Rare show of patience at plate could be virtue for Cubs

MESA, Ariz. -- Now for something completely different.

Cubs fans familiar with watching a free-swinging team over the last few years might be shocked to see Kosuke Fukudome at the plate.

During "live" batting practice Wednesday, Fukudome went up with the idea of "patience first." He took 4 pitches from lefty Les Walrond. Against lefty Carmen Pignatiello, Fukudome grounded a ball toward shortstop as the only swing among the 5 pitches he saw.

He finished against hard-throwing prospect Jose Ceda, a righty. Fukudome fouled the first pitch before taking 3 straight pitches out of the strike zone.

"I was ready to swing at a strike," Fukudome said through his translator. "I didn't see too many of them. That's why I just watched."