Tag: kosuke fukudome

Let’s just pack it up now, cuz it won’t get any better for the Cubs

The Cubs won today.  And you know winning the first game of spring training means everything in the world, right? 

But the Cubs did get the right hits from the right people.  Fuld, (homerun), newly acquired Marlon Byrd (2 for 2, homerun), Tyler Colvin (2 doubles, homerun), Derrek Lee (homerun, yawn), and Starlin Castro, who seems to be everyone’s freakin’ darlin’, (triple). 

I kid, I love the guy.  Castro came in relief for Ryan Theriot and his triple seemed to say, “Find a another position, Cajun dude!”  Which just might happen.  The baseball pundit hordes are calling for Theriot to move to second base and it’s probably on Cubs management’s mind, too.

But first and foremost on Cubs manager Lou Piniella’s mind, is how to spell Kosuke Fukudome’s nickname.  From Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat, Lou says it’s “Fuke”.  I guess that “e” keep us Cub fans morally clean.  Perhaps they should issue a press release. 

The press (mlb.com and the Cubs in particular) have been making a big deal about Alfonso Soriano and how gosh darn healthy he is. 

I don’t know about you but that kind of talk scares the beejeezus out of me.  One, you don’t talk about it unless there is something to be worry about and two, why are they tempting fate?  Almost like talking during a pitcher’s no-hitter.  “Well, Ron, Soriano’s gone through the season so far a not a hint of a hamstring pull.”  “We’ve been pretty lucky.  He’s sure to go through the whole season without a visit to the DL.” 

Then BAM!

Let’s just keep it quiet and count our blessings.  And win another… even if it is just spring training.

Cubs’ Fukudome finding leadoff spot quite comfortable

Cubs’ beat writer Carrie Muskat tells us what most Cub fans having been thinking for years now…

…put Kosuke Fukudome or more precisely, anyone other than Alfonso Soriano, in the leadoff spot.   In this case, Fuk has fit the bill quite nicely.  In the 11 games he’s led off he’s done what leadoff hitters are supposed to do. 

Fuk is hitting .317 (13 for 48) in the top spot.  More importantly, he’s taking the walk up there, too (6 walks).  Yes, it’s a relatively small sample size but it’s a good trend and a sign that the Cubs management is open to change in the matter. 

Now, finding a spot where Soriano can excel is key.  Soriano is the kind of player who likes consistency… he wants to know he’s penciled in a particular spot every day.  Perhaps that’s why he was so wedded to the leadoff role. 

One more thought on Soriano and regarding Monday’s game.  Give me an 0 for 4 performance and flawless fielding over his 3 hits and his atrocious play in left.  The look on Piniella’s face after Soriano butchered that ball… I see that look on my wife’s face sometimes. 

I hope that Soriano felt the wrath from Lou later.

Cubs have yet another hole to fill

In this article from the Trib which analyzes the Cubs’ spending priorities, we find that they have to take care of one more need. 

…and firing (Kosuke) Fukudome’s interpreter, Ryuji Araki. Hendry wants to find an interpreter who jells better with the Japanese outfielder.

That explains everything.