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player ready...Before his first game as a Cub on Saturday, Todd Zeile talked of his fielding, his hitting and his emotions.
Zeile said he would play left field on Saturday, would move full-time to third base in a day or two, and would serve as emergency catcher if needed.
Zeile said he would bat fifth behind Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace or anywhere else manager Jim Riggleman put him in the batting order.
Emotionally, Zeile said, “It felt strange putting on these pinstripes, but I couldn’t be happier. I was ready to move on. This was the top of my list. I’ve always loved to play in Wrigley Field: the day games, the atmosphere, the fans, the natural grass.”
Zeile has not caught for five years, but when Riggleman asked Zeile if he would catch a few innings in a pinch, Zeile said, “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Straining: Dodgers second baseman Delino DeShields singled to lead off the game and then sustained a strained right groin as he was picked off first. Chad Fonville replaced DeShields and made four hits.
Farm report: The Daytona Cubs (41-26) won the first-half title in the Eastern Division of the Class-A Florida State League. Jason Ryan, 19, won the title-clinching game 3-2 over Vero Beach. Ryan has a 6-3 record. Jason Hart earned his 16th save.