JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — As predicted, the Chicago Cubs recalled LF Sam Fuld from “AAA” today (8/19/2010) and immediately put him to work.
With the San Diego Padres ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the 6th inning, Fuld was sent in to pinch-hit for starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano. A 28-year-old veteran whose most recent MLB at-bat was on Oct. 4, 2009, Fuld took the first pitch for a ball, then flied out to center field on an 87 m.p.h. changeup. The Cubs went on to score 2 runs in the inning but eventually lost 5-3.
Fuld’s stay is likely to be brief. He was brought up to fill a vacancy created when 1B Derrek Lee was traded to the Atlanta Braves and is expected to be sent down again when 1B Micah Hoffpauir becomes eligible for promotion in several days.
Fuld is the 14th Jewish player to play major-league ball this season. A speedy baserunner with a reputation for hustle and spectacular catches — check out this video of a catch he made to rob fellow Hebe Brad Ausmus of extra bases last year — he is batting .266 with the “AAA” Iowa Cubs, along with 8 triples (tied for 3rd most in the league), 18 stolen bases, a .367 on-base percentage, and a team-best walk-to-strikeout ratio of 51/31.
Fuld has had two prior MLB stints, both with the Cubs. In 2009 he hit .299 and had a .409 on-base percentage in 97 at-bats. In 2007 he went hitless in six at-bats but walked three times.
The Stanford alum, who stands a mere 5’10”, has been treated for Type 1 diabetes since age 10.
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