Understanding Soriano-Pie Relationship

by SpudV on Jul 28, 2007 6:16 AM CDT

A week or two ago I suggested Pie should be brought back to help Soriano's slump, since Alf seems to hit better when Pie is in town. Support for that at BCB has been growing. An article in the Parade magazine (in some Sunday newspapers) last Sunday featured the baseball "factory" town of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.

You may recognize some of the names of players coming from that town. They live and breathe baseball down there, having supplied 78 players to the majors since the 50's. While some may think Soriano should be OK by having some other Hispanic players on the roster with him, the guys from DR may have a special bond.

"Some of the early San Pedro major leaguers came from the cane fields and started playing with balls made from sugar syrup. Boys still begin playing at the age of 5, improvising balls from wet, tightly rolled socks--which work well, though the ball becomes oblong with use."
Maybe that's why Soriano hops before he catches a flyball, not knowing which way an oblong ball will spin.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Looking over my previous comments

I found the one where I questioned the impact on Soriano of Pie being sent down July 7.
I'm also wondering about the effect of sending Pie back to Iowa will have on Soriano. They seem to be "best buds", and when Pie came back about a month ago Soriano heated up. While Lou has said in the past that he does not want to send Pie back down, with Jacques staying in Chicago he may have no choice.

Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!

by SpudV on Jul 28, 2007 6:18 AM CDT reply actions

If Matt Murton fails...

... not that I want him to, but IF he fails, Pie would be the next logical choice to be recalled.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 28, 2007 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Point is

The point is, Felix Pie as a part-time player has way more to offer than Matt Murton as a part-time player. I'm not much into the LH/RH stuff, especially if you usually roll over balls like Murton does, so that part of the equation is out the window. Clearly, Pie offers much more in terms of OF play and speed and if the kicker is psychologically helping out Soriano, it's a done deal.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Jul 28, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

One sentence:

Bring Pie back. I'm mystified at his aura, but he does something great with Soriano. And I like his childlike enthusiasm. There is such a thing as an X-factor, and right now, Pie seems to have it ... hitting well or not.

--t.

"One of the worst writers on this board."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Jul 28, 2007 7:36 AM CDT reply actions

I realize at this point you have

To give Murton the chance now that you have called him up, but his track record proves that he needs to play everyday to hit consistently. That wont happen here, so isnt this an effort in futility?

IMO- there is no doubt that Pie brings and X factor to the team, the bench and to Soriano.

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Jul 28, 2007 7:43 AM CDT reply actions

Pie

At the least, Pie brings speed on the bases, and a true pure outfielder with a cannon for an arm. I kind of see Pie as a playmaker on the basepaths. I dont see Murton that way.

Hopefully I am wrong, but there was a very different feeling amongst us all when Pie was roaming CF.

"Oh, I get a little tired now and then, but knowing my lifestyle, that's only natural." -- Harry Caray

by Cribbs463 on Jul 28, 2007 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

the question shouldnt be Murton or Pie

it should be Jacque Jones or Pie

and the answer should be Pie

while Jones has been "hot" of late

its been an empty batting average, his slugging is still .385 while he's been HOT

Pie can provide that type of offensive production right now.... with slightly better defense (Jacque's been a good defender out there)

Jacque should be moved someway or another or should be a candidate to be DFA'd

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 28, 2007 10:51 AM CDT reply actions

Alarming Stats

Pie should be called up just for the fact that when he's up Soriano hits like an all-star and when Pie is in the minors Soriano is very average.

Here's Soriano's numbers with and without Pie

With Pie on roster
G: 47
Avg: .333
Obp: .362
Slg: .589
Ops: .951
AB: 207
H: 69
R: 40
RBI: 26
BB: 8
K: 41
2B: 10
3B: 2
Hr: 13
IBB: 3
HBP: 2
SB: 7
CS: 2
SF: 1
E: 0
Without Pie on roster
G: 48
Avg: .251
Obp: .307
Slg: .422
Ops: .729
AB: 199
H: 50
R: 27
RBI: 11
BB: 15
K: 47
2B: 19
3B: 3
HR: 3
IBB: 1
HBP: 1
SB: 6
CS: 2
SF: 1
E: 5

Besides this team is 33-20 with Felix Pie on the roster.

Once they tried to steal my heart, beat it right outta my head But baby they didn't know that I was born dead I am the iceman, fighting for the right to live

by sandbergformanager on Jul 28, 2007 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

It doesn't make logical sense, does it?

I mean, Pie is hitting .216/.272/.345.

Yet, somehow, the team seems to play better, with more energy, when he's here.

Bring him back, even if it's just to sit on the bench.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 28, 2007 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

bring him back!

