michael Jordan scores his 10,000th NBA point
February 5: Kareem Abdul-Jabar becomes the first ever NBA player to score 38,000 career points
February 19: Darrell Waltrip wins the 1989 Daytona 500
February 26: Dallas Cowboys HC Tom Landry is fired after 29 years of coaching the team
March 22: Pete Rozelle retires as NFL commissioner
April 2: Hulk Hogan defeats Randy Savage in the main event of WrestleMania V to win the WWF Championship
April 21: George W. Bush becomes a co-CEO of the Texas Rangers
April 23: QB Troy Aikman is selected #1 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 NFL Draft
May 25: The Calgary Flames defeat the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup Finals in 6 games
May 31: Deion Sanders becomes the first ever two sport athlete, making his MLB debut with the Yankees
June 21: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the New York Knicks in 7 games to win the NBA Finals
July 19: NFL owners vote Unanimously to form the International Football League, set to begin play in 1991
August 24: Pete Rose receives a lifetime suspension from the MLB due to Gambling
October 3: The Oakland Raiders promote Art Shell as the first African-American to be a head coach in the NFL
October 13: Cowboys RB Herschel Walker is traded to the Cleveland Browns for 5 draft picks
October 15: Wayne Gretzky becomes the NHL's all time leading scorer
October 17: Game 3 of the 1989 World Series is delayed by the Loma Prieta Earthquake
October 28: The Oakland Athletics sweep the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series
November 4: The first NBA game at Orlando Arena takes place between the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets
November 19: Rusty Wallace wins the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship
November 23: Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson accuses the Philadelphia Eagles of trying to injure multiple Dallas players
Minor issue here: According to Wikipedia, IOTL, the Falcons and Sanders had a contract dispute, and Sanders was reportedly very close to simply retiring from professional baseball. It's entirely possible Sanders never becomes an MLB player, or at least not until an expansion team in Florida comes (presumably) in 1993 with the Florida/Miami Marlins (closest affiliated MiLB teams were the Mariner's AA affiliate in Jacksonville and a lot of teams affiliates in A+ ball), with this all depending on if the Lions and Sanders have that exact same issue with the exact same outcome.
Deion was already on pro by 1989, that was the leverage and the dispute was also because he was playing baseball, Maybe the Lions do the same or they're more chill about it?(Lions were competent team at the time but still without nothing of value to show)
True. Maybe ITTL, the initial butterfly is that he actually signs with the Royals in 1985 (when he was drafted in the 6th round, 149th overall) or that some other team drafts him in 1988. IOTL, Yankees drafted him in the 30th round as the 781th overall pick; perhaps the Royals, who were 4 slots higher (they drafted OF John Gilcrist as the 777th overall), draft him instead. Could be an interesting thing to explore, "Prime Time" on the Royals instead of Bo Jackson; maybe this leads to the Lions trading him to the Chiefs or him later signing with the Chiefs.
In 1986 if Magnum TA never gets injured in the car wreck and goes on to Starrcade 86 or early 1987 beating Ric Flair for the NWA World title (with Flair regaining the title either at the Baltimore Bash or Starrcade 87 in Chicago after JCP moves Starrcade from thanksgiving night so not to complete with the WWF Survivor Series to mid December) and by 1987 booker Dusty Rhodes takes a vacation from the main events focusing on a better UWF invasion of the NWA and keeping the UWF stronger than in OTL, the 1990s would've seen NWA JCP and the WWF neck to neck ala the late 1990s wrestling boom.