Wrigley Field added another chapter to its illustrious history on the first day of 2009 by hosting the National Hockey League (NHL).  Having hosted the Chicago Cubs for nearly a century, the Chicago Bears for 50 years, concerts, and professional boxing matches, on January 1, 2009, the NHL skated into Wrigley Field and hit a home run with their outdoor game. With the ice rink set up between first and third base in the Wrigley Field, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings squared off for the 2nd annual Winter Classic. Nearly 41,000 fans braved the cool but perfect hockey weather to watch a classic game which the Red Wings won 6-4.

Credit the National Hockey League for taking a quantum leap forward after the critical success of last year’s first outdoor Winter Classic in Buffalo. “This is what we hoped it would be,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said shortly after the conclusion of the game. “It’s unique in the way that it takes the game back to its roots. It’s unique in the way the players react to it because it’s so special to be there on the ice. It’s something that we know can be a special part of our game if we do it right.”

Nearly 240,000 ticket requests, for the 41,000 available seats, were made for the Wrigley Field game. Sponsorship support was strong with a series of national sponsors coming on board in spite of the economic downturn. Sales of Winter Classic merchandise were expected to double from last year’s event in Buffalo. This year, there was an opportunity for the media to skate on the ice, which created more good news surrounding the event, as well as helping the ice mature. The team’s families were much more involved this year, and Detroit coach Mike Babcock pointed to the family skate after practice Wednesday as one of the highlights of the event.

The NHL allowed the public to skate on the rink the day following the game for a $10 admission with all proceeds going to charity. Choosing Wrigley Field as its second venue for their Winter Classic went without a hitch and was a home run in promoting professional hockey for the league.

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Ryan Dempster signed a 4 year, $52 million extension with the Chicago Cubs this week. After a 17-6 record in 2008 with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts, the Cubbies made it a priority in the off season to get Dempster signed, especially with the loss of Kerry Wood. The Dempster contract extension will have him locked up with the Cubbies through the 2012 season.

After his signing, Dempster stated, “Given as close as we’ve been the last two years, I thought ‘This is where I want to be.’ I enjoy playing here so much. Was there more money on the open market? I’m sure there probably was. Who knows if there would have been interest in five years. You never know. That’s a question that never can be answered. But I don’t even care. I’m happy with what I have, and it’s more money than I could ever dream of growing up and playing baseball.”

Now the Cubbies can focus on their other signing priorities which could include finding a middle infielder, who can be a true lead off hitter, and a left handed hitting outfielder. Regardless of their remaining off season signings, the Cubs pitching staff will be one of the best in the major leagues in 2009.

Lou Pinella has been honored as the National League Manager of the Year for 2008. Pinella led the Cubbies to their most regular season victories (97) since 1945. Securing the number one seed for the postseason went for naught, as the Cubbies were swept by the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. This was Lou’s 3rd Manager of the Year award, but first in the National League. Pinella has won the manager of the year award twice previously, in 1995 and 2001, while managing the Seattle Mariners of the American League.

Shortly after receiving his manager of the year award, the Chicago Cubs announced they will be bringing back, for the 2009 season, all the coaches who worked under Lou Pinella this past season. The coaches returning include pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who will be entering his eighth season with the Cubbies. Bench coach Alan Trammell; hitting coach Gerald Perry; third base coach Mike Quade; first base coach Matt Sinatro; bullpen coach Lester Strode; and Ivan DeJesus, a special assistant to Piniella all will be returning for their 3rd year with the Chicago Cubs. “I was so happy today to see that my entire coaching staff is re-signed and coming back,” Piniella said. “They are basically a very integral part of my success.”

So Wrigley Field can expect to have plenty to cheer about again next season!

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97 wins, a divisional champion, and in the end the Chicago Cubs experienced the same result they have for the past 100 years; no World Series Championship. So what was it that had most Cubbie fans believing this was finally the year?

This Cubs team was loaded with talented hitters who beat on enough National League pitching staffs over the summer to lead the league in runs. The Cubs pitching staff and defense was above average so the three major pieces were in place to bring a World Series Championship to Chicago. Cubs GM Jim Hendry summarized the year this way; ”It’s a hard team not to like, it’s a team that hustled all year, a team that got off the mat when it had a few snags, a team where everybody contributed with a bench that Lou (manager Lou Pinella) used very well. We expected to be good this year, and we were very, very good. We just have to roll up our sleeves and get to work and keep plugging.”

So why did the Cubs go 3 and out?

Two major areas are readily apparent for the Cubs. First, in the playoffs, teams face the elite of their opposition’s pitching staff so runs are usually a premium. Getting the top of your order on base for the middle of your lineup is essential. This didn’t happen for the Cubs. Soriano is more suited as a 5 or 6 hitter in the Cubs lineup not as a lead off hitter. This will need to be addressed during the off season.
Second, the Cubs have no left handed hitters who pose fear to the opposition. Disagree? Look at how many left handed pitchers the Dodgers threw at the Cubs in their 10 total meetings this year. The answer is zero.

So what are the 3 top areas for the Cubs to address during off season?

1. Find a true lead off hitter with speed. Brian Roberts, from Baltimore, has been on the Cubs radar for some time now. The Cubs will need to get creative to find a way to wrestle him into a Cubs uniform.
2. A left handed power hitter. The ideal candidate for the Cubs would be a center fielder since it is likely Jim Edmonds will retire. Carlos Beltran would look good in a Cubs uniform, wouldn’t he?
3. The Cubs pitching staff needs one more starting pitcher, someone like CC Sabathia?

Mark DeRosa summed up the Cubs year best, “When you’re on a special team like this, it’s tough. There is nothing this team lacked. Nothing. So for us to go out and perform the way we performed for three days is shocking. It will stick with me for a while.” As Cubbie fans, we know his pain. But for its October flaws, there’s a lot to like about this Cubs team. If the Cubs can address the three areas mentioned above, the window appears wide open for multiple playoff runs and a World Series Championship.

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