Kevin Gregg: Is He the Cubs' New Rod Beck or LaTroy Hawkins?

Kevin Gregg hasn't been a Cub for too long, but he's starting to concern the loyal fans of Chicago's North Siders.

After four games, he has certainly not distinguished himself, having blown one save and allowing four earned runs in just three innings. Last night in Milwaukee, he pitched himself into a tight spot despite having a four-run lead coming into the ninth.

He now has a 3.33 WHIP and a 12.00 ERA as the Cubs prepare for their home opener. Meanwhile, Carlos Marmol has been lights out. But I'm not going to start a debate over which pitcher should be the man in the ninth inning.

My question is, given Gregg's history in Florida and now his first few games as a Cub, which role will he take: the nail-biting, save-converting hero that Rod Beck was to Cubs fans, or the infamously ineffective LaTroy Hawkins?

Beck, "The Shooter," was as much a fan favorite because of his save conversion percentage as he was for his handlebar mustache and fun-loving personality. He pitched while his throwing elbow was the same consistency as the dirt on the warning track, and converted clutch save after clutch save.

The Shooter was never one for the pretty stat line, but he always found a way to get the game-tying run within a few inches of the plate before nailing down the victory.

Similar to Beck, Kerry Wood had his moments last year when getting three consecutive outs seemed impossible. Like Beck, though, Wood will forever be a hero to Cubs fans, both because of his annual comeback from injury and also for his performances on the mound.

In the case of Beck, which is true no matter what Chicago sports team you are talking about, the only thing the fans care about is the end result. If, at the end of the day, the white "W" flag is flying high above Wrigley Field's scoreboard, it doesn't matter how his stat line looks.

But, the other end of the spectrum is Hawkins. Brought in from Minnesota to close despite his career being largely in the setup role, Hawkins always had great stuff. The problem was that his stuff didn't move...unless it was heading the opposite direction it was pitched for a hit.

Hawkins, like every Cubs addition, received the benefit of the doubt from the blind faithful for a grace period to start his North Side tenure. But, after he continued to blow leads time after time, the loving fanbase turned on him.

Over the past 20 years, there isn't a player on a Chicago team who received more merciless boos at home than Hawkins.

His inability to get tough outs, coupled with his contract and the promise of him being the needed stopper at the end of the bullpen, dragged him down a very uncomfortable road straight out of Chicago.

Now, as fans prepare for the Cubs' home opener, and with a stellar pitcher ready to conceivably take the job away from him, Gregg is looking at two distinct directions his Chicago career could go.

Will he be the next Rod Beck or the next LaTroy Hawkins?