Cubs select Carlton, Hornsby in OTD

Cubs select Carlton, Hornsby

Old Timer Draft very successful for Cubs

By Ray Leonard / Leiden Cubs MML

The Leiden Cubs have seriously increased their chances for 2004 and for the

years to come. Leiden drafted 23 year old right-handed superstar Steve Carlton

and 19 year old 2^nd baseman Rogers Hornsby. The Cubs were eligible for two

draft picks after they bought a draft pick with Incentive Points in the MML.

Cubs GM Rhee was over the moon after the draft. “We made a draft list and on

that list, Carlton topped the pitchers rank and Hornsby was the first hitter on it”.

“That we managed to get them both is just unbelievable”. Asked if they both were

ready for the majors yet, Rhee answered, “you bet they are”. “These guys have

so much talent, I think we can make a serious playoff push now”.

Steve Carlton is expected to top the Cubs rotation now and start the first game

after the All-Star break against the San Francisco Giants. Freddy Garcia will follow

him and Roy Oswalt will get the ball on getaway day.

Hornsby will be the starting 2^nd baseman. Alfonso Soriano is expected to move

to short, leaving Edgar Renteria on the bench. “Soriano has always been a shortstop,

before the Yankees transformed him into a second baseman”, Rhee said. “In this

situation we had to choose between Soriano and Renteria on short, and Soriano is just more locked in at the moment”.

At the same press conference, Rhee announced that they had signed 4 more players. The Cubs signed starting pitchers

John Burkett, Brett Tomko, Denny Neagle and Todd Ritchie. Burkett will probably head to the starting rotation and start

the 4^th game after the All-Star break. Ben Sheets will follow him as the fifth starter. Tomko, Neagle and Ritchie will

probably start in AAA but are all capable of helping the Leiden Cubs team.

The next game is July 13, when the Giants come to Nike Field. This will probably be a match-up of two superstars, when

Carlton and - another draftee - Jim Palmer face off.