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Jul 28, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

This sample size -- 48 games --

means nothing. How did Soriano earn his 136 million dollar contract and have a very good major league career without Pie all these years?

Dumb luck?

This is just silly, I'm sorry. If Pie does return to the majors, it should be because he's putting up the numbers to earn the recall, not because -- he's Soriano's -- (alleged) "Lucky Charm."

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 28, 2007 12:07 PM CDT reply actions

okay then, these number suggest he should get

another shot.

2007 @ Iowa

.371/.414/.573

Combine those numbers with the aformentioned intagibles and his defense. He needs to be back here. Maybe Jones will be gone by Tuesday?

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Jul 28, 2007 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, Mr. Wet Blanket...

... (and you know I'm kidding, a little) ...

Sometimes there are things that can't be explained that are true anyway. Does this make logical sense? No, it doesn't. But it seems to happen, and the sample sizes (Pie on team or not) are equal.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 28, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Of course it doesn't make sense

and that this isn't much of a sample size but more that just Pie could it be that Soriano doesn't fit in with anyone else on this team except Pie, perhaps because of their common heritage. There are very few Cubs that are from the Dominican Republic especially ones that are new to the Cubs like Soriano. I don't know what kind of players Soriano played with in New York, Texas, and Washington in terms of Dominican Players that he can relate to so I can't tell you if that is a possible solution to why the numbers are the way they are.

Once they tried to steal my heart, beat it right outta my head But baby they didn't know that I was born dead I am the iceman, fighting for the right to live

by sandbergformanager on Jul 28, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Whatever the intangibles

I agree. Get Pie back. Sell JJ. Do whatever we have to do but we have critical games in August and need his energy and enthusiasm on this team.

Soriano: rub two of those big bats together and you will catch fire!

by LAcarl519 on Jul 28, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

i hope they trade murton

and bring pie up for good. his speed and defense alone make him much more valuable than murton.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Jul 28, 2007 3:37 PM CDT reply actions

No Pie last year

Soriano had a historical year.

It's just a bizarre stat that we're looking too into.

Why did D Lee hit so many home runs two years ago? Maybe Dusty Baker is the only reason he can hit home runs? Should we bring him back?

All kidding asie on DLee...it's really just a odd fact and if Pie can't hit well as a 25th man he should wait until September to be called up.

by ak123 on Jul 28, 2007 3:56 PM CDT reply actions

On Dusty Baker...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

LOL

There's always next year.

by BJ Simpson on Jul 28, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Haha

I was OBVIOUSLY kidding!

by ak123 on Jul 28, 2007 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I want to know what Soriano's

stats @ home w/Pie on the team are?

This has crossed my mind a couple of times. But seriously, it's not like these two were best friends their whole entire life. IMO they became friends in Spring Training because Soriano thought he was taking Pie's job.

Soriano's excuses this year: Weather, Pie, ...?

Remember the last Cub player who needed to have a certain someone around all the time? I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin.

"We have the rabbit's foot now" -Z

by TheRamZamDLEE on Jul 28, 2007 4:11 PM CDT reply actions

Pie MUST come up

He's exciting and can change the course of a game at any time with his:

1.) Bat
2.) Speed
3.) Arm
4.) Defense

He has only been a positive presence on the team when you combine those raw skills with the fact that he works his ass off, and he gets along with the guys in the clubhouse.

He may be unpolished and inconsistent, but he's too valuable and exciting to keep down below. Whether he starts, pinch-hits, pinch-runs, or is a defensive subsitution in a game, he brings excitement, and the possibility of a big play to every inning.

Bring Pie up, like, yesterday, damnit!

Give Z whatever he Please...NOW!

by southerncubbie on Jul 28, 2007 4:38 PM CDT reply actions

I'd prefer Pie up

also, no offense to Murton. I think the stats you show are interesting; I'd say that Pie gives the whole team a lift, not just Soriano. I hope we can have him up as a back-up soon.

Tinker to Evers to Chance.

by Matt Allison on Jul 29, 2007 2:28 AM CDT up reply actions

As I seem to recall...

Pie reached base a number of times due to errors. Those are considered "0-ers" in the stats, but the guy puts pressure on the other team's infield defense. This is part of those intangibles. Get him back by Monday or at least by August 1...please!

Soriano: rub two of those big bats together and you will catch fire!

by LAcarl519 on Jul 28, 2007 5:06 PM CDT reply actions

I missed the Pie callup last night

I was out last night but saw that Soriano hit 2 HR's when I got home. When did Pie get called up? Soriano must be happy that his Best Friend Forever is coming back.

by rlpete on Jul 29, 2007 7:12 AM CDT reply actions