How Good is Fukudome?

13 G, 24 H, 51 AB, .417 AVG, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 12 R, 1.716 OPS

Not that good. Maybe this good though:

115 G, 102 H, 373 AB, .273 AVG, 16 HR, 47 RBI, 50 R, .806 OPS

Above are two lines from the same batter in the same season. Chris Shelton of the Detroit Tigers (at the time) hit a whopping 9 HRs in his first 13 games in 2006, only the 4th ever to do that, and first in the AL. However, at the end of the season, he only hit 7 more HRs in 102 more games, and dropped his average 144 points.

OK, so Fukudome really isn't as bad as Shelton, but he isn't the league MVP just because he hit one home run in one game. Shelton is a great reason why you should never judge a book by its cover.

I watched the game yesterday and I was pissed when he hit that homer. And I saw the crowd go berserk, which they had every right to do. However, Fukudome gave the crowd a curtain call. For what? HE DIDN'T WIN THEM THE GAME. Was it a welcome to the Cubs curtain call? I thought it was unnecessary by all means. It's ONE game, he's not the Cubs savior. At least not yet. So I want to let all Cubs fans know something right now. It's very important and I think they really need to know:

Watch out! Fukudome is good. He's great and you are very lucky to have him on your team. I would not be surprised to see him start in the All-Star game (over Corey Hart, of course). However, if there is one thing you can never do, it is take a player and lift him onto your shoulders and give him All-Star treatment until he absolutely deserves it. Do you think the Tigers fans thought Shelton was the answer to their prayers? You bet! But he sucked; absolutely sucked in 2006. And I'm not saying Fukudome will fall that low, but it is a terrible idea to judge somebody by how they play in one game. I have talked to MORE than one Cubs fan, and they all seem to disregard the option of holding off on the Fukudome obsession. I don't know how many Brewers fans were high on Bill Hall last year after his 35 HR season, even Ned Yost batted him cleanup to start the season. He ended up in the 8-hole and batted .254 with 14 HRs. The Cubs dished out a ton of cash for this guy so honestly I really hope he works for you(, just not when you play the Brewers!)

Fukudome is going to be great this season, but he won't put up a 3-run home run in the ninth when you are down 3 probably ever again. And if he does, let me know, I probably won't care though. Remember, Gagne threw 7 straight balls, then two BP fastballs anybody could have jacked. Once pitchers start facing this guy, they will learn how to pitch to him and he won't go 3-3 every game.

Bottom line: Cubs fans, don't get ahead of yourselves. It's always great to be able to expect a player to perform well. But what if he doesn't? I'm not saying he won't. I'm just saying it COULD happen. Something to think about and to look back on once he doesn't live up to your .300, 30, 100, 100 expectations. Which he by all means could...


On another note, I heard the Sara Bareilles' Love Song song today...THREE FREAKING TIMES in about 2 hours. Can that song be played any more? Doesn't she have any other stuff that sounds good. I feel bad for her because she seems like a great singer but this one song will get labeled as all she is and she might not make it further than this. Another one-hit wonder victim.

But who cares about that when Suppan takes on Lilly tomorrow at 1:20 CT. This should be an interesting matchup considering Suppan will NEVER return to 2006 form and Lilly is all 2007 plus more and is in no way going to have an off year, don't even think about it. Or at least all the "experts" say that. Whatever, I don't listen to them. I guess they say the Nationals are supposed to lose a game this season. HOGWASH!!

Oh, and Runs Accounted For is up and running. Full speed ahead. Check it out!!!