Jeff Wilson's Chicago Cubs fan blog

Back before 1973,  baseball was united in its belief that pitchers should hit and managers should really manage and a bench should mean something, but then in 1973 the Americal League decided that there should be a designated hitter and the National League stayed with its tradition.  35 years later we still have two distinct versions of baseball being played in the major leagues. 

Being a fan of mostly National League teams, I tend to be quite biased on this subject.  Being a pitcher also that could hit some also makes me side with the Senior Circuit.    And when I see a perfomance like I did tonight by the ace pitcher of the Chicago Cubs, Carlos Zambrano, who went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI's to raise his season average to .343, it makes me want more than ever to see this stupid rule done away with.   

Continue reading "Dump the Designated Hitter Rule Bring back the hitting pitcher Babe Ruth anyone"

In the Chicago Cubs  game tonight, the first hitter of the game Alfonzo Soriano led off with a screaming shot into the right field corner that he would have easily made it to 2nd base standing. He had to slide in head first and it was obvious to this reporter that he was heavily favoring his left leg.  He stayed in the game but it was obvious that he was affected.  Later in the inning a deep fly to right field and Soriano remained at 2nd base.  He finally scored on a play that had right fielder Xavier Nady made the catch on a easy fly he would have been doubled off. 

his lack of mobility was not limited to his offensive game as he was unable to close the gap on a fly ball hit to a spot where he normally would have run it down.   What should Lou Piniella do.  Should they put Soriano on the DL and let him heal or should they give him a few days off and have his bat available for pinch hitting duties or should they let him gut it out.    I think at the vey least until his legs are near to or at 100% he has to be in a different spot in the lineup.   He isnt really a threat to steal a base or even at this stage to go first to third easily. When Reed Johnson is in the lineup, he can bat leadoff.  Should they want to DL him, Matt Murton could be called back up.   Micah Hoffpauir could play in left vs righties or Lou could move Johnson to left field and have Edmonds patrol center.   In an emergency, I am sure that Soriano could play his natural position which is 2nd base. 

Continue reading "Soriano's calf acting up ! Should he rest or play?"

Every baseball team when they are on a losing streak look to their ace pitcher to give them a quality start and a chance to break out.  Well for the Chicago Cubs Friday night not only did they get that type of stellar performance from Carlos Zambrano on the mound, for good measure he added 4 hits in 5 trips to the plate driving in as many runs (2) as he allowed.   The Cubs cruised to a 12-3 victory over their favorite team to play this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates who they have defeated in 9 of the first 10 meetings.   Pirate starting pitcher, Zach Duke is already 0-4 vs the Cubs in 2008.  Zambrano is one of those great pitchers to watch both on the mound and at the plate.  

Continue reading "Big Z does it with the Bat and on the Bump"