TWalker would like to bat lead-off

[Laura]

According to Paul Sullivan.

 

Paul Sullivan/The Trib[/url]"]Todd Walker would like to get a shot as the Cubs' leadoff hitter but won't go so far as to ask manager Dusty Baker to put him in that slot, as Corey Patterson did Tuesday in Milwaukee.

 

"That was probably after they came to him first," Walker said. "If they come up to me … I don't feel like it's my job [to ask]. It's [baker's] job. I give him a lot of credit for what he knows, and he has theories way beyond my opinions."

 

Baker said he has considered it, but likes Walker in the sixth spot, protecting Aramis Ramirez.

 

"That's the only reason why Todd is down there," Baker said. "I know Todd can hit, and I know Todd can drive in those runs, and I know they're more apt to throw Aramis better pitches and Jeromy Burnitz better pitches if Todd can hit in that sixth hole for now." ...

 

"My whole theory is you can't steal first base," Walker said. "I'm not going to steal bases, but ultimately you have to get on. Let's face it, what difference does it make if you're stealing second when Derrek Lee is hitting like he is—home runs and doubles."

 

But Baker doesn't seem interested in letting Walker move up.

 

"I've learned that even though you may have certain opinions on things, Dusty is more knowledgeable than most people give him credit for," Walker said. "I'm getting on base, and that's the important thing. Corey can flat out carry a team. He's a great player. But right now he's not playing like he's capable. (Friday's game with Scott Podsednik sparking the Sox) was a perfect example of the difference a leadoff guy can affect a game."

 

 

The article doesn't let Neifi off the hook either -- it just points out that it sure would be nice to have someone on base for DLee.

[Laura]

I just hope he doesn't end up in the doghouse for this and we're treated to weeks of Jose Macias at 2B.

 

Macias would probably get to leadoff, though. You gotta bat him somewhere.

[rocket]

"My whole theory is you can't steal first base," Walker said. I'm not going to steal bases, but ultimately you have to get on. Let's face it, what difference does it make if you're stealing second when Derrek Lee is hitting like he is—home runs and doubles."

 

luvluvluv todd walker

[OldHappyCubFan]

This is what I love, somebody with balls speaking their mind.

 

He kinda has a little dig at c-patt at the end there. Walker speaks his mind, which is great.

[badger1679666666]

I don't think Corey will be happy when he reads this. I'm sure Dusty isn't happy either, but Dusty is the moron who keeps our worst OBP guys from the top of the lineup, because he has a perpetual hard on for speed, even though he doesn't realize you need to get on base to USE speed.

 

Good for T-Walk, at least someone realizes MVLee should have people to knock in, in front of him.

[jjgman21]

I don't think Corey will be happy when he reads this. I'm sure Dusty isn't happy either, but Dusty is the moron who keeps our worst OBP guys from the top of the lineup, because he has a perpetual hard on for speed, even though he doesn't realize you need to get on base to USE speed.

 

Good for T-Walk, at least someone realizes MVLee should have people to knock in, in front of him.

 

and even though Baker doesn't let his 1-2 guys steal in front of his 3-4 guys anyway. so it begs the question, why insist on speed at the top if you never use it anyway? Walker's no Patterson, but he's fast enough and a good enough baserunner to score from second on singles and first on doubles.

[bhogg]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

 

It's obivious that this is Todd's way of saying "Baker is a moron."

 

A guy who couldn't get on base to save his life asks to be leadoff and gets it. A guy who gets on base better than most on this team AND has experience hitting lead off makes mention of hitting lead off and baker doesn't consider it.

 

Bizzaro Word I tells ya!!!

[erik316wttn]

I'd love Walker leading off. Who would be in the 2-hole, though? Hopefully not Neifi. Maybe Barrett?

[erik316wttn]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

Potential and 50 cents will buy you a phone call. What you DO with that potential is what counts.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

LISTEN TO TODD, DUSTY.

 

I've been calling for Walker-Barrett 1-2 for weeks.

