A respectable june (14-13)

The Cubs loss to Milwaukee snapped the 4 game winning streak. The Northsiders finished 1 game above .500 for the month. Coincidently, the Cubs finished April and May 1 game over each month. 3 months, 1 game over each month. My public school math tells me the Northsiders are 3 games over for the year. They stand at 40-37. It's not as good as we would like but not as grim as many of us (including me) predicted.

Highlights from June:

• Derrek Lee continued his hot season. Lee hit .431 with 13 doubles, 7 HR's and 19 RBi's.
• Aramis Ramirez heated up in June. Aramis hit .367 with 7 HR's and 23 RBi's.
• Ryan Dempster went 7 for 7 in save opportunities. He posted a 1.54 ERA in June.
• Mark Prior's return on Sunday was good news for Cub fans. Prior looked like his old self allowing just one hit to the Sox.
• Kerry Wood's return on Wednesday gave Cub fans even more to be excited about. Wood had great stuff and looked to be healthy.
• The sweep in LA
• Taking 3 of 4 from San Diego
• Winning 2 of 3 against the World Champion Red Sox
• Taking 2 of 3 from the White Sox at U.S. Comiscular
• Todd Hollandsworth began to break his season long slump. Hollandsworth hit .351 in June and drove in 15 runs.
• Patterson's defensive play on Tuesday night to save the game.
• Despite an ERA over 5. Greg Maddux won 4 games in the month and won big games against the Red Sox and White Sox.

The Lowlights

• Why did Dusty Baker ever put Korey Patterson back in the leadoff spot?
• Patterson hit .167 in June, his season average stands at .237. His OBP for the month was .213. Patterson only scored 9 runs and drove in 5. During the month Korey struckout 35 times and took 6 base on balls. The guy needs some time on the bench.
• Joe Borowski was unable to return to his 2002 and 2003 form. The Cubs designated Joe for assignment when Kerry Wood returned
• Todd Wellemeyer pitched himself back to Iowa. Todd's ERA was 10.24 for the month in 9.2 IP. He walked 8 hitters in those innings .
• Getting swept in New York by a struggling Yankee team.
• Losing 2 of 3 to both Toronto and Florida at home.
• Neifi Perez really cooled off in June. Neifi hit .230 for the month.
• Jason Dubois looks like a rookie. In just 17 games Dubois hit .227 striking out 16 times and only taking two walks.
• Cliff Bartosh we hardly knew ya.

The Cubs season stands at a crossroads. They already lookup and see the Cardinals running away with the NL Central. The Cubs now have to find a way to stay in the NL Wild Card race. If they keep dancing around the .500 mark it will not be enough. Jim Hendry has one month to make the moves that will put the Cubs in contention. I'd suggest he start by doing something with the centerfielder.