October 5, 2009
LOU PINELLA: RBI man, no injuries
MARK DEROSA, if you recall, was the main reason the bottom of the order accounted for so many runs two years ago. DeRosa generated as many runs as PUJOLS. And where is he now? Across the diamond from Pujols getting ready for the playoffs. I hope he wins the World Series. And where are we? Not watching the ivy change colors…again.
ARAMIS RAMIREZ: Wants folks not to blame JIM HENDRY for buying MILTON BRADLEY the $30M lemon — that Bradley produced in Texas and that’s what he was going on when he signed him.
True. But Hendry forgot that Bradley would have to fit in in the clubhouse – the reason why he has been on so many teams. He forgot the media presence and how Bradley would crumble under the scrutiny if he didn’t produce. He forgot about the fans who demand the players run to first base, run to the ball in the outfield, know how many outs there are – especially when they are paid $10M a year – and to get a better bargain for their ticket than $750K per ONE RBI. [DeRosa had double the homers and RBIs as Bradley]
But most of all Hendry forgot how well loved DeRosa was here in Chicago – both by the fans and the media. He should have realized that Bradley would be coming in with major pressure on him due to the anger that DeRosa was traded for him. And he should have known that Bradley’s emotional imbalance would not have survived the season, especially if he didn’t get off to a good start – which every DeRosa fan knew he wouldn’t.
Think about what would have happened had DeRosa still been here when Ramirez went down? Completely different ball game. And what was AARON MILES supposed to do?
RYAN DEMPSTER: Wants the facilities updated.
Problem is the limited physical space limits the possible updating. Can’t bring DeRosa into this one.
TED LILY: Re-sign REED JOHNSON [Lily wore a t-shirt: "With Reed We Will Succeed" in the press room.] and bring back – yes – Mark DeRosa.
I love Mark as a player, a person, a clubhouse guy. I could say he’s probably the best teammate I’ve ever had. All around, he really cares a great deal about everybody, and that’s the kind of person he is. I think he also leads by example — the way he plays. He’s a special individual.
And with him gone Lily still had a good year. Reed Johnson most definitely should be brought back. He is a gamer and understands hustle and appreciates playing at Wrigley something Bradley did not. Johnson just needs to stay healthy. Someone else missing from the clubhouse was KERRY WOOD. He couldn’t have done better than KEVIN GREGG?
CARLOS ZAMBRANO: Hopes the media stops speculating whether he will be traded over the winter. He has a no-trade clause.
I think as far as wish lists go – the fans should have one for Carlos: getting in shape, winning more than NINE games and not telling the national media that he is going to retire. It wasn’t coincidence that his best performance – a 2-hitter came as his last start.
And as far as KOSUKE FUKUDOME? I bet his number one wish has been granted – getting rid of Bradley – and his second that he be allowed to play right – what he was promised when he signed. I know he had a rough year but he has never stopped playing and he knows – doesn’t have to be told – that he needs to work on his batting. I hope Hendry does not trade him.
My wish list: RON SANTO comes back healthy and they finally put him where he belongs: the Hall of Fame. Some team desperately wants ALPHONSO SORIANO for the same reasons (I cannot fathom) Hendry did. But if we’re stuck with Soriano – God forbid – that Lou Pinella never pencils him in at lead off.
Source: Chicago Tribune PAUL SULLIVAN
Tags: citizens against proobama media bias, chicago cubs, RON SANTO, Major league Baseball, Lou Pinella, cubbies, alphonso soriano, carlos zambrano, JIM HENDRY, mark DeRosa, kerry wood, ron santo for the hall of fame, aramis ramirez, TED LILY, KOSUKE FUKUDOME, reed johnson, kevin gregg, ryan dempster, 2009 chicago cubs, AARON MILES
