Rookie theme rings true, but Cubs still lose
Wednesday at Wrigley Field began with a vigil and ended with another set of goodbyes.
In between, the Cubs played a game, using 10 rookies, including a club-record six rookie pitchers as they fell 5-1 to the San Diego Padres.
After the game, the Cubs announced they had traded first baseman Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves for three pitching prospects.
That continued a sell-off of players that has included Lee, pitcher Ted Lilly and middle infielders Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot.
At least manager Lou Piniella maintained a sense of humor when it was pointed out to him all the rookies he used, including starting pitcher Casey Coleman, who took the loss.
"That's what we have," Piniella said with a laugh. "We used what we had - How about that? If I had known that, I would have found one more (rookie) and we would have put him in there."
The day began with rumors swirling of a possible Lee deal. Piniella said he had no early word for the media, but he came out wearing his 1977 World Series ring he earned with the New York Yankees.
The symbolism was hard to miss. Piniella won't get a World Series ring with the Cubs. What he has now is a team made up of 40 percent rookies and one that's on pace to lose 95 games.
"And we'll probably get a few more kids up here in September," Piniella said. "And truthfully, I look forward to it."
The Padres were in control most of the game, scoring twice in the first inning and really never looking back.
Piniella used Coleman and relievers James Russell, Justin Berg, Thomas Diamond, Andrew Cashner and Marcos Mateo.
Not only did the six rookies represent a Cubs record, it was the first time any team has done so before September, the Cubs said, citing the Elias Sports Bureau.
After the game, the Cubs talked of carrying on without Lee, a two-time all-star and three-time Gold Glove winner (twice with the Cubs).
"Really solid citizen, and a really good ballplayer," Piniella said. "Atlanta's getting a class act. He's done very well for this organization the time he's been here, and we want to wish him nothing but the best over there."
Pitcher Ryan Dempster has played with Lee in Florida and Chicago.
"The way I look at it is if I brought my son to the ballpark and I wanted him to look out onto the field and watch a guy play, I'd tell him to pay attention to Derrek Lee," Dempster said. "I've been lucky to be his teammate for 111/2 years. He does everything you can ask for. He's prepared every day. He's a tremendous leader. Aside from what he does on the field, he's a better human being."
It will be up to Dempster and other veterans to carry on and lead a bunch of rookies until the Oct. 3 season finale.
"We don't have any quitters on this team, so we don't have to worry about that," said outfielder Marlon Byrd. "We're losing a voice. We're losing one of the best first basemen in the game at the same time. That's the business. We have to keep playing. Everybody's going to have to step up, all the veterans."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p>
<p class="News">Padres 5, Cubs 1</p>
<p class="News"><b>Learning experience:</b> Casey Coleman made his first major-league start for the Cubs. He took the loss, working 41/3 innings and giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while walking thee and striking out one. "It's a good learning experience, the first time out as a starter," he said. "I just got to do a better job of throwing strikes and getting ahead."</p>
<p class="News"><b>The winner: </b>Former White Sox lefty Clayton Richard won and improved to 11-5. He worked 62/3 innings, giving up 7 hits and 1 run. </p>
<p class="News"><b>Doubling up:</b> The Cubs got their only run on back-to-back doubles by Alfonso Soriano and Jeff Baker in the second.</p>
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<li><a href="/story/?id=401900">Lee: Cubs still battling their own history<span class="date"> [8/18/10]</span></a></li>
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