How is Linares Performing Now?

Well, looking at Chunichi's stats page, I see that he's batting .283 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs in 22 games. So he's getting playing time, now, compared to the last time this question was asked.

I haven't seen a Chunichi game for quite a while personally, so I can't say anything first hand. If you check the above Chunichi stats page daily, you'll at least be able to compare how he does day to day.

Hope this helps.

Linares appears to have lost 15-20 kg since last year, and looks to be in good shape for a 35-year-old. I did not recognize him earlier this season, he looks 10 years younger than he did in '02. He has been hitting some clutch RBIs, too.

Nice HR tonight, too, I see on the TV news. Chunichi seems to have used Linares to cover for Ivan Cruz, who, given his run at Hanshin in 2001, the Dragons were insane to sign.

He must be in form now. He is being used as a 5th batter in the line-up.

Torakichi-san is right about Chunichi being crazy to sign Ivan Cruz after he did nothing for Hanshin two seasons ago. It's almost, but not quite, as insane as Daiei signing George Wright back in 1993 after he did nothing for them (actually Nankai) back in 1988.

There are numerous examples of teams signing players for inexplicable reasons. One of the best quotes ever was written by Dave Wiggins of the Mainichi Daily News when he talked about Daiei bringing back pitcher Lee Tunnell after he had gone something like 2-9 the year before. Wiggins wrote, "Does Lee Tunnell have compromising pictures of the Daiei team president?"

Speaking negatively of Ivan Cruz?!?! He has 3 times as many HR's and RBI's as Linares and hasn't played a full game in 2 months!! So if you are going to speak of his hitting skills, then you may want to pick another subject to critisize him about. Why don't you ask why he's not playing? It's all political reasons and has nothing to do with skill. He's healthy, hitting the ball out of the park in practice and during his minor league games. The team has no power and refuses to use Cruz because he won't bow down to the coaches.

Don't you wonder why the press won't ask "why isn't Cruz playing?" He was even on the All-Star ballot because of his popularity! The press folks don't want to lose their jobs because the team owns the newspaper that they report for. So get your facts straight!

Hi,

I am Cuban and would like to know what is happening with Linares in 2004?