Come to Think of It: Cubs Need to Start Doing the Hustle

The Chicago Cubs' TV color man, Bob Brenly, was uncharacteristically blunt on Saturday night when he said: “What will it take to get these guys to start running hard?”

Brenly was referring to a play that occurred in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, when Ryan Theriot barely scored ahead of Milton Bradley’s attempt to stretch a single into a double.

It was an important play at the time, since Theriot’s run gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead.

But it could have just as well applied to any number of instances this season, especially recently.

Alfonso Soriano has been running at less than full steam ever since his leg injuries started.

In fact, on Saturday, when he was doubled off of second base, he didn’t even attempt to get back to the bag. What if the throw was off the mark? Well, he would have still been out, that’s what.

It’s become an epidemic, and Lou Piniella and his coaching staff have got to address this now, and in no uncertain terms.

Brenly went on to suggest that perhaps the coaches need a cattle prod to force the guys to run hard.

Is it too much to ask millionaire ballplayers to run hard and play the game the right way? I think not.

Throughout a 162 game season, mental mistakes will be made. But mental errors and lack of hustle continue to drain this team of an opportunity to be better than what it has shown. It’s as if after winning 97 games last year, they think they can simply turn it on and off whenever they want.

Well, it doesn’t work that way.

This attitude extends to the coaching staff as well. Lou Piniella has been out-managed thus far in the Colorado series.

Brenly started to take what appeared to be a shot at him, when he asked how many hits by Todd Helton would be needed before the second baseman was shifted more to the middle.

But he quickly rescinded that “shot” by saying that even if they had positioned the second baseman up the middle, Helton was such a good hitter that he likely would pull the ball down the first base line.

But we get where he was going.

Asleep at the wheel? Perhaps.

Why do I say that?

Well, twice in the past two days, Lou decided not to pinch hit for the pitcher. In Friday’s game, it cost him. In Saturday’s game, Ryan Theriot’s bloop single bailed him out.

Hey, I understand the bullpen has been overtaxed, and Lou has to think long-term. But doesn't he want to win?

The Cubs ended up winning game two, but all I ask for as a fan is some hustle and some solid managerial strategy.

Is that too much to ask, come to think of it?