And the first person to tell you that would be Mark Grace. In fact, he said as much when he was in the booth with Len and Bob. Grace was a good player, but Lee is just much, much better.

His 2005 season equals about 4 Mark Grace’s BEST seasons with the Cubs.

As pointed out, Lee is a defender with more range. I think Lee can backhand the ball with the best of them. Grace was a great glove guy, too. He scooped a ton of balls out of the dirt. I believe I’ll take the guy with more range over the guy who has only a slightly better ability to scoop balls out of the dirt.

FWIW, the best defensive 1B I can remember is Keith Hernandez, Mark Grace’s idol. Grace spent a lot of his early years in Germantown, TN, before moving to San Diego. Gracie was a Cardinals fan. When Hernandez went to the Mets, Keith changed his uniform number from his STL #37 to NYM #17. Casey Stengel had #37 retired by the Mets. That’s why Grace wore #17.

it absolutely has to be Banks. There is no discussion.

on the defensive side. Grace sold a lot of outs to the umpire, walking off before the call is made and he dealt with Shawon Dunston throwing the ball all over the place. I loved Grace, and I would probably take him over DLee because Grace made contact almost everytime. The most hits of the 90’s and hit doubles everytime he exhaled, he was sick. BUT that being said, DLEE is a class act and a perennial all-star and gold glove contender and definatley has more power than grace.. Flip a coin and Ill be happy

... is the better overall, but I believe Grace is better in a few categories. I don’t know if D-Lee will ever put up a season again as he did a few years ago. I’m especially worried about his batting average…. so in the end, I think Grace will look to be both a better contact and average hitter. He might end up being a better clutch, because Grace did get a lot of big hits in needed situations. D-Lee does too, but Grace in the 89 playoffs was a monster. Fielding wise, I think either team would be happy to have either one at 1st. I think D-Lee was lucky to be surrounded with a better fielding infield than Grace. Sure, Grace had Sandberg over at 2nd…but he also had Dunston at SS and his 101 MPH fastballs going all over the place. 3rd base was always a who’se who….

But anyway, Lee was a much bigger offensive force, no doubt about it. But Grace was better in average and maybe clutch, big game situations. One last point is that Grace thrived so much in big games, I think he motivated his team much more…. still, I doubt want to sound like I am taking anything away from Lee. I just think most people will automatically lead to him being better without really thinking much about it.

Anyway, they both ROCK and i’m glad they both have been a part of the Cubs!

.............I’d say Lee gets the nod. His range is superior and his size provides a big target for the balance of the infield.

Grace also had the pleasure of taking many throws from Sandberg, arguably the best throwing 2B in history. Had to make his life easier. Save part timers like Izturis and Neif!, there have been no Gold Glovers consistently manning the Cubs’ infiled since Lee’s arrival in Chicago.

I think Grace was much more consistant at the plate than DLee is. I agree lee has tons more power but that was never Graces fortay. He was the guy you put up there when you need to make contact. Whether to make a productive out or to get a ralley started. DLee needs to do something about his ground outs and strike outs. Last nite he looked horrible in all his at bats. He didnt get close to anything and when he did he rolled over on it and hit a weak ground ball. He talked about always being a slow starter and now he started fast but has also went to he!! in a hand basket real fast. Rami also needs to get warm. Hopefully when they get back to Chicago and the summer heat arrives they will all join in the fun and bust out a nice long win streak and put those annoying cards behinde us and go on to october baseball.

But D-Lee is better. His height helps him grab some balls that Grace wouldn’t have gotten to, and he has really soft hands.

Offensively, Lee has more power. Grace hit for a higher average. They’re different sorts of hitters.

Has there been any comments by Dlee, the Cubs, or Lou about why Lee has been having a hard time as late? I wonder, as i’m sure many people assume, that maybe his wrist is acting up? But I don’t know. It probably is something else entirely. Does anybody have any idea?

I don’t know what it is but Derrek Lee looks very tired out there. If I didn’t know any better I could swear that was Fred McGriff I was watching. If it were up to me then Derrek would get two or three days off to rejuvenate. Hopefully rejuvenate that is.