NewsInbox: How clutch is Theriot?
Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat answers fans' questions
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
05/11/09 3:39 PM ET
Ryan Theriot's stats, Carlos Zambrano's replacement, the sale of the Cubs, and Don Kessinger are among the topics in this week's Inbox. Send your questions about the Cubs, and please include your full name and hometown.
I know Ryan Theriot has had some clutch hits recently, but very rarely do you see a batting average go up as the situation needs it more. He is batting .346 with runners in scoring position. My question is: What is his average with runners on and two outs? I can't find that statistic anywhere. Does he lead the team in that category?
-- Michael G., Orlando, Fla.
Theriot, who is batting .299 overall, was hitting .304 (7-for-23) when there are runners on and two outs, which is great, but not first among his teammates. Theriot was batting .258 with the bases empty; .353 with runners on; .346 with runners in scoring position; .455 with RISP and two outs; and .333 with the bases loaded. Micah Hoffpauir leads the team, batting .455 (5-for-11) with runners on and two outs (and .571 with RISP and two outs), Kosuke Fukudome is batting .444 (4-for-9) with men on and two outs (and .474 with RISP); and Aramis Ramirez was hitting .368 with men on and two outs.
With Carlos Zambrano on the disabled list, why wouldn't Jeff Samardzija be brought into the fifth spot in the rotation instead of Randy Wells, seeing how he battled for that spot in Spring Training?
-- Travis M., Kaukauna, Wis.
Because Wells had built up arm strength and had been stretched out, innings wise, at Triple-A Iowa much more than Samardzija, who had thrown 3 1/3 innings over five games from April 23-May 5 for the Cubs. Wells had appeared in five games, totaling 26 innings. Wells did fine in his first Major League start on Friday vs. Milwaukee, throwing five scoreless innings.
Why is Milton Bradley still appealing his two-game suspension? Wouldn't it have been better for the team and for him to have served those games as long as he was out with an injury? It makes no sense to me that he would wait to serve those games while he's healthy.
-- Nick C., Winfield, Ill.
Because Bradley feels he is being falsely accused of making contact with the umpire. It's a matter of principle.
I was just wondering about the health, rehab and future of Mark Prior. Any word on how things are going for him?
-- John F., O'Fallon, Mo.
Prior was rehabbing at the Padres' Spring Training facility in Peoria, Ariz., and reported soreness in his right shoulder after a bullpen session in late April. At that time, San Diego manager Bud Black said Prior "might have to take a step back" in his rehab. Prior hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2006, and has undergone two surgeries to his shoulder since '07.
Why was Luis Vizcaino released?
-- Scott W., Buchanan, Mich.
Because the team did not have confidence in him.
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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.
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What's the new target date for the ownership change, the All-Star Game? It took the founding fathers less time to draft the Constitution than for the lawyers to finalize this transaction.
-- Gerry R., Port Byron, Ill.
There is no deadline. Tom Ricketts has raised $400 million for the deal and planned to borrow the rest. But because of the recession, the Ricketts family has had difficulty getting the financing. The deal also must be approved by a bankruptcy judge. The Tribune Co. filed for Chapter 11 protection last December. The team has won two National League Central titles since the "for sale" sign was first posted. It's business as usual.
I'm a soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard deployed to Afghanistan. If I take a picture of me with the white "W" flag flying, would you be interested in posting it on the site?
-- Chris C., Sycamore, Ill.
We'd be honored to do so.
Over the past few years during special events at Wrigley, I've seen a lot of players from the late '60s and early '70s (Glenn Beckert, Billy Williams, Ernie Banks, Randy Hundley, Ron Santo, Ferguson Jenkins). One person I haven't seen is Don Kessinger. Any news on what has become of him?
-- Don S., Culpeper, VA
Kessinger is the boss of Kessinger Real Estate in Oxford, Miss., and specializes in commercial, residential and land sales.
I was thinking the power outage at Miller Park was an attempt to stop the Cubs' momentum in the eighth. Now, seeing the Brewers score a bunch of runs in the eighth, I believe this even more. Are the Cubs going to file a protest?
-- Elliott B., Naperville, Ill.
No. However, the Klement's sausage races are rigged.
Why are the Cubs' logos crooked on their batting helmets? I know it's nitpicking, but instead of the ends of the "C" being at the same angle, one is flat and the other is at a 45-degree angle. Originally, I thought it was only one or two helmets, but it seems like all of them are like that.
-- Matt P., Tampa, Fla.
Since you wrote, Zambrano (hamstring), Ramirez (shoulder), and Chad Fox (elbow) have been placed on the disabled list; the Cubs dealt Joey Gathright for Ryan Freel; the bullpen gave up 10 runs in 4 2/3 innings in two games in Milwaukee, both losses; Chicago relievers have compiled a 5.40 ERA; Geovany Soto is batting .169, Derrek Lee .209, and Bradley .179; and the Cardinals lead the National League Central. You're nitpicking, Matt.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
