Top Ten Athletes from the 2000s in Chicago Sports

It's not hard to argue that Chicago is full of the most die hard sports fans in America. Wherever you go, you can count on some sort of conversation about the latest news a Chicago sports team is making. The stress and expectations can drive some athletes out of the city (Milton Bradley), but it can also lead to other sport figures to be celebrated long after they retire (Coach Ditka (Why are we so blessed?)). With the first decade of the 2000s coming to a close in a mere 10 days, I thought it was time to take a look at the next crop of athletes who might be as celebrated as Da Coach is when they retire.

10. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews: When I told Tom that I was thinking about making this list and decided that Kane and Toews have tied for the 10th spot, he said I had to choose one of them. The thing is that as long as Kane and Toews are playing in Chicago together, they will be mentioned together for the rest of their careers. They have both been dynamic players and have played an equally major role in bringing the sport of hockey back into the forefront of Chicago. Kane is a superstar in the making while Toews is developing into a true leader and everything you want in a Captain of your hockey team to be. They are only at #10 because of their short amount of time playing in Chicago.

9. Devin Hester: Remember the days when Hester would be waiting for a kick or a punt and everyone would stop what they were doing? Well that threat and ability that Hester once showed is the reason he is at #9. With 11 returns for TDs, he is only two away from tying the all-time record, and maybe, just maybe, he can reach that record if a certain coach puts him back where he belongs, returning kicks.

8. Sammy Sosa: Sosa finished playing in Chicago in 2004, so he was only in Chicago for a portion of the past decade but he was a huge force while in the Cubs lineup. Besides being an absolute monster with the bat, he provided many interesting moments from his corked bat, to injuring himself while sneezing. Sosa played a major role on the Cubs team that almost reached the World Series in 2003.

7. Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt saw a decline in his numbers as his time on the South Side ran up. But that doesn't discount what he did in 2000 when he hit 43 home runs and drove in 143 runs while finishing second in MVP voting, (he should be given the award after Jason Giambi admitted to steroid use, but that is another rant for another day). He played a major role in the 2000 division title for the Sox, and contributed slightly in 2005 with a surge of power during the Summer before being shut down due to injury.

6. Jermaine Dye: World Series MVP for a Chicago baseball team, that alone should warrant a spot in the top ten. However, Dye was also mightily productive throughout his entire time with the White Sox. He averaged 33 home runs and 92 RBI in his five seasons and was a leader on the field and off. He left all he had on the field day in and day out, and always wanted to be out there whether or not he was hurt.

5. Paul Konerko: He has simply been a staple in the White Sox lineup this entire decade. Besides being named the captain of the team, he is in the top five of many of the all-time offensive categories for the White Sox. Konerko's defense is extremely underrated and is a player that could have his jersey retired with the other White Sox greats.

4. Carlos Zambrano: When he's not arguing with umpires or bashing gatorade dispensers, Zambrano has been quite productive with the Cubs. He has a no-hitter to his credit, as well as 10 home runs for a pitcher. His antics shy away from his productivity, and while he's never won more than 14 games in a season, the talent is obviously there and will continue to be there for the Cubs.

3. Aramis Ramirez: He could be a major reason that Jim Hendry still has a job with the Cubs. The acquisition of Ramirez from the Pirates has been nothing short of huge for the Cubs. Ramirez has seemingly gotten better as his time here has grown, and he's become a major force that opposing pitchers have to account for when they take the mound against the North Siders.

2. Brian Urlacher: Urlacher has caught some criticism recently for perhaps being a little overrated. That being said, he has been a remarkable linebacker for the Bears for his entire tenure. The play of the defense really decreases when Urlacher is not on the field. Pro Bowls, Defensive Player of the Years aren't accolades that overrated players get repeatedly. Urlacher has been a great player while in Chicago, he just needs to stay healthy and he will continue to contribute.

1. Mark Buehrle: It really is hard to argue against Buehrle being in this spot. He has the individual accolades, (No-hitter, Perfect Game, Gold Glove) and he also has the greatest accolade one can get from being on a team, (a World Championship). Buehrle has been the ultimate team player in more than just what is seen on the field, and when the time comes for him to retire, I can guarantee one thing, he will not be paying for drinks as long as he is in Chicago.