Over time, a number of ballplayers have shared their major league career with both Chicago baseball franchises. Even Cub heroes like Ron Santo had to ride the red line to stop over by 35th and Shields late in their career. Meanwhile, Sox television personality Steve Stone, and also radio 670 color man Darrin Jackson made stops on both sides of town in their pilgrimage in the majors. One Sox player that has 'toured the city' recently is their current 5 foot, 9 inch leadoff man, Juan Pierre. Pierre, once again is putting together a solid, productive season at the top of a contending team's lineup without anyone really noticing. Has there been a more steady leadoff man since 2001 besides Ichiro? Pierre is Kenny Lofton without a 7 1/2 lb. chain, Jose Reyes without the astronomical ego and model posing. Ever since Pierre shaved that heinous half-mustache that he rocked in his days in the mile high city, he has made a career out of invariably fouling off good pitches long enough until he can hit a weak looper over the shortstop's head, pull up his Greg Maddux edition stirrups, steal second base like a midnight criminal, and eventually be driven home to score.
With the edition of Manny Ramirez, the Sox are looking for someone in the 5th spot of their lineup that will: A) protect AL MVP candidate Paul Konerko in the cleanup position, and B) drive in the first 4 hitters of the White Sox top-heavy lineup (Pierre: .284, Vizquel/Ramirez: .285/.285, Rios: .293, Konerko: .320) So often times it's Juan though who gets the Sox started by forcing the pitcher to labor through a double-digit amount of pitches in the first AB of the game to set the table (fitting, because he kind of does look like a busboy, doesn't he?) for the rest of the White Sox lineup. Aside from hitting in the mid .280's, Juan has reputable range in the outfield and tracks down balls well despite possibly having a weaker arm than a member of the Oak Park U-14 travel team.
When Juan became a Cub in 2003, he was fresh off his series winning performance in the Fall Classic and eventually his paltry rap performance at the Marlins victory parade. Still, he came into Chicago and hit .292, lead the National League in: hits, at-bats, games played, bunt-hits, infield hits, and had the lowest strikeout percentage in the MLB at 5.4%. Nonetheless, Cubs fans were disappointed because of the teams deplorable last place finish closing up the season one game behind the lowly Pirates, despite the productivity of their leadoff hitter. In L.A.,he was benched behind his current Sox teammates Andruw "the diamond dinosaur" Jones and Manny Ramirez. Then, while Manny was suspended for 50 games in 2009 for being hopped up on estrogen and seasons of Sex and the City, Pierre stepped in at left field for the Dodgers and kept them near the top of the division from the top of the lineup before Manny's return. Now, with an 11 stolen base stranglehold on the American League lead with the White Sox this season, Pierre is once again doing what he does best--get to the front of the line, get there early, and get there often.
As for pick of the day, since the Pulse man picked a parlay for yesterday's bet, we'll stay true to that bet so we don't feel like Charlie Sheen at an Atlantic City craps table by having too much money on the table. So, we're rooting for John Lester to take down the Baltimore Birds while simultaneously pulling for Johnny "Chili Con" Cueto to keep a handle on the Brew Crew.
Pick of the Day: Parlay- Red Sox vs. Orioles, RED SOX (-210) and Brewers vs. Reds, REDS (-169) total odds: (+160)
Record: (14-11-0)
2nd Manny being Manny Moment: Reinsdorf tells Ramirez he needs to do something with his hair. So, with the Boston road trip coming up, Manny calls his former barber L'Montro to set up an appointment for a trim. Little does Reinsdorf know, he's probably getting a box-top fade.
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