Blackhawks steal the show at Wrigley

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Marian Hossa places the baseball that will be used for the ceremonial pitch inside the Stanley Cup. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Tribune)

By Dave van Dyck

For one touching moment, the city of Chicago, North and South, were united as one on the pitcher's mound at Wrigley Field.

Cubbie blue and White Sox black flanked red-clad champion Blackhawks for a celebratory picture with the Stanley Cup.

"It's really unbelievable to be a part of," said Patrick Kane, who scored the winning overtime goal to make this days-long party possible.

"The fans are unbelievable no matter where you are. It's baseball and they still greet you. This is unbelievable for us."


Nearly the entire Blackhawk team paraded from the right field corner around center field and towards the Cubs' third base dugout, passing the Cup around so each could hoist it to the cheering 40,000 fans.

When the Cup reached the area behind home plate, Coach Joel Quenneville did the honors, going from the Cubs' dugout to the White Sox dugout, where manager Ozzie Guillen hoisted it over this head to the boos of Cubs fans.

The glittering Cup was placed on the pitcher's rubber and the ball dropped it. Captain Jonathan Toews pulled it out and presented it to team president John McDonough, who threw the first pitch to Ryan Dempster, a Canadian and loyal Hawk fan.

It must have been a strange moment for McDonough, who three years ago ruled over this same Wrigley Field as president of the Cubs.

The pre-game ceremony was concluded by Jim Cornelison belting out his familiar version of the national anthem, although much of it was drowned out by appreciative fans.

The team then adjourned to enjoy the Cubs-White Sox series finale from the center field Batter's Eye restaurant, although Toews joined Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were slated to sing the 7th inning stretch.

Guillen enjoyed getting to hug Kane during the pre-game ad lib party. He said there were "tears in my eyes" when Kane scored the winning goal against the Flyers.

"That's really something," Kane said. "That's something you dream of all along. Ozzie has told me the same story. It's pretty amazing to hear from the other guy."

Guillen, admittedly biased, also claimed that the White Sox World Series championship parade was bigger than the Blackhawks' one on Friday that drew an estimated two million fans.

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tbo41fan

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My favorite teams
  1. Chicago Cubs
  1. Chicago Fire
  1. Chicago Bulls
  1. Chicago Bears
  1. Chicago Blackhawks
  1. Arizona Wildcats
this was cool
 

NVgoldrush12

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Guillen enjoyed getting to hug Kane during the pre-game party. He said there were "tears in my eyes" when Kane scored the winning goal against the Flyers.

Wow Ozzie. LOL.

This was really cool to do. Wish I could've seen it (#ESPNfail) but ya know, at least heard the 7th Inning Stretch. And all I can say is it is a good thing they can play hockey.

Does anyone know who it was that shouted something about winning the World Series? Sounded like Kane to me, but it was Toews, Sharp, Keith, & Seabrook singing.
 

BigP50

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I was lovin' it when Ozzie held the cup over his head.
 

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