Easy for me to say, right?
Making a new year's resolution for someone else?
But maaan, Derrek Lee hit into 27 double plays last year, and that's a ton.
Still feels like I saw every one.
Remember the '06 broken wrist?
That had to hurt like a mutha, but the Cubs were SO awful he felt he had to get back... I still admire the guy for that.
Wrists are goofy joints with a bunch of bones in them, a bunch of ligaments and stuff.
The swing of a baseball player is also a goofy thing, with a bunch of hitches and hand-to-eye stuff.
Anyway, kind of a stretch, but maybe his wrist was still a little weak last year.
And maybe next season he's smoking the ball over the shortstop's head (or just out of the park would be nice) rather than hitting those freaking grounders.
So I say, "OUT you DOUBLE PLAY DEMONS! OUT!"
And, because I've been hearing Derrek's name being mentioned along with the word "trade", I'm gonna put some Bruce Miles/Daily Herald stuff in here from Oct 29.
That's a long time ago in the world of hot stove happenings, but here:
"Speaking of no-trade clauses, the same thing applies to first baseman Derrek Lee, whom everybody wants to deal this winter. I got news for you - the Cubs aren't trading Lee, who took a lesser deal to stay with the Cubs a couple years ago in exchange for that no-trade clause. That's not to say there aren't some red flags about Lee and where his career is headed. Among first basemen in the NL Central, he ranked sixth in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) behind St. Louis' Albert Pujols, Houston's Lance Berkman, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, Cincinnati's Joey Votto and Pittsburgh's Adam LaRoche. That should be a major concern to Hendry, but the Cubs don't seem to be panicked over Lee's drop in slugging (even though his on-base was good this year). On top of it, Lou loves Lee's quiet leadership in the clubhouse. And although Micah Hoffpauir appears to be the flavor of the month among many observers, there's no evidence he can produce every day at the big-league level. The bottom line, like it or not, is that Lee will be the Cubs' first baseman come Opening Day 2009."
I love Hoffpauir (Bud, I know you do too but I think you're thinking outfield), but Bruce has got a point or two.
Lastly, Miguel Tejada of the (I Hate The) Astros was the NL league leader (in fact, the ALL TIME NL leader) with thirty two GIDPs last year.
