In August of 2003, while the Cubs were making a run that would eventually take them to the NLCS and a mere 5 outs away from their first World Series appearance in nearly 60 years, Ryan Dempster blew out his elbow as a member of the Cincinnati Reds and underwent Tommy John surgery.  Following the season, the Reds, fearing that the one-time all star was done, released him.  In January 2004, the Cubs took a low risk flyer on him, knowing he would spend most of the season rehabbing and hoping to capture lighning in a bottle.  Nearly 9 seasons later, I guess you could say it worked out.

Dempster joined the Cubs in August, one year after his elbow reconstruction, and, for the first time in his career, worked primarily out of the bullpen.  Dempster returned to the starting rotation in 2005, but after 6 starts, he was named the closer after LaTroy Hawkins continued to struggle.  He would prove to be one of the premiere closers over the next three seasons.  In 2008, Dempster finally moved back to the starting rotation, surrendering the closers role to another former starter, Kerry Wood.  Dempster excelled and lead the Cubs to their second straight division title.

As the Cubs fortunes went south following the 2008 season, Dempster remained one of the few bright spots, especially this year, where he is among the league leaders in ERA despite getting little to no run support.  Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, the time to say goodbye has arrived.  Ryan Dempster has been traded to the Atlanta Braves Los Angeles Dodgers New York Yankees Texas Rangers, where he will be reunited with former battery mate Geovany Soto.

In Cubs games I have attended, Dempster is second all time with 13 wins and 68 appearances and tied with Joe Borowski for first all time in saves, with 14.  Dempster’s numbers in a Cubs uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: Continue reading →