[erik316wttn]

LISTEN TO TODD, DUSTY.

 

I've been calling for Walker-Barrett 1-2 for weeks.

 

I wonder if, when the day comes that either Dusty or Walker leaves Chicago first, if Walker will rip Dusty in the press like he did/has Tom Kelly after he left Minnesota.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Before everyone jumps on Walker, the Daily Heraldgives a different take.

 

“I’m going to do whatever Dusty wants me to do,” Walker said. “I would love to be at the top of the lineup. That’s where I’ve been most of my life. I’m not going to steal bases. I think ultimately you have to get on. It’s certainly different when you have Derrek Lee hitting homers and doubles.

 

“I’ve learned that even though you may have certain opinions, Dusty is more knowledgeable than most people probably give him credit for. I’m getting on base and that’s the most important thing. Corey can flat-out carry a team. He’s a great player But right now, he’s not playing like he’s capable of.”

 

 

Walker expresses that he's comfortable at the top of the order. He also defers to what he calls Dusty's knowledge and says Corey can "carry a team."

 

Walker sounds like the consumate teammate in those regards. He's expressing his desires while stating that he knows his manager has reasons and he respects that.

[10man]

Let Hairston lead-off and put Walker in the 2-hole.

 

Jerry can play LF. We don't need power from our LF spot since Lee, Aram, Burnitz, etc. have that covered. Just allow these guys to get on in front of all those XBH's.

[CubinNY]

Before everyone jumps on Walker, the Daily Heraldgives a different take.

 

“I’m going to do whatever Dusty wants me to do,” Walker said. “I would love to be at the top of the lineup. That’s where I’ve been most of my life. I’m not going to steal bases. I think ultimately you have to get on. It’s certainly different when you have Derrek Lee hitting homers and doubles.

 

“I’ve learned that even though you may have certain opinions, Dusty is more knowledgeable than most people probably give him credit for. I’m getting on base and that’s the most important thing. Corey can flat-out carry a team. He’s a great player But right now, he’s not playing like he’s capable of.”

 

 

Walker expresses that he's comfortable at the top of the order. He also defers to what he calls Dusty's knowledge and says Corey can "carry a team."

 

Walker sounds like the consumate teammate in those regards. He's expressing his desires while stating that he knows his manager has reasons and he respects that.

 

Yea, it is amazing how different Walker's comments come across, depending on whose column you read.

 

Sullivan should write for the gossip column and not the sports page. Hack!

 

Miles' column was a lot more ballanced

[Mizzou]

How long does Dusty leave Corey in the leadoff role? In the 4 games since asking to be put there, he's 2 for 19 with 8 strikeouts and no walks. His OBP is all the way down to .278 (and for the month of June it's at an utterly pathetic .207).

 

Walker is a no brainer. Why the heck he's not leading off by now is beyond me. The majority of his career at bats have come when leading off, and while batting first, he hits for a .291 average, with a .349 OBP.

[bhogg]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

Potential and 50 cents will buy you a phone call. What you DO with that potential is what counts.

 

 

i'd rather it buy me a snickers bar. . . when they are on sale, of course.

[Slugger_16]

Before everyone jumps on Walker, the Daily Heraldgives a different take.

 

“I’m going to do whatever Dusty wants me to do,” Walker said. “I would love to be at the top of the lineup. That’s where I’ve been most of my life. I’m not going to steal bases. I think ultimately you have to get on. It’s certainly different when you have Derrek Lee hitting homers and doubles.

 

“I’ve learned that even though you may have certain opinions, Dusty is more knowledgeable than most people probably give him credit for. I’m getting on base and that’s the most important thing. Corey can flat-out carry a team. He’s a great player But right now, he’s not playing like he’s capable of.”

 

 

Walker expresses that he's comfortable at the top of the order. He also defers to what he calls Dusty's knowledge and says Corey can "carry a team."

 

Walker sounds like the consumate teammate in those regards. He's expressing his desires while stating that he knows his manager has reasons and he respects that.

