You go--we go; they're gone!

By Vince Alexander

Good pitching. Good defense. Good power. All those things are needed to be a World Series baseball champion.

In my opinion, a good lead-off man should be added to that category--especially if you are a Chicago Cubs fan.

I'm a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan.

Nobody was happier when the Chicago Cubs broke their 100-year World Series championship drought by winning the 2016 World Series. The Cubs did it thanks to their good lead-off man Dexter Fowler.

Fowler is now with the rival St. Louis Cardinals, who have a four-game lead over the Cubs in the National League's North Division. As for the Cubs, they are dangling like a baby tooth for the final Wild Card Playoff spot with a 79-68 record.

Not bad, but without a legitimate lead-off man you have a better chance of winning a scratch-off lottery ticket.

Since Fowler left the Cubs, they have played a lot of losing numbers: Albert Almora, Jr., Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Ian Happ, and Ben Zobrist all trying to replace Fowler in the lead-off spot. Great players but not lead-off men.

The Cubs are one of the most powerful teams in the Major Leagues. Six players have more than 20 home runs heading into October. Kyle Schwarber (35), Javier Baez (29), Kris Bryant (28), Rizzo (26),  Willson Contreras (23), and Heyward (21) make for a potent lineup.

The problem is the Cubs are slow, turtle slow. Baez (11) is the only Cubs player with more than 10 stolen bases.

Speed is important for the lead-off man. First you have to get on base. Next, you have to be a threat to steal second base. Last, you have to be able to score on a single from second base, or tag up and score on a fly ball from third base. A lead-off man has to be fast.

In 2016, Fowler did these things. He was on base 39 percent of the time. In only 125 games, he scored 84 runs. Translation: he scored a run in about 75 percent of the games he played.

That's a problem for the Cubs. When the Cubs go into a power-hitting slump, they struggle to score runs. They don't have the ability to manufacture runs with sacrifice-fly balls, taking walks, and advancing to the next base without a long ball.

When Fowler played for the Cubs, Manager Joe Madden told Fowler, "You go--we go!" This meant, if Fowler got on base, the Cubs had a good chance of scoring runs and winning the game.

But with Fowler playing for the "Red Turds" (Cardinals), it means "You go--they go--and we watch them win the division championship."
And that's not cool!

Cub fans continue to "wait until next year"

By Vince Alexander

              It is half way through the Major League Baseball season, and many people are still following the Cubs.

            Or is it “The Flubs,” as my brother, an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, calls them.
            Despite the funny names the Cubs have been given, many fans keep following them because they are eternal optimists. In their eyes, it’s going to rain soon, the grass will turn green again, the sun will come out, and we will all be enjoying our gardens soon.
             Just be patient.
             Everything will be fine.
             Although the Cubs haven’t won a World Series championship in more than 100 years and are currently 19 games under the .500 mark, there are several reasons to continue to watch the Cubs.
             Just be patient.
             Everything will be fine.
             First, there’s Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs have been touting Rizzo for several months, and they finally called him up from their Class AAA minor league team in Iowa. Rizzo hasn’t been a disappointment. In his first 12 games, he has four home runs and 12 RBI. The Cubs have won eight of those games and Rizzo’s hits have come at critical times, seemingly putting a few blooms on a dying rose garden.
             Watching Rizzo hit is worth it. With the exception of the slight wiggle with his hands, his mechanics are perfect. He doesn’t have any wasted movements and his swing is lightning quick as he consistently drives the ball with his legs and core. If you like home run hitters, Rizzo is your next perennial power hitting slugger.
             Rizzo’s stance and hand placement is reminiscent of three players: Former Cub greats Ernie Banks and Billy Williams and former San Francisco Giants great Willie McCovey. If you are too young to remember these guys, look at their statues.  Also, you should research (google) their career statistics. These players were awesome hitters.
             Rizzo, 23, has been batting third in the Cubs’ lineup. In front of Rizzo, batting second, is Starlin Castro. Castro is one of the most exciting young shortstops in the league. Although he’s 22 years old, he was called up to the Cubs when he was 19. Yes, he made a lot of errors at shortstop, but his defensive improvement must be applauded.
             But it is Castro’s bat that keeps fans glued to the Cubs. Castro is a versatile hitter, and fans love the fact that he has speed. He has seven home runs, seven triples, and 10 doubles. When he gets a single, he is a threat to steal second. He has 16 steals in 23 attempts. With Castro, baseball is not boring. For the second straight year, he has made the National League All-Star team.
            Bryan LaHair is another reason to watch the Cubs. After spending almost a decade playing in the minor leagues, LaHair is finally getting a chance to play regularly in the big leagues. After playing most of the season at first base, he was moved to right field to make room for Rizzo. But it is LaHair’s bat that keeps fans interested in the Cubs. LaHair, 29, made the All-Star team by hitting .286 with 14 home runs and 30 RBI. He also is a candidate for the NL’s Rookie of the Year, but he may have to beat out Rizzo.
            LaHair is a great Cubs story. Go unnoticed. Work your butt off. And get rewarded.
            So what if it has been more than 100 years since the Cubs have won a World Series championship.
            Just be patient.
            Everything will be fine.
            And one day, “The Flubs” will also be called a World Series champion!

Cubs fans: "Wait Til Next Year!"

            By Vince Alexander
            You’ve got to be a Chicago Cubs fan to fully understand.
            I’ve seen the pattern for about 40 years; others for longer.
            For years, by July, Cub fans have shouted, “Wait til next year!”
            This year is no different; therefore, it’s time for the Cubs to make a trade or two and call up a couple more minor leaguers.
            As a longtime Cubs fan, I propose two moves after watching the Cubs lose a series to the lowly Kansas City Royals. To fix the Cubs problem and keep Cub fans interested in the team, first the Cubs should trade first baseman Carlos Pena while he’s hot to a contender for a strong starting pitching prospect.
            In the post-steroid era, teams are winning with strong starting pitching and defense. The Cubs need a strong fourth and fifth pitcher to go with current starters Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Matt Garza. Since Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner were injured to start the season, every pitcher the Cubs have used fell short of major-league standards. Rodrigo Lopez couldn’t get it done. Doug Davis couldn’t do it. James Russell couldn’t do it. And despite the many opportunities – Casey Coleman wasn’t ready.
            As for Wells, his arm still isn't right.
            Pena should be traded for a top pitching prospect. In Pena’s place, the Cubs may as well see how Bryan LeHair will fair against Major League pitchers before they shop for a Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers or Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both Fielder and Pujols are first basemen who will be free agents at the end of the season.
            Before the Cubs dip into the free agent market for a slugging first baseman, they need to see if LeHair can play. This season, LeHair, 29, was hitting .369 with 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 74 games for Triple A Iowa. He is 6-foot-5 and weighs 240 pounds.
            Why not give LeHair a shot? This season, the Cubs had a record of 32-46 and going nowhere fast. LeHair could be put in the middle of the lineup with right-handers Aramis Ramirez, Alphonso Soriano, and Marlon Byrd.
            The second trade should involve Cubs catcher Geovony Soto. Soto hasn’t hit well since his rookie season, and he could be traded for another pitching prospect. In Soto’s place, it’s time to call up catcher Wellington Castro. Soto was hitting .220 with seven home runs and 18 RBI. At Triple A Iowa, Castro was hitting .313 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI.
            After all, Zambrano was right: The Cubs are “playing like a Triple A team.” If that’s the case, bring up the team’s deserving Triple A players and at the end of the season get involved in the Fielder or Pujols bidding war -- and “wait til next year!”