rockin500
02-18-2003, 04:13 PM
MESA, Ariz. -- Dusty Baker figures the kids have to play sometime. It might as well be now.
The Cubs' 2003 lineup could include youngsters Corey Patterson, Bobby Hill and Hee Seop Choi. The Cubs manager isn't too concerned about the influx of youth.
"You've got to work them in there someday," Baker said Sunday. "Everybody wants youth and change but they want championships, too. We'll be contenders, no matter what. I didn't come here with the expectation to do it all in one year. Sometimes you just have to take your chances on young players."
If Choi struggles, the Cubs have a backup in place with the addition of Eric Karros. Who will get more playing time?
"I'll make that call from what I know about Karros in the past and what I know about Choi in the present," Baker said.
He can give both plenty of at-bats this spring. During the season, it's a different story. That's when who's on first will become an interesting situation.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030216&content_id=200847&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp
The Cubs' 2003 lineup could include youngsters Corey Patterson, Bobby Hill and Hee Seop Choi. The Cubs manager isn't too concerned about the influx of youth.
"You've got to work them in there someday," Baker said Sunday. "Everybody wants youth and change but they want championships, too. We'll be contenders, no matter what. I didn't come here with the expectation to do it all in one year. Sometimes you just have to take your chances on young players."
If Choi struggles, the Cubs have a backup in place with the addition of Eric Karros. Who will get more playing time?
"I'll make that call from what I know about Karros in the past and what I know about Choi in the present," Baker said.
He can give both plenty of at-bats this spring. During the season, it's a different story. That's when who's on first will become an interesting situation.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030216&content_id=200847&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp