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8/02/2006

IZTURIS & DUSTY: IT'S JUST SO CUBS

Cesar Izturis made his Cubs debut and it was, well, so Cubs. He turned a triple into a double as he stood and watched a long fly he hit instead of running, wrongly thinking it was going to be foul. But he was 2-4 for the night.

Dusty Baker stuck to his script and total lack of understanding as to how to make a lineup by saying that in Izturis he now had "a double leadoff hitter". Izturis boasts a career OBP of .295 and a career BA of .261.

Baker also started Neifi Perez at 2nd Base. The reason for that is apparently Ronny Cedeno did not have a 2nd Baseman's glove. Not sure why he couldn't borrow Neifi's or Izturis' glove for that. Or why when the deal went through they didn't get him one so they can start working together in the middle infield. That, is also so Cubs.

Izturis is only 26. It's certainly possible that he could blossom into a good hitter. But not likely. People can't stop talking about all those hits he had last season before his injury. But consider his career numbers in total. In over 2000 minor league at-bats, he hit .261/.295/.338 for an OPS of .633. So you have a sample of almost 4500 professional at-bats with the numbers you see above. Don't hold your breath.

And while he may be quick he's a poor basestealer at only 70% for his career. So it's likely that he will be a guy who does not get on base a lot and when he does gets thrown out stealing. So Cubs. And Dusty wants to bat him 2nd, or 1st if Juan Pierre goes bye-bye.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What's with the new banner photo? Is this a mockery?!?!?

The Twins are looking good for a replacement to the flubs.

I don'know, whadda you think: I have followed major league baseball for 20 years, since I was eight, and nineteen of those have been with the Cubs. But I am seriously thinking of switching. I mean honestly, what would we do if they actually won? Would we be like the Red Sox and annoy the snot out of everyone? Our identity would be gone and the front office knows this all too well. It seems we've been duped for all this time, and now it's too late to do anything about it except buy another Old Style and enjoy the confines.

Anonymous said...

The banner is one I've used before. It's a Maddux jersey and a tribute to the man.

Good to hear from ya Mike!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhhh.
All that is visible is the top of two numbers and a bit of a name. It LOOKS like a 21 and almost a SOSA.

Whew.

Okay. We're all alright.