To: Louis Piniella, Manager, Chicago National League Baseball Club, Inc,

Subject: the offense

Dear Mr. Piniella,

I am a long time Cubs fan who has faithfully followed this teams fortunes for 40 years(except 1995 and part of 96, thanks to the strike). I have seen some good baseball(the 69 era team, late 70s, 1984, 1989, 1998, 2003, 2007-9) and I have seen some atrocious baseball(1974, 1981, 1991, 1997, 2006) so I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to win. I have sat by and deferred to your judgement because I have always respected you as a player and a manager, but I cant sit idly by while this team continues to struggle. Like many Cubs fans, I am very concerned about what is happening at the top of the batting order. Yes, I am aware that the Cubs won yesterday and that Alfonso Soriano had 2 hits(including the game winner). But that doesn’t mean anything. Every time the Cubs win a close game coming from behind we think the slump is over, but its business as usual the next day. So I take this latest victory with a grain of salt. And just because Soriano had 2 hits doesn’t mean hes going to go on one of his patented hot streaks. Chances are he will probably return to his swinging from heels approach tomorrow. I personally feel that a lead-off hitter with an OBP below .300 is unacceptable. Now I know OBP is like the sexy new statistic everyone uses to judge every player in the ML(which is impractical because it doesn’t work for everyone), but a lead-off mans main job is to find a way to get on base. Which means someone headed for a 200 SO season is not going to work in the lead-off spot. And, yes, I know changing one spot isn’t going to cure all this teams ills, at least having someone setting a good tone will rub off on the others. And this nonsense about Soriano being in the lead-off because hes more comfortable, that’s not going to work anymore, nor is the argument that there is no one better. Theriot has done it before and given a chance could really be good. Reed Johnson might work there, Fontenot, even Derrek Lee if you didn’t need him to hit 3^rd, heck I think Fukidome would be a better option than Soriano at this point. 

Believe me, sir, I wouldn’t go to this trouble if I didn’t love the Cubs so much. It kills me whenever I see a piece that just doesn’t fit. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley Field in my lifetime. Please, I hope you take this matter in advisement and I wish you the best as the season heads towards the half way point. I really want to see you continue here as manager. Thank you,

All my best, Michael Hanns