Dempster May Get Shot As Closer; & Other Cubs Bits
Several interesting items in the Chicago Tribune today (Paul Sullivan, “Dempster getting primed to be closer,” 7/22/2004):
The Cubs are putting Ryan Dempster in the bullpen at Iowa with the thought that he may be called up in September to be the closer. If Dempster could prove effective, this would help, because it would allow LaTroy Hawkins to be placed back in the often more crucial setup role.
Dusty Baker left Monday night’s game against St. Louis for being ejected. Except he was not ejected.
“Triple-A Iowa shortstop Ricky Gutierrez was traded to Boston for a player to be named.” Whew. He was a little too close to Chicago.
“Third base coach Wendell Kim appears safe for the rest of the year, but there is speculation he could have trouble keeping his job in 2005.” That’s what they said last year.
“Jon Leicester was called up Wednesday while Francis Beltran was demoted to Iowa.” Beltran was too up-and-down to be pitching in crucial situaitons. Hopefully Leicester will maintain the consistency he showed before being sent down when Kerry Wood returned.