Cubs, Sox postseason play voted top local story of '08
Chicago baseball, with the Cubs and Sox both in the postseason for the first time since 1906, was chosen the top Illinois sports story of 2008 by The Associated Press.
The Cubs were also the No. 2 story, but this time for losing in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Dodgers and sealing the team's 100-year curse.
Here are 2008's top 10 stories:
1. CUBS AND SOX PLAYOFFS: Excitement builds as both the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs make it to the playoffs for the first time since 1906. But the teams flop, losing in the first round.
2. A CENTURY OF FRUSTRATION: Despite the best record in the National League, the Chicago Cubs championship drought reaches the 100-year mark. The Los Angeles Dodgers complete a three-game sweep of their first-round playoff series with a 3-1 victory. The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.
3. ILLINI SEASON: The University of Illinois heads to the Rose Bowl for the first time in more than two decades, but the team loses 49-17 to Southern California. The Illini struggle the following season, finishing 5-7 and failing to qualify for a bowl bid.
4. BEARS QUARTERBACK: Quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman go head to head during training camp to decide who will lead the Chicago Bears offense, with Orton getting the nod as the season begins.
5. BULLS FOLLIES: Neither interim coach Jim Boylan nor coach Scott Skiles could turn things around for the Chicago Bulls, who end their dismal season 33-49. But the team's luck takes a turn for the better when they win the draft lottery. The Bulls choose Chicago native Derrick Rose with the No. 1 draft pick.
6. BLACKHAWKS SAVARD: After years of declining ticket sales -- and being called the worst franchise in professional sports by ESPN -- the Chicago Blackhawks reconnect with fans. A year after the season ticket base dwindled to 3,400, it jumps to a franchise-record 14,000. But four games into the season, the team fires Denis Savard and names Joel Quenneville as coach.
7. CUBS SALE: On Opening Day 2007, Tribune Co. announces that it is selling the Cubs and Wrigley Field. The company has slowly solicited bids and is considering potential buyers. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is reportedly part of the bidding process, but is later charged by federal regulators with insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale.
8. BULLS NEW COACH: After a seven-week search, the Chicago Bulls name Vinny Del Negro, the Phoenix Suns assistant general manager, as their new coach. Last season, the Bulls went from 49 wins to 49 losses and missed the playoffs after making the second round in 2007. That led to coach Scott Skiles' firing and interim coach Jim Boylan's dismissal.
9. WHITE SOX GET GRIFFEY JR.: Ken Griffey Jr. comes to Chicago as part of a July trade, saying he wants a chance to play in the postseason. He goes on to bat .260 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 41 games with the White Sox.
10. BLACKHAWKS-PATRICK KANE: Chicago Blackhawks right-winger Patrick Kane is named the NHL's Rookie of the Year. The native of Buffalo, N.Y., leads all NHL freshmen with 72 points (21-51) in 82 games. He's the first Blackhawk to win the Calder Trophy since goalie Ed Belfour in 1990-91.
10. CEDRIC BENSON: The Chicago Bears release Cedric Benson after two alcohol-related arrests. Benson, who Chicago drafted in the first round in 2005, is signed as a free agent to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
10. MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Lou Piniella is chosen as the National League's Manager of the Year after leading the Cubs to the league's best record. Cubs Catcher Geovany Soto is chosen as NL Rookie of the Year.