Join us » Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner

CHICAGO -- From the jubilant parade all the way to the boisterous rally, millions of excited fans spent a sun-drenched Friday celebrating another Stanley Cup title for the Chicago Blackhawks. Dressed mostly in red and black, they came out to say thanks for the memories. Turns out, captain Jonathan Toews and Co. wanted to return the favour. "This shows how unbelievable this city is," Toews said, addressing the rapt crowd at Grant Park. "Unbelievable. Thank you." The Blackhawks rode to the rally in red, open-topped buses, passing waving and screaming fans of every age as the parade travelled from the United Center to the downtown party. Toews hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head to show it off to the crowd, which was cooled by large water misters placed along the route with temperatures in the low 80s. One of the many signs read "Thank you, guys" on the top line and "Best 17 seconds of my life" for the second part -- referring to the pair of late goals that lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 title-clinching victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night. And there was at least one expression of love for Andrew Shaw, the hardscrabble forward who required stitches on his face after he was hit by a puck Monday. It was the second championship in four seasons for the Blackhawks, and authorities thought Fridays crowd was even heartier than the 2 million that came out in 2010. "What do you say we get back here and do it again next year?" forward Patrick Sharp said to a big cheer at the rally. The Grant Park crowd also enjoyed a brief but colorful speech by normally reserved goaltender Corey Crawford, who drew wide grins and chuckles from his teammates. "Its tough to follow that speech by Corey Crawford," Toews said after he carried the Cup onto the stage. Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said 42 people were taken to hospitals with heat-related health problems. He also said 20 people jumped into a restricted part of Lake Michigan and the fire department made sure that all 20 came out of the water. The massive crowd at the park grew steadily all morning long, with the most ardent supporters camping out overnight, ready to sprint to the big stage the minute police swung the barriers aside. By the time buses delivered the players and their families, the park was packed. Some fans brought along homemade versions of the Stanley Cup, including one fashioned from an empty beer keg. Twenty-somethings Courtney Baldwin and Meghan OKane, from the citys suburbs, slapped together their tribute from a jumble of jugs and plastic bowls painted grey. It was empty Friday morning, but Baldwin said they planned to fill it with an adult beverage in the afternoon -- a common occurrence for the actual silver trophy over the past week. One fan who dashed to the front near the stage was Michael Wilczynski, a 26-year-old sales associate from the suburbs. His father took him to his first game and they partied together downtown after the last Stanley Cup victory. "My dad died in February. We came to 2010. Im not going to miss this. I had to be here," he said. The Blackhawks gave the city something to celebrate as the Cubs and White Sox grind through another lost summer. And fans took note. "We love the Blackhawks. This is history and this is a championship, unlike the Cubs," OKane said, taking a shot at a team that hasnt won a World Series since 1908. The franchises fifth Stanley Cup was the culmination of a banner season for the Blackhawks, who set an NHL record when they recorded at least one point in the first 24 games -- half of the lockout-shortened schedule. They finished with the best record in the league. The dramatic Game 6 victory in Boston sparked a raucous party in parts of Chicago. Fans poured out of bars after the thrilling finish and celebrated in the streets in the several neighbourhoods. Sarah Schmidt, 22, who grew up in Chicago and made the pilgrimage to Fridays celebrations from Milwaukee, told her boss she was taking the day off no matter what. She hoped her bartending gig would still be there when the party was over. "I cant miss this," she said. Charlotte Hornets Jerseys . -- LeBron James warned the Orlando Magic to stop double-teaming him and ignoring James Jones. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Jersey . They wanna make t-shirts about it and sell them at our next hockey game..DB: Wow, they want to make t-shirts? That sounds pretty amazing.MS: Yeah, I was also on the Top 10, I was number 1 today, so that was pretty cool. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Willy-Hernangomez-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Jack Del Rio only wanted to talk about the Cowboys, not the Trojans. Alonzo Mourning Hornets Jersey . Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner Ohio State is into the national semifinals. Malik Monk Hornets Jersey . A wide-eyed 18-year-old visiting North America for only the second time in his young life, Caboclo immediately noticed the "big tower" his new home is best known for.NEW YORK -- Closer Bobby Parnell has agreed to a $3.7 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets and left fielder Eric Young Jr. has settled for a $1.85 million, one-year deal. The agreements Friday left Lucas Duda, Dillon Gee and Daniel Murphy as the last Mets players in arbitration. The speedy Young was a pleasant surprise in the leadoff spot lasst season after he was acquired from Colorado in June for pitcher Collin McHugh.dddddddddddd Young led the NL with 46 stolen bases and made $492,000. Parnell didnt pitch after July 30 and had surgery Sept. 10 to repair a herniated disk in his neck. He has been working out in Florida. He was 5-5 with a career-best 2.16 ERA last year and 22 saves in 26 chances. ' ' '