Alfonso Soriano

efty pinch-hitter Daryl Ward as his backup? Well, Hoffpauir can also play well in the outfield, and Alfonso Soriano is still about a week away from returning, at best, while Kosuke Fukudome is 7-42 in July, and could use a rest now and again.

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lications to their teams, one likely more than the other, and to the NL Central.

The first was to Alfonso Soriano, left fielder and leadoff hitter for the Cubs, owners of the best record in baseball. A pitch from Jeff Bennett cracked the fourth metacarpal of his left hand, right around the knuckle, and he'll be out for six weeks. By chance, I once broke this same bone in my left hand playing softball, and he's going to have problems with his grip until that bone gets completely healed. My bone was broken farther down in the hand, and the fact that Soriano's break is near the knuckle should make it even harder for him to regain his grip.

Continue reading "Bittten by the Injury Bug"

It has been a while since my last post, which was bitter to say the least. A month and a half later I can hardly find much to complain about when it comes to the Cubs. They look like the best baseball team in the National League right now (obviously their record doesn't disagree), and after a 7-0 homestand this week, my baseball excitement is at its peak. I can't miss a Cubs game anymore. I make a point to try to watch or listen to every game, and I went to two games during the undefeated homestand. They have just been so entertaining to watch. Their play has been solid all around, and their offense has just been hilarious. Geovany Soto has been incredible, and he looks like he is going to be a legitimate NL all star catcher for years to come in the shadow of Mike Piazza.

Continue reading "Cubs Tearing Up the National League"

 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

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After another game where stranding base-runners has become a common theme, what Lou Piniella had the right words to sum up the Cubs recent slide, "Like I told my guys after the ballgame, make the other team beat you, don't just give it to them," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "You play like that and you're going to lose quite a few of them, or most of them. Anyway, it's over with. Done."

Continue reading "Cubs lose 5-3 after having bases-loaded with 1 out"

Lookin fierce.

Jeers to Alfonso Soriano and his little hop that apparently puts oh so much pressure on the calf. Look silly.

Continue reading "It's official"

I never liked the "Soriano Hop". I never thought it would actually cause him to hurt himself though. I am not a Soriano fan. He's an absolute offensive mammoth when he gets hot, but when he's not hot, he has very little value to this team. And he is a terrible leadoff hitter when he's cold. His on-base is .230. Let's face it: this is one of the worst contracts  in baseball right now, second maybe only to Barry Zito.

Continue reading "Soriano Injures Himself Hopping"

Still no Brian Roberts, still no centerfielder acquisition. That's okay, because it still looks like at least one of those is going to happen before opening day. And Soriano has finally been nudged from the leadoff spot, thank god. It will be good to see him driving in runs this year. I don't really like him in the 2 spot though because he isn't going to advance any runners (unless they plan on stealing constantly, which may work because pitchers will avoid throwing him fastballs at all costs). 

Continue reading "Two Weeks Till Opening Day"

... and nothing overly exciting or positive has happened quite yet. Alfonso Soriano has a broken finger and Mark DeRosa just had heart surgery. Same old, same old.

The whole Soriano thing has been quite bothersome to me. I was jacked up beyond belief when the cubs signed him last year, but like most people, I was mostly let down by him last year. It's hard not to look at that mammoth contract he signed and to think that he is past his prime. He was playing with a bum hamstring last year and his ability to be a base stealing threat was diminished. And now this year, his hamstring supposedly is still not 100%, and now the broken finger. I hate to ask, "What's next?" but I'm sure we'll find that out eventually.

Continue reading "Cubs 2008 Preseason Begins..."

Enjoy!1B Albert Pujols2B Chase Utlery3B David WrightSS Hanley RamirezC Geovany SotoOF Carlos LeeOF Alfonso SorianoOF Matt HolidaySP Johan SantanaSP Roy OswaltSP Jake PeavyCLOSER Billy Wagner or Bob Howry or Kerry Wood

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