The Chronicles of Illinois- The Illini, The Wildcats, and the White Sox

By Zeus - Chicagodroppings.com writer.

If you live in Illinois, 2005 was the year for the Land of Lincoln—at least in sports. 2005 began with the rebirth of the Chicago Bulls. The young Bulls began showing that they were a team that can make the post season, in which later in the year, we did. In 2005 the state produced a basketball team that from start to finish showed that they belonged in the upper echelon of basketball programs. So they didn’t win it all. The U of I men’s basketball team, showed the nation that not only did they deserve their third straight Big 10 championship, but that they deserved to be in the Big Dance and finally, also deserved to be “fighting” for the National Championship. The Tarheels of North Carolina, was a pre-season pick to win it all. The Illini were picked to win the Big 10 in SOME national rankings, but NO ONE picked them to get to the national championship—not even since being ranked #1 in the regular season from December of 2004 to the beginning of the Tournament. I mean c’mon, what more did they have to do to prove that they were a good TEAM?

Who could forget the comeback game against Arizona in one of the Elite Eight games, here in Chicago, where Deron Williams showed why he was and is one of the best PG in the nation. Being down 15 at 75-60 with 4 minutes left in the game, Williams puts the Illini and the state of Illinois on his back to eventually lead the Illini to victory over the Wildcats 90-89, catapulting the Illini to their first Final Four appearance since 1989. Williams display of leadership and persistence, epitomizes the way that most Illinois sports programs teaches their players. Everyone knew that once the season was over, Deron was going to leave. How could he not? He was projected to be in the top 5 players drafted in the NBA draft. So what has Williams and the Illini of 2004-2005 done for the program? Oh I don’t know-maybe because of what they did we are beginning to receive commitments from top recruits from all over the nation to come and continue the success that Williams, Brown, Augustine, Head, and Powell had. The season has already begun with the Illini being undefeated at 11-0. Yes, they haven’t played many big games, but they are undefeated, and you can not take that away from them. What a year they gave us! Thank you Illini Basketball!

The Spring began with a bang with the excitement the Illinois Men’s basketball program produced. But once the Tournament was over, what was the state to do in trying to follow up with such success? What about the White Sox beginning their run of leading the AL Central in wins? Better yet, what about Northwestern University winning their first national championship since 1941? Yes!!!! Northwestern University put together a championship season in women’s lacrosse! Not only were they national champions they went undefeated at 21-0 and won it all 13-10 over the defending champions, the Cavaliers of Virginia! It’s too bad that the women’s lacrosse team will probably be remembered for some of the players wearing flip flops to the White House. It’s too bad that they received more pub for that, than for what they had accomplished athletically. I will speak for most of Illinois by saying, “Thank you Northwestern Wildcats! Thank you for women’s lacrosse!!”

How was the Summer going to start? The Wildcats won the National Championship in May, so what next? What next you ask? What about a Major League Baseball team that was winning and winning consistently? Sorry Northsiders, it wasn’t you. It was the Southside baseball team producing wins, like Rabbits in the spring time. The WHITE SOX! The PALE HOSE!! The SECOND baseball team in Chicago!!! Really? Not anymore! This is Chicago Baseball! From June (well really before June) through November, the Boys from the Southside took America by storm by leading the AL from start to finish by winning the pennant. They were supposed to lose to the Indians in the final turn of the Regular Season race, but ended up winning the AL Central Division. On August 1 st, the Sox led the division by 15 games. However, by the end of the regular season race, they had a 1.5 game lead in the division. Phew…that was close. Close or not, they won it.

Then the playoffs began. The ALDS was supposed to be a tough one and was supposed to be won by the Red Sox. Nope. The RIGHT colored Sox won it—oh and they didn’t just win it, they SWEPT it. The defending Champs were 3 and out. Bye Bye Beantown. Who’s Next? What about the favored Anaheim Angels? The Angels who were picked by some to win it all during the pre-season, gave the White Sox a good scare by winning the first game of the ALCS, here in Chicago. But to no avail, the Angels choked, or should I say, just plain out lost to the better team. That team being the White Sox., you know the SECOND baseball team in Chicago? The ALCS ended with the White Sox winning the series 4-1. What was next was something the state and the City of Chicago had not experienced since 1959. But what was more important was something the state and the city of Chicago hadn’t experienced since 1917- a World Series Championship.

The pitching staff that should have been talked about resides on the Southside. The starters that Ozzie put out there could not be beaten. In all due respect to the Major League teams out there, in all honesty, who do you think would or could have beaten the White Sox? Buerhle, Contreras, Garcia, and Garland, did you really think that the National League Champions, Houston Astros had a chance? Sorry Houston- you still have a problem. The White Sox did it! They won the pennant by sweeping the Houston Astros 4 games to none. Chicago has their World Series Champion! Thank you Chicago White Sox! Thank you for proving to EVERYONE, that you are NOT the Second team in baseball in this city—or better yet in the nation! Thank you for a great 2005 season.

So is this it? Is the running success of Illinois sports over? I think not. The Chicago Bears are continuing their winning ways. We still have the number 1 defense in all of Football. We still lead the NFC North by 2 games with a 10-4 record. Is Grossman going to take us all the way? We’ll have to wait and see. But he did look good in the 2 nd half of last night’s game. It’s funny. The national media all picked the Viqueens to win it all. The Packers and the Lions were supposed to be Playoff contenders. OH and the Bears? Yeah we were supposed to be in last place and not contend for anything. We were supposed to be at the bottom of the division and of the league. And yet here we sit, the second best team in the NFC. Can we win it all? Why not? If the Illini, Wildcats, and the White Sox could be as great as they were, why can’t the Bears? If the Defense continues to play the way that they have, if they continue to make the adjustments needed to beat the other team, and if Grossman truly can lead the offense, just like the Illini, the Wildcats, and the White Sox, Chicago and the state can have another champion. 2005 was and still is great!

The Illini are undefeated. The Illini have received commitments from Top 25 players from throughout the nation for 2006 and 2007. The Wildcats pretty much has the team intact for 2006 and 2007. The White Sox are making all the moves necessary to potentially produce 1, maybe two more pennants in 2006-2007. The Bears are continuing to win and are continuing to build cohesion for 2006-2007. Will they win? I don’t know. But then again who does. Who thought that the state of Illinois would be so successful with their sporting programs in 2005? No one. All I do know is that 2005 was a great year! A year that all of Illinois should be proud of!

[Top] [Print this Page]