Coming into 1998, expectations for Jeff Blauser were incredibly high. He just had his best season as a pro, putting up a .308/.405/.482 line for the Atlanta Braves in 1997, becoming an All-Star and winning the NL Silver Slugger award in the process. The Cubs signed Blauser as a free agent to help remake their middle infield along with Mickey Morandini. Maybe the front office remembered his performance in 1992 when he hit three home runs at Wrigley Field.
Unfortunately, Jeff Blauser did not live up to his end of the bargain. He hit .219/.340/.299 with a grand total of two home runs on the season, and there were very few highlights to find during this season. He only had three games where he had more than one RBI. The most exciting performance was on July 5th against the Pittsburgh Pirates where Blauser went 3-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. He helped spark a rally where the Cubs completed a four-run comeback with a five-run eighth where Blauser knocked in two runs with a double and would score the deciding run in the game.
His biggest contribution was against his former team in the playoffs. In the 10th inning of a tie game, the Cubs had two men on with just one out. The Cubs sent Henry Rodriguez out there to pinch hit, but the Braves countered by bringing in lefty Odalis Perez. Despite the Cubs having Jose Hernandez, a man who could actually hit, sitting on the bench, Jim Riggleman went with Jeff Blauser. This decision looked like it would pay off for the Cubs when Glenallen Hill stole third base. If there was one thing Blauser could do, it was put the ball in play. Blauser worked it to a full count. Morandini ran on the decisive pitch, and Blauser struck out while Morandini was caught stealing to end the Cubs' chances at scoring. The Braves would go on to score in the bottom of the tenth. Was Jeff Blauser a sleeper agent? No, I think he just got really bad at baseball.
He stuck around the Cubs for another unimpressive year in before retiring after the 1999 season. He was a noted Cubs killer during his time with the Braves, and he kept that moniker while playing in Chicago. But at least people in Atlanta really like him and his elegant home.
In case you missed it:
Introduction
#47 - Matt Karchner
#46 - Jose Nieves
#45 - Rodney Myers
#44 - Justin Speier
#43 - Tony Fossas
#42 - Kennie Steenstra
#41 - Chris Haney
#40 - Bob Patterson
#39 - Pedro Valdes
#38 - Derrick White
#37 - Ben Van Ryn
#36 - Terrell Lowery
#35 - Don Wengert
#34 - Kurt Miller
#33 - Jason Maxwell
#32 - Kevin Foster
#31 - Mike Morgan
#30 - Felix Heredia
Will never forget how disappointing he was as a Cub.
ReplyDeleteIf they would have just gone fully in on Jose Hernandez, who knows how far they could have gone in those playoffs?
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