July:
Cubs: Aramis Ramirez continues to carry the Cubs with a .348 average going into August at 54-47. Lilly proves to be one of Hendry’s finer moves; Lilly leads the club in all categories but strikeouts.
White Sox: Mark Buherle was getting into a rhythm and on July 23rd he joined a very prestigious club, throwing a no-hitter and a perfect game in a career. Buherle had some defensive help in the form of an outstanding outfield catch by Dwayne Wise. 53-51 going into August.
August:
Cubs: After looking poised for a postseason run, they crumbled as Cub Nation looked toward the offseason. A 65-64 mark late in the season was below any and all expectations; it has become evident that overpricing players like Soriano, Bradley and Fukudome has run its course.
Bears: Preseason expectations were through the roof and Cutler and crew looked great at time, finishing with a 3-1 preseason record. All eyes were on the September 13th season opener.
White Sox: Playing Minnesota seven times amounted to five losses and a distant reach to the first place Twins. 68-64 through August all but eliminating the Sox from postseason contention
September:
Cubs: Carlos Zambrano returned to form in the last month but it was too little too late for the Cubs. Milton Bradley had his last altercation with the Chicago Cubs when after blaming his poor play on racist remarks coming from right field, Jim Hendry shut down Milton for conduct detrimental to the team.
Bears: The season opener in Green Bay did not go as planned, Cutler threw four picks in a loss. Surprisingly, they came back strong to beat the Steelers and knocked off the Seahawks and Lions. Feeling good at 3-1 the Bears looked ahead to a primetime matchup in Atlanta
White Sox: The acquisition of Alex Rios and Jake Peavy was thought to have brought a spark to a team that desperately needed it, with Peavey inactive and Rios not hitting the Sox dropped the last four of the month, 77-82 going into October
October:
Cubs: Finish 3rd in NL Central at 83-78.
Bears: Against Atlanta, the game came down to a 4th and 1 on the Atlanta 6 yard line. Orlando Pace committed a false start; Cutler throws a pick in the end zone. The following week the Bengals demolished the Bears 45-10. An ugly win against the Browns put the Bears at 4-3.
White Sox: Finish 3rd in AL Central at 79-83
November:
Bears: The Bears lost all but one game in November and all in terrible fashion. The Cardinals embarrassed the Bears at home, Cutler throws a game-ending pick in San Francisco, Cutler under throws Knox at home against the Eagles, and Minnesota wins big at home to top it off. 3-7 into December
Blackhawks: Kane and Toews carry this team out of the gate along with new acquisition Marian Hossa the Hawks look to have the veteran presence they lacked last season.
Bulls: The annual Circus trip wreaks havoc on the Bulls, as they looked more like clowns than ballplays, as they lose six of seven games putting them well below 500.
December:
Cubs: Jim Hendry finally fixes his mistake and unloads Milton Bradley much to the delight of Cub Nation. Many desired free agents are off the market and hope dwindles into 2010.
Bears: Winning against the Rams at home showed us nothing and they reverted right back to form losing a close game to Green Bay at home. Baltimore dominated at home and in the most recent contest the Bears pulled off an amazing upset against the Minnesota Vikings 36-30
Blackhawks: Amazingly this team has surmounted its place as the best professional team in the City of Chicago. They own the second seed in the Western Conference and look towards the postseason once again.
Bulls: 11-17 is not promising, I know this. If Vinny can get his team back around him they could get a poor Eastern Conference seed but in no way do I see a run deep into the postseason for this squad.
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