The beginning of the 2008 season started off shaky for the Cubs but, as a fan, of course, I still had hope that they would dust themselves off and turn it around.
Little did I know that my hope would be realized in the injury to left fielder Alphonso Soriano. Strangely, as soon as Soriano was gone, the Cubs, it seemed, could not lose, knocking off team after team and winning series after series.
But even more strange is the fact that since he has returned to the line-up, the Cubs have completely fallen apart. Is there some sort of sub-conscious bitterness in the rest of the teams mind because this $146 million dollar lemon is in the line-up.
Soriano recently showed what he was worth against the Cardinals when he showed up at the plate with a blindfold on and then proceeded to forget to take it off when he took the field—hideously botching what would have been a routine fly ball even for my old rusty butt.
The Chicago Cubs spent millions of dollars in 2006 to win and in my opinion if winning means handcuffing Soriano to the bench then it's money well spent.
The Cubs are 2-5 since Soriano's return May 1st.
comments (7) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
Alfonso Soriano #12 LF
2008 STATS
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.188 3 10 .239 .329
Salary 2008: $14,000,000
5 months ago
Note: I flagged the above comment as offensive...Hope the moderator gets a good laugh
5 months ago
I think the Cubs and Hendry wished in one hand and pooped in the other and guess wich one produced results.
Soriano History
Player Transaction History
Date Transaction
May 1, 2008 Removed from 15-day DL
April 16, 2008 Placed on 15-day DL (Right calf strain)
August 28, 2007 Removed from 15-day DL
August 6, 2007 Placed on 15-day DL (Strained right quadriceps)
December 1, 2006 Signed as free agent
October 29, 2006 Declared free agency
February 10, 2006 Signed with Washington Nationals
December 13, 2005 Traded from Texas Rangers to Washington Nationals for OF Brad Wilkerson, four-player deal
January 17, 2005 Signed with Texas Rangers
February 16, 2004 Traded from New York Yankees to Texas Rangers w/player to be named for Alex
January 20, 2004 Signed with New York Yankees
March 6, 2003 Signed with New York Yankees
September 5, 2000 Called up from minors
May 27, 2000 Sent to minors
May 19, 2000 Called up from minors
April 25, 2000 Sent to minors
April 5, 2000 Called up from minors
March 23, 2000 Sent to minors
September 11, 1999 Called up from minors
March 31, 1999 Sent to minors
September 29, 1998 Signed as free agent
5 months ago
Mike, I don't think the Cubs losing record is tied to Soriano's return. I agree he is a bust so far, but I doubt that there is some lingering hostility or hatred toward the guy. He was still with the team the whole time he was hurt. I mean, it's possible. But I just think that bad pitching and the lack of timely hitting, along with bad defense is the erason we stink right now. Whatever Soriano has done ON THE FIELD to contribute to that is definately his fault. Anything else smacks of Cubs fans once again looking for a scapegoat, such as a curse or whatever instead of just realizing we're really not that good.
5 months ago
Ouch! Yes you may be right. I'm also having a hard time figuring out how a team can score more than 40 runs in a 5 game span and then drop off the face of the earth. Something is wrong when when a team like the Reds can't buy a win and then explode hitting home run after home run when the Cubs come to town.
5 months ago
It doesn't help when the defense is making the pitchers throw extra pitches because the defense is giving extra outs. The Cubs can turn it around if they just get back to the basics soon. Btw I believe Soriano's contract was for $136 million over 8 years. I'm not a big fan of him either, but he's there and they might as well get some use out of him since they're forking over all of this money. I think Lou is the right guy to set this ship right again.
5 months ago
Wow! How embarrassing is this post in light of Soriano now becoming the hottest hitting player in the history of the universe. I retract this story because Alphonso has found an adjustment that hit the nail right on the head burying it deep. Very deep.
write a new comment