March 30, 2008
Selectivity in Chicago
Fukudome led the spring in walks while batting .270. You'd think the Cubs manager would be excited by that:
"He has had a very respectable spring," manager Lou Piniella said. "You have to get acclimated to baseball in this country. The pitching's different, the umpiring's probably different, the fields are bigger. In Japan they play on skin infields.
"He's going to be fine. Let's not put too [many] expectations on him initially. Let him build into this thing."
Fukudome is a top of the order hitter who can actually get on base. Nothing the Cubs need.
Did you take Piniella's comments as being unhappy with Fukudome's spring performance? I didn't. Piniella said he had a "respectable" spring, and that's what he had. Fukudome may or may not be a top of the order hitter. Time will tell.
Yeah, I think this is more Piniella intentionally lowering expectations than actually thinking Kosuke's contributions won't be valuable. I think he gets it.
I hope so, anyway.
I don't think Piniella is unhappy. If I were the manager, I'd be praising this up and down hoping my other players would catch on.
I'm just happy Dusty is gone, so we don't have anybody criticizing his lack of aggressiveness.
I'm just happy Dusty is gone, so we don't have anybody criticizing his lack of aggressiveness.
