Just when rookie Ozzie Timmons stepped up and laid claim to the left-field job, he found himself right back where he started.
“I guess we go back to the platoon system,” said Timmons, who was told one week ago the left-field job was his for the taking.
He took it. Given the chance for the first time to play every day, Timmons went on an 11-for-22 tear, including a 3-for-4 day in Wednesday’s win over the Pirates.
Moments before that game ended, the Cubs announced the trade that sent Rick Wilkins to Houston for left-fielder Luis Gonzalez and catcher Scott Servais.
Gonzalez, a left-handed hitter with a .390 lifetime average in Wrigely Field, will start against right-handers and Timmons, a right-handed hitter, will be back to playing against lefties.
“I’ve got no control over what they do,” said Timmons without any hint of hard feelings. “I’ll just come out and be ready to play every day.”
Pick up the white phone: Gonzalez was in the Houston airport waiting for a flight to spend an off day with his wife’s family in San Antonio when he heard his name on the public address system. “I thought it was a hoax that somebody just saw me there,” said Gonzalez. “I went to the phone and the operator said please hold for Bob Watson and then I got that sinking feeling.
“I don’t want to rip the Astros. I love my teammates and the coaches and I’ve made a lot of good friends here. I’m trying to hold in some of my feelings. I don’t know exactly why this had to happen. But I’m excited that I’m going to a team that has a chance to win in the same division. And I’m going to a place where I’ve always hit the ball well.”
Room Servais: The Cubs’ new starting catcher, is pleased to be getting the chance to play regularly, but he and his family aren’t particularly pleased to be leaving Houston.
“We love Houston and we’ve settled here,” he said. “We have two small children and my wife is very upset about it.”