(Marlon) Byrd's the Word

Guaranteed amusement comes from the famous Family Guy episode where Peter Griffin basically has a seizure about the Bird is the Word.  If you haven't seen it a million times, there's a first for everything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184.  The Cubs have a Byrd in center field.  He swoops over the grass and takes flight to catch fly balls, animal instincts few center fielders possess.  I was thrilled at a Qdoba Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin when the ESPNEWS ticker informed me a linebacker had just been signed by the Cubs. 

Marlon Byrd, all 6'0", 245 lbs. of him, became a popular figure in Cubdom from his first Cubs at-bat by hitting a three-run homer, just like Starlin Castro.  He has been very consistent and very important in the 29 games since then.  Byrd has already bonded well with Fukudome and Soriano in the outfield and has proven himself so far to a fan base that, because of hotheaded outfielders past, has become quick to pounce on and criticize outfielders.  His 23 RBI and .339 BA in 30 games make up a big part of the following stats in the next paragraph.

Despite the inconsistencies of the team altogether, the Cubs have gotten their offense closer to 2008 levels than 2009 levels.  The Cubs have (MLB rank followed by NL rank): 148 runs scored (10th of 30, 5th of 16), 280 hits (7th, 4th), 37 HR (5th, 2nd), 455 Total Bases (5th, 3rd), 146 RBI (7th, 4th), .273 BA (7th, 3rd), .348 OBP (6th, 2nd), .444 SLG PCT (6th, 3rd), and 113 BB (9th, 4th).

I mentioned in an earlier post that center field is the most important position on the field, in my opinion.  The Cubs haven't really had great leaders at center the last few years (Corey Patterson, Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones, Felix Pie, Jim Edmonds, and Kosuke Fukudome), even if some were good players.  Byrd is an aggressive player and undoubtedly the commander the outfield.  When you have a guy like that, it spreads and everyone wants to be in on the fun.  Tyler Colvin must be getting a lesson from him and regulars Fukudome and Alfonso Soriano must be enjoying themselves more than before.  Marlon is such a positive influence I bet he would increase 'Fun' for the Cubs if that was a baseball stat.  Go Cubs!