What's the deal with Derrek Lee grounding into double plays so often? We're not even at the 80-game mark, and he has almost as many GDPs as he's ever had in a full season. His current pace puts him around 33, which would be more GDPs than anyone in the National League (at least back to 1933).
-- Chris G., Minneapolis

He's not trying to do it. When asked, Lee said: "It's one of those years -- double play's the thing. I don't know what to do differently. I don't want to strike out. I'd rather hit a line drive in the gap, obviously. I'm just hitting ground balls at the wrong time. I guess that's what it comes down to."

He was asked before Saturday's game, and then went 5-for-5. Lee does hit the ball hard, which results in more double plays.

I'd like to know Derrek Lee's batting average with men on base and with men in scoring position.
-- Steve A., Salt Lake City, Utah

Lee is hitting .299 with runners on and .299 with runners in scoring position.

Ryan Dempster is 9-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. Has any Cubs pitcher had a perfect record at home and been winless on the road for a whole season?
-- Mark P., Banner Elk, N.C.

I had to ask Cubs historian Ed Hartig on this one. If we don't set a minimum on home wins and road losses, then there are dozens of Cubs who were perfect at home and "un-perfect" on the road with 1-0 and 0-1 records. So, we'll set a minimum of three.

Sweetbreads Bailey is the only Cubs pitcher to win at least three games at home without a loss and to lose at least three on the road without a win. In 1919, he was 3-0 at home, and 0-5 on the road.

Also, note that Dizzy Dean, Darold Knowles, and Fergie Jenkins had the most wins in a season for the Cubs without a road win (six) but they weren't perfect at home. Dean was 6-2 at home, 0-2 on the road in 1939; Knowles was 6-4 at home, 0-5 on the road in 1975; and Jenkins was 6-5 at home, and 0-4 on the road in 1983.

Is there any chance of seeing Jeff Samardzija throwing in the Majors this year? With the season the Cubs are having, why not call him up sometime in August or September and let him throw a few innings in relief? With the run support the offense is capable of delivering, wouldn't it make sense to let the youngster throw for a team in contention and maybe boost his confidence a little? If Samardzija is one of the future faces of the franchise, the Cubs should get him a few innings in the Majors. What could it hurt?
-- Quent W., Bloomington, Ill.

Sorry, but I disagree. Players aren't called up to boost their "confidence." And Samardzija has never lacked confidence in anything he does. They should be called up to the big leagues when they're dominating in the Minor Leagues, or if there's a need on the big league team. One of the reasons Samardzija was bumped up to Triple-A was because the Iowa Cubs were shorthanded with Rich Hill struggling, Sean Marshall getting called up and Kevin Hart getting hit in the head with a line drive. You'll know when he's ready to be promoted.

Greetings from England. Great to see Jim Edmonds playing so well after his troubles in San Diego. Do you know what changed to make him play so well and what are his batting stats as a Cub compared to his 2008 season overall?
-- David R. Oxford, U.K.

He's healthy -- sort of. Edmonds had a strained right calf this spring when he was in the San Diego Padres' camp, which limited him in Spring Training. He's playing now with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and anyone who has had that knows how painful that is. Edmonds hit .178 in 26 games with the Padres, and is hitting .298 with the Cubs.

Have a question about the Cubs? E-mail your query to MLB.com Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

In the Cubs' nine-run inning against the White Sox [on June 21], I have not heard anyone mention that Edmonds went back-to-back with two different players in the same inning. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this before.
-- Jack B., Edmond, Okla.

It was the first time ever that the Cubs had back-to-back homers twice in the same inning.

What does Micah Hoffpauir have to do to stick with the big club? I would think batting .400 (14-for-35) would make it very easy for Lou Piniella to keep him up. Does he have plans to bring Hoffpauir up when the rosters expand?
-- Steve H., Pflugerville, Texas

Hoffpauir was sent down when Daryle Ward was activated because both he and Ward are left-handed bats, both play first and the corner-outfield spots. The difference is Ward is a veteran, has played in the postseason, hit .268 as a pinch-hitter last season for the Cubs and understands the role. I don't know if Hoffpauir will get called up again, but I hope so.

When did Steve Goodman write the "Go Cubs Go" song?
-- Deb Y., Plainfield, Ill.

He wrote it in 1984. And to everyone who has asked about downloading the song, I'm told it's available on iTunes.

I was having a debate with my brother as to why the baskets were put in place on the outfield wall. He thought it was to keep the ivy from growing too high, and I thought it was to prevent fans from interfering with balls in play. Can you help settle our dispute?
-- Tony P., Strawberry Point, Iowa

It has nothing to do with the ivy, but more to keep inebriated fans from going onto the field. The baskets were installed in 1970.

What's the latest word on Chad Fox?
-- Stella R., Chicago

Fox was recently examined by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews and was told he isn't done pitching. He has been waiting for the inflammation in his elbow to calm down before beginning a throwing program.

Like many others, I loved seeing the Cubs in the 1948 "throwback" uniforms. But was a mistake made on the caps? I'm rather sure in '48 that the cap was Cubbie blue (matching the great striped sox) with a solid red "C," such as the one sold by MLB as the Cubs' 1938-56 Cooperstown cap. Am I right or wrong?
-- Charles J., Tyler, Texas

Yes, the caps were wrong. I'm told there was a problem getting a perfect match to the '48 caps.

I have a wager that needs settling. Can you tell me the number of physical seats at Wrigley Field? When I went to the Cubs Web site, it was just over 41,000. The person I'm wagering fifth row Cubs-Brewers tickets against is convinced this includes standing room and is not valid. I need to know if there are in fact, more than 41,000 physical seats.
-- Emily S., Janesville, Wis.

The number of physical seats is 41,210. Hope you won.