Hockey in July

I have never subscribed to the idea of "Christmas in July." What does that even mean? Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but the holiday must only be celebrated in the winter season. Hockey is a different story.

Spending time at Wrigley Field yesterday made me realize that, as the Cubs' fans join in on a chorus of boos and hatred toward their team, the Chicago Blackhawks play a big role in the Friendly Confines. Defenseman Brian Campbell threw the first pitch and led the 7th inning stretch, there was a hockey puck contest on the scoreboard with "Here Come the Hawks" playing over the PA, and the team's "One-Goal" advertisement was on the scoreboard through an entire inning.

When president John McDonough left the Cubs to join the Blackhawks, you knew he was going to bring over some of that marketing expertise and help bring hockey back to the city. He did just that, and the players helped by making a deep run through the postseason.

I have never talked about hockey during the Chicago baseball season, and I am sure many others are the same way. Yet, now, fans including me are still into the hockey team. Other than Derrek Lee's three-run homer, the Wrigley crowd gave the biggest ovation during Campbell's on-field appearance and his "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" song (even though the singing was not very good).

This seems even more relevant now that the Blackhawks played a game at Wrigley Field earlier this season. Fans are waiting for hockey, with Marian Hossa coming from the Red Wings, Kris Versteeg and other young players re-signing, and some nice draft picks coming Chicago's way. Yes, there is also the Bears and QB Jay Cutler, but hockey season is still big for the city here in July as well.

That type of summer fever has not been seen in a long time, but it is now. The Chicago Cubs seem to be catching on.

Proof that Wrigley Field is recession proof

Wrigley Field will be "iced out" this winter. Makes sense. The Cubs' bats have been cold since October.

All this talk about the Chicago Cubs not having money to take on Kerry Wood's salary arbitration or Jake Peavy's remaining contract would all be shelved if the powers that be that run baseball's favorite choke-artists dipped into the revenue stream known as Wrigley Field.

Not only is the Friendly Confines on Clark and Addison hosting the Winter Classic NHL game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, the rink the teams will skate on will be open January 4 so you can skate on the infield where Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot, Mark DeRosa and Derrek Lee booted away NLDS Game 2.

Tickets were $10 and proceedes benefitted Cubs Care (a charitable organization) but if the folks that ran the North Siders kept it open for a week and charged Chicagoans a similar price while opening its concession stands to sell some hot dogs, nachos (extra hot peppers, please) and a few Old Style's, they could rake in enough dough for Peavy and Milton Bradley.

Oh, and that were that I dropped in there wasn't a typo.

Tickets for the event are already sold out according to WSCR 670 AM in Chicago.

Wrigley neighbors can skate on field Jan. 4 [Chicago Tribune]

Wrigley Packs 30K And The Cubs Ain't Even There

More than 30,000 fans filed into Wrigley Field on Tuesday night to see minor leaguers. That's really not news because that was what the Cub fans were treated to during the Andrew B. MacFailure era.

However, this time was different. Hall Of Famer Ryne Sandberg returned home to manage the Peoria Chiefs against the Kane County Cougars in the inaugural "Road To Wrigley" game.

Sandberg is in his second year as the head Chief, gaining managerial experience on a daily basis as he prepares to eventually take over the Cubs whenever Lou Piniella decides to call it a career. And if you're expecting the mild-mannered Ryno, you're wrong.

No, he wasn't a part of the Dayton-Peoria fiasco, but Sandberg has been described as feisty and has been thrown out of numerous games in his brief managerial career.

Do the Cubs have a Lou Jr. waiting in the wings? Who knows, but the bigger question is whether the Chicago media could handle blow ups by Sandberg and Ozzie Guillen on the same day or even in the same game.