There's never been a "Go-Go" Cubs team. The Cubs have been better known for home runs than speed. But did you see who ranks among the National League leaders in stolen bases?
As of Thursday, the Cubs were tied for second with 13 steals, one behind leader Los Angeles. The St. Louis Cardinals, whom the Cubs face this weekend at the new Busch Stadium, also have swiped 13 this season.
Why is this so un-Cub like?
In the 44 years since Major League Baseball expanded to a 162-game schedule, a Cub has stolen 20 or more bases in a season 44 times. In each of the last eight seasons, the Cubs' season leader did not reach 20 steals.
It gets even slower. Since the National League expanded to 16 teams in 1998, the Cubs have finished 10th or worst in the league every year, including 16th in 1999 and '02.
The last time the Cubs finished in the top half of the league in stolen bases was 1990, when they were fifth.
They've finished in the top 25 percent in the National League in stolen bases once since 1962, and that was in '85, when the Cubs ranked second. The next-best finish was fourth in the 12-team league in 1984. They've finished last 10 times since '62.
Give Juan Pierre credit for the team's quick footwork. The Cubs center fielder has seven steals so far, second in the NL to Cincinnati's Ryan Freel (eight). Derrek Lee is third with five.
With Lee injuring his right wrist on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the ability to do the little things, like steal a base, will have even more importance for the Cubs.
Pierre thinks he's off to a slow start. Last season, he only had two stolen bases in April, but that was because he was slowed during Spring Training with a leg injury. He has averaged six steals in the first month since 2001, including a high of 10 in 2003.
"I missed all of Spring Training last year, so the first month was like Spring Training for me," Pierre said. "In years past, I've had eight or 10. I can't really explain it. If I got on base more, I could steal more. You can't steal first.
"We could talk about hitting better than stolen bases right now," he said.
OK, let's shift gears for a second and talk about hitting. Pierre is batting .271.
"I'm not happy with it," said the center fielder, who has picked up the pace and is 8-for-25 with five steals on the current road trip. "I'm confident it'll come around. I'll just continue to do what I'll do, and I think I'll be all right. I'm not by any means happy with what I'm doing at the plate."
He'll get it right.
"He's the hardest working guy I've ever been around," Cubs hitting coach Gene Clines said. "He does it religiously every day. He has a routine that he goes through and does it every day, home and on the road. It's amazing."
And Clines has been around a lot of hitters in what is now his 20th season on a Major League staff.
Night games begin at 7 p.m., but Clines is usually at the ballpark by noon. The two should share a cab. Pierre arrives a half-hour later. He has a set routine.
"I hit, then I stretch or do whatever," Pierre said, preferring not to reveal too many specifics. "Some days I'll bunt and get ready for the game. I don't do too much more than the rest of these guys. Guys just get it done at different times, that's about it. They've got three or four guys who beat me to the park this year."
In Spring Training, Clines and Pierre would meet at the batting cage at the same time every day. With day games at home, night games on the road, it's been tough to set a schedule.
"We'll coordinate and in a couple weeks, we'll have everything down pat," Pierre said.
Told of Pierre's frustrations, Clines smiled.
"You just keep giving him positive reinforcement," Clines said. "It's going to come around. You don't forget to hit overnight. Just keep a relaxed mode and keep the confidence up and knowing you're going to make us go. It's just a matter of time."
When Pierre goes, it makes a difference. His speed has forced teams to hurry throws, resulting in two errors so far. He has three three-hit games out of 14, and his on-base percentage keeps increasing.
And when he gets on base, he can run.
The last Cub to lead the league in stolen bases was Stan Hack, who swiped 17 in 1939. Times were different then. You have to go back to 1990 to find a Cubs team that averaged close to a stolen base a game (151 in 162 games).
Pierre stole 57 bases last year. The Cubs, as a team, totaled 65. The last time the Cubs stole 100 in a season was in 1997 with 116. Every National League team has had at least one 100-stolen base season since then, led by the Phillies (six times), Marlins (five times), Reds (five) and Astros (five). The Cubs and Diamondbacks are the only National League teams to have done it once since '97.
Fans concerned about Pierre can relax.
"Just tell 'em to be patient," Pierre said. "It'll come around."
