I notice on Chicago Breaking Sports News that Lou Piniella seemed to get a little testy when someone grilled him about why it took two and one-half years to figure out that Alfonso Soriano was a lousy leadoff hitter. Well, I guess he finally did it, although he still seems to be under some sort of misconception about what leadoff hitters do. Leadoff hitters take pitches and get on base. Number two hitters hit and run and move runners. They don't necessarily steal bases, which seemed to be the primary reason for keeping Soriano there, i.e., he used to steal bases.
One of the best leadoff men in recent memory was Wade Boggs, who was as slow as molasses, as I recall. Anyway, Kosuke Fukudome has the best OBA on the Cubs, and he should bat first. Ryan Theriot does not take enough pitches, so he doesn't walk often enough. Batting him first subtracts from his natural talent, which is hitting to right field, and actually reduces his effectiveness as an offensive player. Lou proudly announced, of course, that he would bat Theriot first and Fukudome second, demonstrating once again why the Cubs eternal search for a leadoff man is so frustrating.
On a lighter note, A League of Her Own has a funny bit on Geovanny Soto. What is with the eyebrows, dude?
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