KingFish
02-23-2002, 02:55 AM
If Baylor wants Delino DeShields to lead off, DeShields will be more than happy to do it. It would mean DeShields is the starter at second base.
"You got to play to stay," DeShields said.
"With Delino, he works the count, he has a lot of 3-2 counts so he's not afraid to hit with two strikes," Baylor said. "With (Bobby) Hill, he's inexperienced at that (leadoff) spot as far as taking pitches. That's what we're trying to develop with some of our younger guys, is take pitches and work the count. That's the sign of a good leadoff guy.
"(The leadoff guy) is always giving good information to the guys on the bench, especially the No. 2 hitter, the No. 3 hitter. Guys get a chance to see what's happening if you have a good leadoff guy."
DeShields knows his role.
"The leadoff guy is supposed to set the tone," he said.
DeShields has had to make some adjustments in the clubhouse. He misses Eric Young, Ricky Gutierrez, Ron Coomer, Michael Tucker, Matt Stairs and Rondell White, who have all left the Cubs.
"You got to play to stay," DeShields said.
"With Delino, he works the count, he has a lot of 3-2 counts so he's not afraid to hit with two strikes," Baylor said. "With (Bobby) Hill, he's inexperienced at that (leadoff) spot as far as taking pitches. That's what we're trying to develop with some of our younger guys, is take pitches and work the count. That's the sign of a good leadoff guy.
"(The leadoff guy) is always giving good information to the guys on the bench, especially the No. 2 hitter, the No. 3 hitter. Guys get a chance to see what's happening if you have a good leadoff guy."
DeShields knows his role.
"The leadoff guy is supposed to set the tone," he said.
DeShields has had to make some adjustments in the clubhouse. He misses Eric Young, Ricky Gutierrez, Ron Coomer, Michael Tucker, Matt Stairs and Rondell White, who have all left the Cubs.