The Official Site of The Chicago Cubs: News: Soriano to move back atop lineup

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The Cubs In Wonderland
Published 4/2/2008 by Wrigleyville at wrigleyville23
When asked two weeks ago if Alfonso Soriano would "ever" bat leadoff again, Lou Piniella said: "Not right now, no," Piniella said. "With the cold weather in Chicago, taking away that responsibility where he has to run, run, run, that's a recipie where we're looking for problems. We'll keep Theriot in the No. 1 hole." We were of course skeptical - and predicted this would change by April 21, when Soriano would be moved back into the leadoff spot. Instead, it took just two games: "It's something I've been thinking about since the end of Spring Training, and we'll go with it," Piniella said. "Soriano is running better. We'll put ...

"My, Mr. Piniella, You Have Such High Hair!"
Published 4/3/2008 by Cubnut at A Hundred Next Years
The Hardball Times flagged this fascinating story by Alan Schwarz in Tuesday's New York Times, a description of the work of Swarthmore College mathematician and avid Yankees fan Steve Wang. Employing an analytical method called Chernoff faces, in which data are represented by varying heights, widths, and angles in images of human faces, Wang reflects the strategic tendencies of all 30 Major League managers from the 2007 season. If I understand the explanation of Wang's analysis, the Piniella Chernoff face suggests Lou's relatively frequent use of pinch runners (the upward swoosh of the hair), the disinclination to use the sacrifice bunt (the ...

Game 2: Brewers 8 - Cubs 2
Published 4/3/2008 at thecubsfan.com » chicago national league ball club
... a long way and there's worse things to do at 87. Anyway, it sounds like this was something worked out over the spring and had been in the plans for a while, but the club just kept it quiet until now. There was some thought going on, it wasn't some snap decision. Soriano to move back atop lineup ... Was Lee surprised by the move? "I guess I shouldn't be," Lee said, chuckling. "Lou likes to shuffle things around." - Cubs.com So the story we're supposed to go with is Lou thought about doing this at the end ...

AL & NL Central News - 4/3
Published 4/3/2008 by Ian at SOX & Dawgs
The Astros are ready to send Kazuo Matsui out on a rehab assignment. Victor Martinez will return for the Indians on Friday. Jason Kendall is enjoying hitting out of the 9th hole for the Brewers. Joey Gathright will man center field for the Royals with David DeJesus out. Rick Ankiel was the man for the Cardinals last night. Injured Tigers OF Curtis Granderson will have x-rays on his hand Saturday. Alfonso Soriano is moving back to the top of the Cubs lineup. Justin Morneau is struggling at the plate for the Twins. Pirates OF Jason Bay finally talked about the ball he ...