What are you sticking in your 2 hole?

[bigpapaQ.]

I'm torn on who I want in the 2 hole. Theriot and Fontenot both have great speed and will take pitches. Fontenot has been hitting the ball a ton, but is a little streaky (as we saw with his mega hot streak followed by a pretty cool one). Theriot chooses better pitches to go after and seems more consistant, but those ground balls are killing me (and will put Fonz into double play situations). What do you all think?

[ryno4ever]

If Alfanso would start trying to steal more bases, the double play situation may not be such an issue. Get em on...get em over...get em in, right? Theriot has more stolen bases than Alfanso does, and Theriot doesn't play every day!

As far as the 2 hole.... I'd go withever who is hitting better at the time. With Lee hitting behind them, they see better pitches and better chance of getting on base. But it all goes back to Alfanso getting on and moving himself over to second. Those of you who remember '84, there was nothing more beautiful than watching Dernier getting on, stealing a base, and Ryno driving him in (The Daily Double).

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

ML managers want (typically) the 2nd hitter in the order to take pitches, make solid contact to right field, hit and run, bunt and be very selective. The no. 2 hitter matters just as much as the 1, 3, and 4 hitters because they, in a way, determine if and when a runner at first moves up on a sacrifice for the RBI guys to knock in. Also, a lefty bat is better for a speedy lead-off hitter, making a snap throw from a catcher more difficult. I am all in favor of manufacturing runs, but with Font in the 2 hole, I sleep much better at night :) . Most of this we all know.

[SKIPPER 11]

The key thing you said Nefi is make solid contact to right field. If Soriano does double, which is apt to do, or single and steal a base, you want the next guy to be able to hit behind the runner. Font, being lefthanded should be able to do this easier.
Bunting- from what I have seen Theriot is definately the better bunter of the two, however Lou hates wasting outs- I dont know why because moving a runner is a positive out.
Theriot definately can steal more bases too.

I think the big reason though that Font hits 2 is that it breaks up all the RHs in a row. If Theriot is in there , you will have 4 in a row.

As far as Theriot playing everyday Ryno, he should be. I had my doubts about his SS ability earlier in the season, but he has played extremely well there. I could not understand why he did not play yesterday.

[ChinMusic22]

Fontenot is streaky, but I think that in the long run he will be the better player over Theriot. As for the two hole, both are suitible, but I'd prefer Fontenot.

On a completely different subject, did any read Neifi was suspended 25 games for a failed speed test...

[SKIPPER 11]

I just read about it, it has to be his second failed test to be suspended that long. Tough luck for the Tigers, Neifi was playing quite a bit for them.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I just read about it, it has to be his second failed test to be suspended that long. Tough luck for the Tigers, Neifi was playing quite a bit for them.

Not as much as he would if Dusty was his manager :D

[SKIPPER 11]

Not as much as he would if Dusty was his manager :D

You are definately correct.

[BigZ38]

I like Fontenot in this spot. He takes a lot of pitches and gets a lot of base hits. If he struggles then I think it will be turned over to Theriot again. The only reason Theriot lost it is because he struggled for so long.

[ChiCubs1984]

I like the play of Fontenot. Still looks like a little kid playing baseball. I like the way he plays with heart and do anything the team wants, Doesn't hit for power and slaps hits everywhere kinda reminds me of another guy wearing #17.

[SKIPPER 11]

I like the play of Fontenot. Still looks like a little kid playing baseball. I like the way he plays with heart and do anything the team wants, Doesn't hit for power and slaps hits everywhere kinda reminds me of another guy wearing #17.

You have got to be kidding me ChiCUBS1884. That other #17 announces for the Mets now and still thinks he is Gods greatest gift to the world. You are talking about Keith Hernandez right. Oh maybe you are talking about The Amazing one- Mark Grace.

Just having a little fun , ready for the game tonight.

[BigZ38]

I didn't really start watching the Cubs until about 2002 so I wouldn't be the person to ask, but from what I've heard it sounds like Mark Grace is deserving of having his jersey retired by the Cubs. What do you guys think?

[SKIPPER 11]

He was a very good player. I cant remember the exact year but we were playing in SD, and our normal 1b got hurt. In stepped Grace. It seemed like he hit about 10 doubles that week and he never came out again. I think he led all of baseball in hits in the 1990s. He was a very good defensive player too.

He normally hit .310- .315 yearly with around 10 HRs and 90 rbi. Definitely not the prototypical slugging 1B, but he did hit a ton of doubles.

[SKIPPER 11]

As far as the number being retired, I was not around for the Santo era, but for some reason Rammy wears 16 and 10 was his number with the Pirates. I wouldnt say Grace had the career Santo did, but he was a very popular player and definetely an all time Cub great. If you ask about numbers being retired, it pains me to watch Marquis pitch wearing 21. That is the number that should be retired.