Thanks start with a man named Wirtz

He should be considered nothing less than a hero to Blackhawks fans.

And it's the fashion in which he's done it that makes Rocky Wirtz's story so sensational.

In a little more than a year since his father passed away, the new Hawks owner has made changes at a furious pace, all changes that couldn't have occurred while Bill Wirtz was alive.

Yet, gone are many of the impediments to winning, and those continue to be removed on the West Side as they are exposed for what they are and how they came to be. That process, by the way, is not over yet.

The result is the Hawks are filling the building and bringing the organization into the 21st century - after it essentially skipped the 20th.

"I never thought we'd see it this quickly, but it's gratifying to see the building full and see the team winning,'' Wirtz said. "The nicest thing is it brings back memories of the old Stadium when you walk in the doors.

"It's vibrant and the atmosphere is just very different than it's been. We have a chance to set all kinds of attendance records this year and it's great to see that happen so fast.

"But if you get the proper leadership, you can build a terrific organization where everyone works together and everyone grows together. This happens to be a public business, but we try to run all our businesses this way, and it's a terrific feeling when everyone works together.''

It's a terrific feeling for Hawks fans to be able to enjoy their club and not feel like they've been spit on, an entirely new experience for generations of fans.

For this, all Chicago sports fans can be grateful to Rocky Wirtz.

Thanks for the memories

Sports fans have many other people and moments for which to be thankful, and here are just a few that come to mind:

• Ryan Dempster, who shocked baseball with a 17-6 record, more than 200 innings pitched and a sub-3.00 ERA, leading the Cubs to a season of dominance on the North Side.

• GM Jim Hendry, who, fortunately for Cubs fans, is always trying to get better, and won't be satisfied until he's got the best club in both leagues, not just one division.

• The White Sox, who provided MLB with one of its best stories in 2008, surprising the heavily-favored Tigers and Indians in the AL Central, and then holding off the Twins.

• John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Alexei Ramirez, youngsters who will offer South Siders many years of joy. Danks, in particular, was brilliant in the tiebreaker against the Twins, and a few days later collected Chicago baseball's only 2008 postseason victory.

• Ken Williams, who remains the most creative GM in the game, and while frequently criticized, he usually delivers when believers are hardest to find.

• Derrick Rose, undoubtedly the best player to put on a Bulls' uniform since No. 23. He's been superb, even without another legitimate NBA starter on the roster.

• Joel Quenneville, who will bench his stars to make a point, and has given the Hawks a presence behind the bench they haven't had in a long time.

• Dan Hampton, a Hall of Fame presence wherever he goes, who remains the best and most honest football analyst around. Just as he was as a player, Hampton isn't afraid of anyone or anything, and he says what he believes.

• Patrick Kane, a very good player searching for boundaries and limits. His skills are among the league's elite, and he's a danger every time on the ice. Now, with proper discipline and teaching, he has a chance to become a truly great NHL player.

• Kyle Orton, who has overcome three years of being ignored by an organization sometimes unable to evaluate its own talent, and given Bears fans a quarterback for which to be grateful.

• Don Levin, the Wolves owner who for a decade provided Chicago an island of hockey sanity when the NHL version provided none. He continues to offer fans an affordable and entertaining product, and we should thank him by not forgetting him.

• Carlos Marmol, a converted catcher, has caught on as a late reliever and is destined for stardom as a closer, perhaps the hardest commodity to find in all of baseball.

• Matt Forte, the best Bears back to come along in decades, and for that, Bears GM Jerry Angelo deserves a rare pat on the back.

• Jonathan Toews, a rare combination of talent and character that comes along once in a great while.

• Bob Brenly and Steve Stone, two of the best color commentators in all of sports, and we've got them both right here in Chicago.

• Tiger Woods, who, thankfully, will be back in 2009. It was a ridiculously boring summer of golf without him, though we offer a tip of the cap to Team USA, which provided a thrill in the Ryder Cup.

My mistake

I'm thankful for the chance to apologize for Wednesday's brain cramp. I wrote Jose Ceda when I meant Jose Ascanio. Yes, I did know Ceda was already traded, but I made what us mortals call "a mistake.''

Oddly, I originally put down Jose Vizcaino, an old friend from the '90s. The surprise is that I didn't write down Jose Cuervo, an old friend from college.

In any case, it changes not a bit the Cubs' ability to get Jake Peavy as the Padres are running out of time and leverage, but it did give me plenty to do Wednesday as I returned the 17,486 e-mails informing me of what an ignorant fool I am.

Hey, isn't this supposed to be the time of year for charity and giving?

And finally ...

As always, on a day of stuffing yourself with food, football and family, think of those who are missing someone at the table, perhaps for the first time, and be grateful for what you have.

Happy Thanksgiving.

brozner@dailyherald.com