No. 33 in the scorecard, No. 733 in our hearts
2 comments July 19th, 2008
Well, after two games in the post-All-Star Game world we live in, the Cubs have all two of their runs driven in by a center fielder who started the season creaky in San Diego and their switch-hitting pitcher.
This is not the way to run away with the NL Central.
While I would like the April-May Kosuke Fukudome to come back to the Chicago National League Ball Club someday, my anger will be directed toward Daryle Ward, or perhaps Lou Piniella for continuing to play Daryle Ward.
Why is he still on this team? Every time his name is mentioned during games or newscasts, he’s referred to as a solid bat off the bench, a real professional hitter.
When?
For the record, after Saturday’s pinch-hitting whiff, Ward is hitting .259 with one homer and eight RBIs. Not great, but not horrible.
However, his start of the season was ridiculous. He didn’t get his first hit (his aforementioned home run) until April 19, a 13-1 Cubs win over the Pirates. His second hit, on April 30, was in the 19-5 pounding of the Milwaukee Brewers.
His best stretch of the season was the three-game series in Bridgeport’s U.S. Cellular Field (6-for-11). Take that away, and Ward is 8-for-43 ( .186).
(Is it fair to take those games away from Ward? Sure, the Cubs lost them all.)
Micah Hoffpauir (.400) is back from Iowa. That might be news to some since Piniella hasn’t used him yet. With four runs scored since July 12, it might be nice of Piniella to at least give Hoffpauir the chance when a left-handed bat is required.