 

Wait a minute Vance. Are you saying that Paul Sullivan is trying to start controversy? That's unfathomable.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Before everyone jumps on Walker, the Daily Heraldgives a different take.

 

“I’m going to do whatever Dusty wants me to do,” Walker said. “I would love to be at the top of the lineup. That’s where I’ve been most of my life. I’m not going to steal bases. I think ultimately you have to get on. It’s certainly different when you have Derrek Lee hitting homers and doubles.

 

“I’ve learned that even though you may have certain opinions, Dusty is more knowledgeable than most people probably give him credit for. I’m getting on base and that’s the most important thing. Corey can flat-out carry a team. He’s a great player But right now, he’s not playing like he’s capable of.”

 

 

Walker expresses that he's comfortable at the top of the order. He also defers to what he calls Dusty's knowledge and says Corey can "carry a team."

 

Walker sounds like the consumate teammate in those regards. He's expressing his desires while stating that he knows his manager has reasons and he respects that.

 

Wait a minute Vance. Are you saying that Paul Sullivan is trying to start controversy? That's unfathomable.

 

I'd never say that. ;)

 

All, I'm saying is that if you want to read the best coverage of what's going on, you should check out the Daily Herald.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

Let Hairston lead-off and put Walker in the 2-hole.

 

Jerry can play LF. We don't need power from our LF spot since Lee, Aram, Burnitz, etc. have that covered. Just allow these guys to get on in front of all those XBH's.

 

There is no reason why Todd Walker shouldn't be hitting at the top of the lineup, regardless of whether it's Neifi or Hairston up there with him. For Baker to say he needs Walker as protection is an explanation that I don't buy given the strengths of the other players on this club. Yes, Walker is hitting .390/10 rbi w/RISP, but in a limited 22 ab. However, his ability to get on base at a .360 rate outweighs the "protection" arguement, especially when you consider Michael Barrett. I'm not sure how many people recognize it, but Barrett is having a wonderful season w/RISP. In 54 ab, Barrett is .370/1.112/29 rbi. Second-best (by far) of those on the Cubs with 50 ab. If anyone should be protecting Ramirez, it should be Michael Barrett.

 

Additionally, Barrett's .274 OBP with no one on doesn't lend him to starting a rally at the top of the lineup. Of course, it's no coincidence that other than Lee; Hairston(.338), Walker(.333), and Perez(.333) are the best on the club in OBP w/ none on.

 

And finally, Corey Patterson is the worst amongst all regulars with none-on base --- a .270 OBP. As Walkah so accurately stated; "you can't steal first base." Corey Patterson is the prime example of this.

 

Baker continues to assemble a lineup beyond explaination and one that doesn't work for this club given its parts.

[nilodnayr]

Let Hairston lead-off and put Walker in the 2-hole.

 

Jerry can play LF. We don't need power from our LF spot since Lee, Aram, Burnitz, etc. have that covered. Just allow these guys to get on in front of all those XBH's.

 

Yes Yes Yes!!!

 

Thats exactly what I have been saying as well. We have others who can protect ARAM. Ideally we trade patterson and whoever for a big corner outfielding bat to put in between lee and aram. Slide Hairston in to lead off and centerfield. And for good measure bench Neifi and call up and permanently start cedeno. I like Barrett hitting in the 8 hole rather than the two hole because he is more of an average guy than walk guy. He will (and did last year) change his approach when hitting second to take more walks and see more pitches. However I feel that like last year thats a pretty difficult change to make and it would affect his overall production. Last year his average was 50 points lower hitting second than hitting seventh or eighth.

 

Hairston

Walker

Lee

Aquisition

ARam

Burnitz

Cedeno

Barrett

[dalgreen]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

 

It's obivious that this is Todd's way of saying "Baker is a moron."

 

A guy who couldn't get on base to save his life asks to be leadoff and gets it. A guy who gets on base better than most on this team AND has experience hitting lead off makes mention of hitting lead off and baker doesn't consider it.

 

Bizzaro Word I tells ya!!!

