Chicago's Year of The Rookie

Has one city ever had so much reason to hope?

NHL 2007-08 Calder Trophy Winner (Rookie of the Year) and 2007 number one pick: Chicago Blackhawks' winger Patrick Kane.

MLB 2008 National League Rookie of the Year: Chicago Cubs' catcher Geovany Soto

MLB 2008 American League Rookie of the Year runner-up: Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez

NBA Probable 2008-09 Rookie of the Year (and number one pick): Chicago Bulls' point guard Derrick Rose

NFL Potential 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year: Chicago Bears' running back Matt Forte

NHL Potential 2008-09 Calder Trophy Winner: Chicago Blackhawks' wing Kris Versteeg

I can honestly not remember the last time one city had so many young stars at the same time. In fact, I feel bad for the White Sox if Forte can pull off the Second City Trifecta and get a third Rookie of the Year award (Ramirez was second in voting behind Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria).

Let's not overlook that the Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews, is such good friends with Kane because neither one can legally consume alcohol yet. The Hawks are one of the youngest teams in the entire NHL, but are competing for a top playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Bears, meanwhile, may have found a quarterback to build around in fourth year signal caller Kyle Orton. Second year tight-end Greg Olson is an alternate for the Pro Bowl, and third year man Devin Hester, drafted as a corner, has developed in the Bears leading wide receiver.

The Cubs have seen strong contributions from a number of youngsters. Other than Soto, shortstop Ryan Theriot and second baseman Mike Fontenot, who were college teammates at LSU, have played very well. The bullpen will be anchored in 2009 by Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Marmol.

The White Sox have youth everywhere you look on their major league roster. Bobby Jenks, many forget, was just a rookie when he calmly nailed the coffin shut in the 2005 World Series.

Carlos Quentin, who has barely one full season of major league experience, was a favorite for the MVP in the American League before getting hurt. John Danks and Gavin Floyd, both still in the infant stages of their careers, were consistent during the Sox pennant run in 2008.

The Bulls have a lot of young pieces that are still trying to mesh. Tyrus Thomas has shown signs of his talent, while Joakim Noah has been a nice source of energy (when he has any to spare). Ben Gordon might leave as a free agent after this season, but Luol Deng looks to anchor the Bulls' starting five with Rose for years to come.

Overall, the championship rings might have have arrived in Chicago yet with this incredible young group of stars, but if things keep progressing as they have the past couple years there might be a few rings, in more than one sport, in the near future.

Oh, and did I mention that a rookie senator from Chicago is headed to Washington in January...?

What a great time to be in Chicago!