Corey's first inning

This site complain's alot about the lack of patience shown by the Cub cf. That is justified. Still you have to give credit when credit is due. In the first inning tonite Corey showed the tools that the Cubs saw when they selected him with their first round pick (3rd overall) in 1998.

Corey hit second in Dusty's lineup tonite. In the top of the first he hit a solo HR to right center field. But the best of Corey would come in the bottom of the inning. Corey flashed some big time leather. Griffey sent Corey all the way to the wall in CF where Patterson made a fine catch. After a nice running catch by DuBois, Patterson did a great Tori Hunter impersonation! Joe Randa hit a ball to right center. Patterson ran back and made a great leaping catch, stealing extra bases-if not a homerun from Randa. Corey got a standing ovation leaving the field.


Corey Patterson saves a run or two as he makes a great leaping grab in the first inning on a drive by Joe Randa.

The talent that C-Pat showed in that inning was brilliant. It is that talent that has Jim Hendry and many Cub fans telling Patterson critics(like myself) to be patient. I hope Hendry and many of you Corey-backers are right.

Speed kills. On Tuesday nite Corey's speed caused trouble for the Reds defense. Ramirez' bases loaded, broken bat, single scored Prior and Hairston. On the play Corey hustled from first to third. Griffey came up with the ball and tried to throw out Patterson at third. He threw the ball past Randa into the dugout. Patterson scored and Aramis was awarded another base. On Sunday in Pittsburgh Corey's speed caused an error on a throw to first on a bunt attempt. Nomar drove Patterson in with a sac fly and the Cubs had manufactured the tying run. Patterson's speed is a weapon the Cubs need to use.


Patterson runs down another ball hit by Randa in the 8th.


Still the whole key to Patterson's career is gonna be his command of the strike zone. He still has struck out 13 times in 14 games. The Walkathon has not moved since the Sunday game against Milwaukee.

Will Patterson be this generation's Shawon Dunston or will he develop into the 5-tool talent Hendry and the Corey-backers expect. Hopefully we'll start to see more of the brilliance Patterson showed in the first inning in the coming days, weeks, months and years.