Cubs Survive 2 Months Without Aramis Ramirez Without Losing a Game in the Standings
Aramis Ramirez has returned to save the Cubs from mediocrity (photo by leath)
Aramis Ramirez Returns from the Disabled List
After two long months, Aramis Ramirez has returned to save the Chicago Cubs offense and playoff hopes. Lou Pinella is trying to play down expecations, but we know: Aramis Ramirez is here to save the day.
Aramis Ramirez has been a top hitter and run producer ever since he joined the Chicago Cubs in late 2003. He has quietly been the Cubs top offensive threat and hitter with runners in scoring position for years. He doesn’t grab the headlines the way other Cubs do but he has consistently been one of the top third basemen in baseball.
When Ramirez went down with that injury, I let out a groan. I knew this one would hurt. Maybe not in the same way as the separated shoulder he suffered on that diving catch attempt, but it would hurt this team. Ouch.
But you know what? It wasn’t so bad. The Cubs survived. I thought to myself, “if the Cubs can just stay within 4 games until Ramirez comes back, that would be great”.
Well they did it. When Aramis Ramirez was injured on May 9th, the Cubs were 2 1/2 games out of first place. When he returned on July 6th, the Cubs were 2 1/2 games back out of first.
Mission Accomplished.
As Lou Pinella said: “The important thing is we’re 2½ games out of first. Forget our record. We could be 10 games over .500 or 10 games under. I said all along I felt we’d make a run in the second half, and I still feel that way“. - Lou Pinella
Oh how the Cubs offense has missed you Aramis. We now just got our big bat in the middle of the lineup. Welcome back!
Now let’s make that run.
This is the Year!
——
PS - Big Thanks to Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson from the Kane County Cougars. Their appearance in Geneva, IL on July 3, 2009 with the Peoria Chiefs vs the Cougars set a new Midwest League record with an attendance of 14,872!
Aramis Ramirez Jersey
Related Stories:
The gang’s all here: Aramis Ramirez returns to Cubs’ lineup - Chicago Tribune
Cubs survive minus Aramis - Chicago Sun Times
Ramirez, Johnson activations send Fuld to minors - Chicago Sun Times
Kane County Cougars break attendance record over holiday - Examiner.com
It’s no doubt that this is a different team without Ramirez in the lineup. Everyone seemed to start hitting a little better recently and I think they will really start to hit now as they will be a little more relaxed now that Aramis is back.
You’re definitely right, Ramirez was a guy who consistently drove in runs - the Cubs biggest problem by far this season. The bats seemed to have picked up a little bit, I hope the rest of the guys won’t put as much pressure on themselves now. Now if we can just get Soriano back in the lineup. He’s there already, but he might as well not have been with the slump he’s been in.
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