Ryan Dempster is clearly one of the popular players the Cubs have had in recent years. He hasn't been good enough to warrant Hall of Fame consideration or even quite good enough to have his number retired by the Cubs in the future. However, he's been a gamer. Dempster did a better job as a Cubs closer than a lot of pitchers we would care to forget. I have been pleasantly surprised with the work he has done as a starter. I'll admit that I thought it was a mistake to put him in the starting rotation in 2008. I didn't think it was a good idea at the time to make a decent closer into a starter. I was wrong about that. We see the amazing job he has done in 2012. 2011 has been his only bad season as a Cubs starter.

More to the point, Dempster's shown so much devotion to the Cubs organization. He's been someone, who can liven up a clubhouse with his humor. I love his Harry Caray imitation. I admire the way he has dealt with his daughter's battle with DiGeorge Syndrome. That's why he is so loved by Cubs fans. In his time with the Cubs, popular teammates that come to mind are Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, Ted Lilly, and Derrek Lee. Lee, himself, had to deal with an illness that his daughter had. Dempster's been my favorite among all Cubs since 2004. I hope he does well against everybody besides the Northsiders with the Braves or whatever team ends up with him.