Derrek Lee News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 16

Chicago Tribune

"Before the Hurricane Ike hiatus began on Friday, manager Lou Piniella said Derrek Lee would probably benefit from the layoff more than any other Cubs player. Piniella's prognostication appears to be on the mark, as Lee hit his first home run since Aug. 22 on Monday and drove in four runs in the series. "The reason I said that is he's probably played more than anybody else we have," Piniella said. "And it looks like it has [helped]. He drove the ball to left-center today [on the sixth-inning homer] and drove the ball to right-center [on Sunday's second-inning double]. "We need Derrek to hit to win, period. No undue pressure, but boy, when the middle part of our lineup hits, and Derrek ..."

Rest may be best for Lee

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September 13

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Cubs don't like the prospects of what this weekend's postponements will do to their pitching plans the final two weeks of the season, but at least a few hitters look like they could use a hurricane-force blow right about now. And struggling No. 3 hitter Derrek Lee is the poster boy for the sickly look of the lineup this month. The Cubs have gone close to two weeks mired in a singles-hitting, rally-bleeding slump, and none more than Lee -- who has just three extra-base hits and five RBI in his last 14 games. ''Oh, gosh, he's been struggling. He really has,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''He's probably trying to do too much. He's probably pressing a little bit. And he's had opportunities. ..."

Lee out for a day but says he's OK

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August 25

Chicago Sun-Times

"Despite being held out of the lineup Sunday because of back spasms near his left shoulder, Derrek Lee insists his health is not a concern. ''I'm fine,'' Lee said before the Cubs' 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. ''Today is more a precautionary day. I just got some spasms [Saturday], and that's all it is. I'm fine. It's no big deal.'' He is expected back in the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. However, Lee did admit that the spasms are related to the neck and shoulder spasms that bothered him through much of last season. ''Every once in a while I get a spasm in there, and [Saturday] I took a very awkward swing and it gave me a little scare,'' he said. ''I guess it's something that ..."

Rare day off for Lee draws extra attention

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August 25

Chicago Tribune

"Derrek Lee was surrounded by a small army of reporters in the dugout before Sunday's game, causing him to do a double take. Lee was out of the lineup with upper-back spasms, and Cubs manager Lou Piniella was unavailable to address the situation, leaving the first baseman to explain the injury himself. "Are you alive?" Lee was facetiously asked. "I'm going to make it," he said with a laugh. "Today is just a precautionary day [off]. It comes from the bulging disc I had last year, and I had some spasms [Saturday]. I'm feeling pretty good. It's no big deal." Of course, it's always a big deal when Lee is taking a day off, because he refuses to come out of the lineup for almost any reason. He ..."

As long as Cubs win, Lee doesn't care about stats

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August 23

Chicago Tribune

"Derrek Lee hit his first home run since July 27 on Friday against Washington. He still has only five home runs since June 1 after hitting 13 in April and May. "You know, it's not my concern," he said. "We're playing so good, who really cares about your stats?" Lee has a good point, but the Cubs should have some concerns over his diminishing power numbers. He came into Friday's game with a .317 slugging percentage in August and a .234 batting average and .331 slugging percentage since the All-Star break. Asked before the game about Lee's lack of power, manager Lou Piniella said to ask hitting coach Gerald Perry. Zambrano watch Carlos Zambrano was scheduled to see a dentist Friday to get ..."

Lee, Cubs come up big

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July 29

Chicago Sun-Times

"If this is the way the whole series is going to go, the Cubs might be here for a while. And who knows how much either team will have left for the 53-game sprint to the finish that follows, the way they were trading blows Monday night in what looked like the heavyweight match of the year. And that's just the CC Sabathia part of what happened in the Cubs' scene-stealing 6-4 victory over Milwaukee's star newcomer and his Brewer pals at Miller Park. ''It's fun playing in this kind of environment,'' said the Cubs' Ted Lilly, the ''other'' guy in the pitching matchup before the biggest crowd of the season in Milwaukee. ''Especially in July -- that's the amazing thing.'' A run-scoring double by ..."

Kings of New York: Cubs rule All-Star roost

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July 14

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Jay Mariotti

"One by one, they stood on the field clutching their National League All-Star jerseys, validating this brave new world of mighty Cubdom. Time was when the cause was represented by just one player, such as Sammy Sosa or Ernie Banks, because no one else belonged. Today, a mind-blowing eight players will join manager Lou Piniella for the festivities in New York, the most All-Stars from a NL team since the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. It's like the Revenge of the Nerds, baseball version. Who knew the Cubbies would commandeer the Midsummer Classic? Who knew they would own the best record in the majors at 57-38, the highest run differential in the majors at plus-106 and the gathering passions of a ..."

Inconsistency puzzles Lee

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July 6

Chicago Tribune

"Derrek Lee went 3-for-5 Saturday to raise his average above .300 again and is hitting .405 in the first nine games of the 10-game trip. This has been an unusual first half for Lee, who has been inconsistent from week to week, going from prolonged slumps to long hot streaks. "It's kind of schizophrenic," Lee said. "I don't know why. I look at my numbers and they don't look that bad, but it doesn't feel great. I go through three games a week and do nothing, and then do something for a couple of games. It has been kind of hit or miss this year. I'd rather it be a little more even. I'd rather be more consistent.""

Day of rest looms for Cubs' slumping Lee

May 20

Chicago Tribune

"Derrek Lee has tailed off considerably after a hot start in April, forcing manager Lou Piniella to consider giving him a rare day off. After hitting .371 in April with eight home runs and 23 RBIs, Lee is hitting .187 in May with two home runs and seven RBIs. "Wednesday would be a wonderful time to give him a day off," Piniella said before Lee went 2-for-5 Monday night. "He'll have from Tuesday night until Friday night in Pittsburgh. Let's see how he swings the bat. ... Let's hope he gets hot. We need his bat.""