The Grand Old Game

It doesn’t help that Pinella insisted on batting Soriano in the leadoff spot all the way through June. In fact, he’s hit (when he isn’t busy striking out, flailing at outside breaking balls) in the top spot for 70 games. That’s seventy games in which a strong base runner like Theriot or an on-base machine like Fukudome was sitting behind you, probably batting with an out already on the board, and believe me, it has cost the Cubs dearly.

News flash, fellas: Fonzie is no longer a base stealer. He hasn’t been for years. I couldn’t care less about how he’s been saying that his legs feel better than they have in years; that may be true, but has it mattered? Eight steals is a long, long way from the 30 or so he used to put up in a year, and probably just a little less than he could possibly manage, at this stage in his career.

Ok, Soriano hit .284 in March and April. I’ll give him that. Then he hit .216 in May, .198 (!) in June, and while he caught fire in July (finally) and finished with 16 RBI, he’s back down in Mendozaland thus far this month. I’d venture to guess that his upswing at the plate is mainly because he dropped to the 6^th spot, where he should be. He’s been .278, 5, 19 batting sixth (143 PA), and that’s more like what we should expect from him. But .228/.295 OBP at the top of the order doesn’t cut it.

Now, I know I’m down on Soriano a lot, but numbers don’t lie.

It could be that the Cubs have actually done well to keep close to the top of the division, with Ramirez missing so many games. He’s definitely a large part of the equation, both at bat and in the field, and with him healthy we’re probably talking division championship for the third year in a row. Jake Fox has done a very good job filling the gap, though he’s just not in the same class as Ramirez with the glove. However, when you consider that he’s played third, outfield, and even catcher for the Cubbies, not to mention his contribution at the plate (.292, 8, 32 in 165 PA), he’s definitely made the most of his time in The Show, this year.

I still don’t get the Miles signing. A singles hitter who scores around 50 runs a year, and not all that special in the field? Can someone please explain this pickup to me, because I’m just not getting it. He’s not a base stealer, either. The Cubs probably could have done better just calling up Blanco and handing the 2B job over to him. I imagine he’d be at least as good a hitter as Miles. What Miles has going for him is his versatility; he can play most anywhere. He even pitched once, last year. Still, I’d rather have Blanco or Bobby Scales than Miles. Scales has played a little bit of everywhere in the minors, and he’s certainly paid his dues after eleven years riding buses down in the bush league.

Tom Gorzelanny was a nice addition, though he still has yet to live up to his potential as a 2^nd round pick in 2003 (Pittsburgh). Ditto for John Grabow. But Kevin Gregg was a disaster as closer. Now that Marmol’s going to be closing games, it could be a different story in the ninth. He’ll at least be exciting to watch; you never know what you’re going to get from him. He’s as likely to walk you as he is to strike you out. Shades of Mitch Williams, the right-handed version. Big Z’s temper seems to get worse each year; I’d say he’s just one grand slam or a missed call away from going all sick-house on some unfortunate bystander.

Anyway, the Cubs lose another one tonight, 7-2. Thanks a million, Russell Martin. Let’s hope Randy Wells can stop ‘em tomorrow.

Clinton Riddle

The Grand Old Game