In light of Big Z' minor injury, how BIG is Soto's leadership

by Basman on Jun 21, 2008 3:42 PM CDT

Now, that we know Zambrano's injury is minor, we can all exhale a sigh of relief. Yeah, he is going on the DL for a short stint but it could have been much worse.

In light of that, I was thinking about how big Soto's leadership has been. If it were not for him spotting that there was something wrong with Big Z and having the guts to motion to the bench, we might be talking about a season ending injury. That took some guts (I know it was pointed out before but I'll say it again) and he may have saved the season for our ace. Anyone else think that his leadership and presence behind the plate has exceeded ALL expectations ....??

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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It's especially great from a rookie

When I’m first time at ANYTHING, I’m afraid to make any move, and Geo did it at an even bigger stage. It’s good to see.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 21, 2008 4:20 PM CDT reply actions

Coincidentally

the current issue of the Chicago Reader has a cover story on Geo-it’s all about how, in a very short time, he’s become a team leader and how valuable he is to the Cubs in ways beyond his obvious skills defensively and offensively.
He’s one of the best reasons to be optimistic about this team’s future.

by bluekoolaide on Jun 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Here's the Reader story

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Jun 21, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Soto is nothing short of remarkable

on a team filled with remarkable players. What I find most exciting about him is exactly the point you make… his preternatural leadership skills. What a man!

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jun 21, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

He just a stud

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 21, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by sue369 on Jun 22, 2008 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

shocked by Sues comment giggle

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 22, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Oops, try again

http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/soto/

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Jun 21, 2008 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

Great read..

thanks for the link.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jun 21, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for that.

Makes me appreciate Geo the player and Geo a man more than ever.

by sue369 on Jun 22, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Signing Fukudome and Establishing Soto

as the #1 catcher were probably two of the smartest things the Cubs did in the offseason. Both players seem to be rubbing off on the rest of the team.

by daeviant on Jun 21, 2008 9:36 PM CDT reply actions

Its big that he motioned for O'neal

but the fact that he’s good enough to notice the little hiccup in Z’s delivery to know that O’neal needs to be called over was hugest to me.

And I get a little misty now when I watch Gallagher and Soto as our battery. I love home grown Cubs still playing together (and playing well). Gotta love Soto.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jun 21, 2008 10:00 PM CDT reply actions

Soto, Gallagher, Theriot, Fontenot, Zambrano, Wood all homegrown. Fukudome is homegrown

Ramirez and Lee gotten for prospects out of our system.

Dempster not homegrown of course but someone Hendry took a shot on a few years ago and it has paid off in droves.

Go Cubs

by puckishcubsfan on Jun 22, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Fukudome isn't "homegrown".

He was signed as a free agent out of Japan. He never played in the Cubs’ farm system.

Fontenot isn’t, either. He was acquired as part of the Sosa trade.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

i think its hilarious

that Soto now is being lauded for his great leadership, but last year we couldn’t put a rookie in down the stretch because we questioned how he’d handle the staff and you don’t put rookie catchers in such spots, etc, etc

guess this just goes to show that you shouldn’t come up with ridiculous mantras that can’t be tested… like the one that rookie catchers can’t “handle” big time situations down the stretch because they don’t have veteran presence or leadership skills or whatever…

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jun 21, 2008 11:00 PM CDT reply actions

He was the starting catcher in the postseason.

I think they realized he could handle the situation pretty freaking quick or else he wouldn’t have been catching every game in the NLDS. He also delivered, seeing as how he was the only Cub with a HR in the Diamondback series.

by bikemonkey on Jun 22, 2008 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I will admit I was hesitant about Soto's ability to pick it up

after the demise of the Barrett Era, but that last two months of the season was pretty edgy all the way through. Soto was indeed a hoss then .. and this spring and early summer, he is a FEENOM.

Give me the Blue Koolaid so I can chug a while . .

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Jun 22, 2008 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the answer here is...

... that Lou didn’t know Soto well enough to put him in that position, and I think you can understand that from a veteran manager.

Clearly, Soto has proven his worth quickly.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2008 4:18 AM CDT up reply actions

geo

lou knows talent. that,s why geo went to the postseason.what amazes me is geo leading the voting in the all star game.that shows you that baseball fans everywhere are picking up on this guy.geo should be very proud

by NOMAR on Jun 22, 2008 7:58 AM CDT reply actions

The best thing

What I really think is one of the best parts of this is we’ve found a young stud at a position that

1. Is very scarce right now.

2. Is very hard to find one if that’s what you need in the offseason or in July.

3. The one position on the field hardest to take someone playing another position and make him into one.

Go Cubs

by puckishcubsfan on Jun 22, 2008 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think it can be just coincidence

that the pitching staff is doing so well this year. Geo is a natural. With a savvy backstop like Hank White as Obi-Wan to his Luke, I cannot imagine a player out there I would trade this kid for.

"Give 'im the heater!" -Lou Brown

by Goodie1969 on Jun 22, 2008 2:18 PM CDT reply actions