Will Soriano be missed? Yes.
That’s why he’s the starter, right?
The Cubs do not have anyone else with his power to lead things off. So it goes.
Johnson, who filled in admirably for him early on is completely capable. They went 8-4 with him when Soriano was out in April.
Theriot was 0-3 as lead-off man during that time but is pretty hot right now. He has the highest batting average on the team, and he is going to get on base (he might even steal a few, so let him try). And Edmonds was not even and option last time Soriano was out. The Cubs have many players sitting down right now that any other team in MLB would love to start.
What will be missed most is the mystique of Soriano, the bad-ass ex-Yankee with his huge bat coming to save us. That will definitely be missed.
Ole Ryan with his top average doesn’t have that swagger yet; Johnson might never. But how much does that count for? He will be missed but the team will survive.
On the bright side, I never thought he came back fully from the calf injury so when he comes back this time, his leg will be back to full strength. I will be shocked if the Cubs lead this thing wire to wire. I expect them to slide and scare us all before the playoffs and the 100-year win in the Series.
At least it’s not September. I will miss him more than the Cubs I think. What do you think?
Soriano will indeed be missed.
My missing posts are what have me scratching my head.
I'm beginning to wonder if my ISP is sending my stuff off to China.
Roman responds: People, people, be patient. Unlike other bloggers at papers, this isn't my main gig. And in case you haven't noticed, it's been busy with Ced and Vinny and two first-place teams.
Roman responds: "People, people, be patient. Unlike other bloggers at papers, this isn't my main gig. And in case you haven't noticed, it's been busy with Ced and Vinny and two first-place teams."
No problem.
I was just beginning to worry about whether or not I should cut back on the vodka, because when I wake up the following morning, I still have a vague idea as to what I typed the night before.
Seeing it reassures me, but when it latter disappears, it drives me out of my mind.
(Actually ... It's no longer a drive; it's just a short walk)
Yeah, I have to admit the Scrubs are a better team than I imagined, and Soriano is a decent player. He will be missed, but it won't stop them from winning this division, gonna be a good race in the NL central.
Destiny can really bite ya in the you-know-what sometimes, huh? The Cubs will miss Soriano - 6 weeks is very different than 14 games. You're right, Sweeney (and btw, congrats on the guest blogging gig) they do have many admirable fill-ins, but they have to keep the team at least treading water till Soriano comes back.
I wonder what the anti-chemistry people think about the mystique of Soriano and Ryan Theriot's need for swagger. I do think there's something to the idea of team chemistry, but mystique? I don't think so. I never thought he was coming to town to rescue this team. If anyone has mystique, it's Lou Piniella. (and by mystique, I may mean Scotch.)
forget about soriano. he reminds me of that guy from that movie major league. he tries too much to hits the long balls and just pops it up. yeah he was hittin good but it aint like he can dos it all year. like his feileding is any good neither. whats the deal with that hop skip crap he does? i mean come on what is it likes hop scotch or something
therro will be fine atleats he can hit the ball
Congrats Swee-NAAY! You are a smart guest blogger because you know there are about a billion Cubs Fans! LOL! Cubs ARE going to do it this year and would be very surprised if they did not. Sore-riano is just another spoke in the wheel. This is a well balanced TEAM. They are dominating the NL, and would fare just as well against most in the AL. In fact, I could only put Boston above them right now. I love the Sox, but they are NOT better than the Cubs. Its been a full 100 years so I am pulling for the Bad News Cubs. Lord knows they deserve it.
I think that if you think you'll miss Soriano more than you think the Cubs think they'll miss him...then I think I'll have to think about it a while longer to let you know what I think because my Wife is still asleep...
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/983402,hotfans060308.article
Keith....you in the Pink Tank Top would clinch this contest!!!
Well, Mr. Soriano I hope you heel correctly and do not push yourself, ala D.Lee a couple of years back. Lead off Reed Johnson. Toronto was stupid enough to let him loose, so use him! Where's Brian Roberts now?
I've never been much of a Soriano fan, though he can be offensively impressive -- or mindnumbingly awful -- in stretches. But this Cubs team has some very good hitters. Lee and Ramirez have been slumping, and I expect them to warm up over the next month or so. Theriot, Fukudome, Soto and DeRosa are solid at the plate. Johnson and Edmonds can platoon in center, and Patterson and Hoffpauir will now get some ABs to see what they can do. This team can score runs, with or without Alfonso.
Longer term I'm more concerned about starting pitching than Soriano.
Culzie you are wrong man! But I was looking for Michael Vick because pit bulls were everywhere!!! A whole lot of folks should not have submitted. North and South!
The question is...How can the Cubs have the hottest fans, when all of baseball knows Wrigley is just a hang out spot? The Cubs have no fans, most are watching their Ipod, Iphone, or on the phone.
You cannot be the fan of a team, if you are not a fan of baseball, you're a hanger on. Two thirds of the Cubs "fans" if interviewed would probably not even know what a double switch is, they would probably think it is a switch upstairs and downstairs to turn the same light off(if they are that smart.)
Soriano is a luxury on the best team in baseball...I'm gonna say no and maybe he might want to get into shape
how old do you think he really is..
Chuck sez: "The question is...How can the Cubs have the hottest fans, when all of baseball knows Wrigley is just a hang out spot? The Cubs have no fans, most are watching their Ipod, Iphone, or on the phone."
There's something to that theory, but it doesn't tell thw whole story.
Wrigley Field and the surrounding environs are a "scene"; a place to see and BE seen.
Many of those who go to the games do so for reasons other than love of the sport, but the same could be said of many guys and gals who go to Bears games simply because they love to "Tailgate" in the lot, drinking beer, and cooking brats.
I'm not a Cubs fan, but I sense a little bit of envy among my White Sox bretheren, due to the fact that their fan base is nation wide, and that winning a World Series on the North Side would dwarf what the Sox did in '05 in terms of fan support and media coverage.
Perhaps a White Sox victory in a Cross Town World Series could settle that issue once and for all, and stem the North Side Tide.
We'll see.
Did someone go on vacation?
Will give you that Mark, the neighborhood does buzz, and the bars around Wrigley are crowded during home games. Still do not feel their fanbase is nationwide, most of their fans support another sport or another team regularly.
They just have a pity party for the Cubs and their fans. I think the Cubs have a good team this year...a team that might actually win the NL if they can find some pitching and defense.
I also think if the team is so over Soriano, that maybe Fonz can be some trade bait.
Last topic, I do not hate the Cubs, I dislike fans who are fairweather, for all sports. The Cubs, with their 100 year losing tradition, have more fair weather fans than any team I can remember since Boston won in 04' and 07'.
"I also think if the team is so over Soriano, that maybe Fonz can be some trade bait."
With his contract?
Highly doubtful.
Z WILL BE MISSED...THAT MUCH I KNOW!
Cubs' Zambrano leaves with shoulder issue, will have MRI
ESPN.com news services
Updated: June 19, 2008, 12:53 AM ET
Carlos Zambrano was scuffling in Tampa on Wednesday and it looks like there was a physical reason why.
Zambrano
The Chicago Cubs ace left after throwing one pitch to the Rays' Eric Hinske in the seventh inning with what the club later called discomfort in his right pitching shoulder.
The two-time NL All-Star will fly Thursday to Chicago, and according to MLB.com he will see team orthopedic specialist Dr. Steven Gryzlo and have an MRI examination. The team expects to have an update on his condition by Friday.