Ditka to comanage Chicago Dogs at May 22 home opener

Mike Ditka became a legend as "Da Coach" on the football sidelines, but for one game only this spring, he'll have a stint in the baseball dugout.

The Chicago Dogs, the American Association independent league baseball team in Rosemont, announced Thursday that they signed the former Chicago Bears coach to a one-game contract to comanage the Dogs on their opening night, Friday, May 22.

Ditka will comanage the game at Impact Field with Dogs manager Butch Hobson. And all fans in attendance will get a commemorative Ditka bobblehead donning sunglasses and a Chicago Dogs sweater vest - not unlike his famous 1980s-era Bears get-up. The Dogs will play that night in Ditka-inspired jerseys, which later will be auctioned off to benefit the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

Tickets for the 7:05 p.m. home opener are available at the thechicagodogs.com.