"Guess hitting hack", "punk with an attitude problem", "show-off" These are just some of the words use to describe All-Star left fielder Alfonso Soriano in the 2+ seasons he's been with the Cubs.

How about a new term?

Leader

''Somebody's got to step up and play better. I know we're going to miss him, but we got to start playing better and win as many games as we can until he comes back. And survive.''

 

Soriano on the loss of Aramis Ramirez

''My first at-bats, I struck out, but I tried to have my rhythm and mechanics [later] and make a good swing,'' he said.

Of the slider he dug low to hit, he said, ''It was a very good pitch. ... It's very important to come back and win the game.''

Just a sample of what Soriano has said in the early part of the season.  And honestly, from where a sit, I like what i hear.

Soriano is the leader this team needs, the player that has the ability, the talent and lord knows the contract that makes him the obvious choice for the leader of this club. Especially since D. Lee and Aramis basically keep to themselves, Zambrano is a bit too passionate, and Milton Bradley is.... Well Milton Bradley.

Say what you want about Sori's play in the OF or him needing to bat leadoff to succeed. But theres no denying that this year Soriano has shown on more then one occasion, to be this teams legitimate clubhouse leader.

For what its worth as well. Last Night I was at Miller Park (another post about that forthcoming) But when Aramis went down, Soriano high tailed it from Very deep LF (since Braun was up at the time) to check on Aramis, granted Theriot and Fonte where also there, but too me from where I sit, thats a leader thats a guy who cares about the team.

Couple this with the earlier comments Sori's made about the teams lack of drive early in the season is proof positive to me anyway that Soriano is the Cubs Leader/