Finally...Felix Returns

After a short stint with the Chicago Cubs earlier in the year, Felix Pie returned from Triple-A Iowa Sunday going 2-5 with an RBI and two runs in the Cubs 10-1 beat down of the Atlanta Braves

The Cubs' centerfielder of the future finally returned to big league action Sunday to help the Cubs halt their six-game skid and immediately showed he has the tools to make this team go.

For weeks I've been praying that GM Jim Hendry and anyone else involved would bring back Pie as soon as possible, and Sunday my prayers were answered. After Alfonso Soriano recorded the first out in the bottom of the first, Pie singled up the middle and eventually came around to score on Mark Derosa's grand slam. Pie would add an RBI double following Soriano's lead-off triple in the bottom of the fifth that helped kick start a three-run frame. Pie would strike out in his last two at-bats, but the excitement he brings to the game was seen in the fifth inning.

On a broken bat shot down the first base line, Pie hustled out of the box with a double in mind the whole time. Upon rounding first he glanced at right-fielder Jeff Francouer who raced and blindly threw a strike to second. However, it was Pie's speed that won the battle against Francouer's cannon of an arm. That type of play is exactly what Pie can bring to the Cubs day in and day out. He can turn a single into a double, a double into a triple, race down flyballs in centerfield, and steal bases.

Before being brought up, Pie was batting an astounding .389 for Triple-A Iowa with three homers, 24 RBIs, and 31 runs in 31 games. Pie's only real weakness comes against lefties in which he hit a dismal .156 in 32 at-bats. However, against righties Pie is deadly, hitting .468. The Cubs will face three righties in the upcoming series at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers in Dan Bush, Claudio Vargas, and Jeff Suppan. With those match-ups, expect Pie to be starting everyday in center until possibly Thursday when the Cubs travel to Atlanta to face lefty Chuck James.

With Pie's return, Darryl Ward was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained hip. Now, the Cubs once again have a log jam in the outfield with Alfonso Soriano slated in left daily, Felix Pie, Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan, Matt Murton, and Cliff Floyd. With all these players vying for playing time, you have to imagine the Cubs are planning to make a move with either Jacque Jones or Matt Murton. Jones has struggled all year batting a lousy .248 with only two homers in 165 at-bats. Jones' also possess a sub par arm and a lack of overall worth for the Cubs anymore.

Along with that, the Cubs organization made it clear that Pie's second stint in the big leagues this year is for good. "This is no extended trial," Cubs manager Lou Pinella said. "We brought him up here to play. He's going to play" (chicagocubs.com). If that is the case then the Cubs have four outfielders battling for playing time in right field. That can not continue for long so it is time to bring in the era of Felix Pie and say goodbye to the days of Jacque Jones in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

With Soriano heating up in the lead-off spot, Pie slated second in the order in which he batted .367 at Triple-A Iowa, Derrek Lee the epitome of consistency in the three hole, and Aramis Rameriz leading the Cubs in RBIs and homers in the clean-up spot it looks as if the Cubs finally have their order solidified one through four. Those four went a combined 10-18 in Sunday's win with two homers and three RBIs.

It is clear Pie brings a spark to this line-up unlike any player before him. With Soriano and Pie back-to-back expect a lot of speed, excitement, and production throughout the rest of the year.

Welcome back to the big leagues Mr. Pie. I'm going to get my Pie no. 20 jersey ASAP.