 

Is it really obvious or did you just happen to skip over the Dusty is knowledgeable quote? So, which is it?

 

Look, Walker won't hit at the top of the order until Hendry makes a move for a true everyday leftfielder or until Baker switches Ramirez and Burnitz in the order. If you move Walker up, Ramirez will never have an official at-bat the rest of the year. Barrett is no protection for Ramirez. And people must have already forgotten Barrett was pretty bad in the #2 hole last year. I just don't get why some think Barrett can be a successful #2 hitter. He drives me nuts with some of his at-bats.

[frostwyrm]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

 

It's obivious that this is Todd's way of saying "Baker is a moron."

 

A guy who couldn't get on base to save his life asks to be leadoff and gets it. A guy who gets on base better than most on this team AND has experience hitting lead off makes mention of hitting lead off and baker doesn't consider it.

 

Bizzaro Word I tells ya!!!

 

Is it really obvious or did you just happen to skip over the Dusty is knowledgeable quote? So, which is it?

 

Look, Walker won't hit at the top of the order until Hendry makes a move for a true everyday leftfielder or until Baker switches Ramirez and Burnitz in the order. If you move Walker up, Ramirez will never have an official at-bat the rest of the year. Barrett is no protection for Ramirez. And people must have already forgotten Barrett was pretty bad in the #2 hole last year. I just don't get why some think Barrett can be a successful #2 hitter. He drives me nuts with some of his at-bats.

 

Barrett was not very good in the 2 hole last year, but he only got 76 at bats there. Does that mean he should be relegated to the bottom of the order for the rest of his career? That thinking is very overcautious IMO. Neifi in the 2 hole, right in front of Lee, is a nightmare scenario and anything would be less risky than that. Also, while I don't think much of Hollandsworth, I believe the risk of moving Walker to leadoff and hoping Holla can adequately protect Ramirez until Hendry makes a trade is far less scary than sticking with Patterson/Perez at the top of the order.

[bhogg]

Someone should inform Todd Walker that Corey is only 25 years old and has crap tons of potential :D

 

 

It's obivious that this is Todd's way of saying "Baker is a moron."

 

A guy who couldn't get on base to save his life asks to be leadoff and gets it. A guy who gets on base better than most on this team AND has experience hitting lead off makes mention of hitting lead off and baker doesn't consider it.

 

Bizzaro Word I tells ya!!!

 

Is it really obvious or did you just happen to skip over the Dusty is knowledgeable quote? So, which is it?

 

Look, Walker won't hit at the top of the order until Hendry makes a move for a true everyday leftfielder or until Baker switches Ramirez and Burnitz in the order. If you move Walker up, Ramirez will never have an official at-bat the rest of the year. Barrett is no protection for Ramirez. And people must have already forgotten Barrett was pretty bad in the #2 hole last year. I just don't get why some think Barrett can be a successful #2 hitter. He drives me nuts with some of his at-bats.

 

 

 

Yeah, I read the quote. Walker didn't say this stuff just so he could get his name in the papers. He said it in response to Corey sucking ass in the leadoff spot. Sure, he said Baker is knowledgable, but did he really mean it? I doubt it. Just speculating, but I'd imagine that in Todd's mind, Baker is clueless or he'd have guys that can get on base hitting in the top of the lineup.

[wastra]

That's what I like about Todd.

 

Last year, he specifically said he prefers to hit lower in the order. But this year, apparently, he's seeing where we have a marked deficiency, and is pretty much offering to do it to help the team.

 

And his defense/ability to turn the DP has not been as bad as many people seemed to think it was...in fact, it's been solid.

[USSoccer]

That's what I like about Todd.

 

Last year, he specifically said he prefers to hit lower in the order. But this year, apparently, he's seeing where we have a marked deficiency, and is pretty much offering to do it to help the team.

 

And his defense/ability to turn the DP has not been as bad as many people seemed to think it was...in fact, it's been solid.

 

Who did I get into that argument with? God, that was funny.... :lmao: