I've wondered about that myself and I'm not sure if that statement is true. Cubs overall: .253/.319/.392 (13th BA, 13th OBP, 13th SLG, 13 OPS, 14th runs scored) Cubs without Lee and Ramirez at all: .263/.326/.404 (4th BA, 10th OBP, tied 8th SLG, 10th OPS) If you take Lee and Ramirez's 3 year averages and apply them to this year (giving them only the number of at-bats they've had this year): Cubs with regular Lee and Ramirez .271/.336/.426 (2nd BA, 4th OBP, 3rd SLG, 3rd OPS) Somebody can check my calculations, but I'm pretty sure they're close. Lee and Ramirez are the difference between this team being really good and really bad this year. i'd rather live in ignorance, dammit