The M and H Lumber Company, the inaugural Strat Pack Champions and last season’s second place finishers, has stumbled out of the gate in season three. Last night’s opening game against the Mafia added another challenge to their uphill battle, as the team lost starting catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to injury. While Rodriguez’s offensive output this season has been modest—batting just .235—his defensive presence has been instrumental in deterring opponents' running games.
With Rodriguez expected to miss the next two games against the Suns, the team signed veteran catcher Benito Santiago to bolster their lineup. Santiago, a five-time All-Star, will bring his offensive prowess to the plate. While he only appeared in 15 games during the 1998 season, he batted an impressive .310 with a .333 OBP and .483 SLG, adding a much-needed spark for a team looking to reignite its momentum.
Joe Girardi has performed admirably in a backup role, hitting .333 with two RBIs in four games, but Santiago’s offensive edge makes him the go-to option during Rodriguez’s absence. Despite his bat, Santiago’s defensive liabilities remain a concern, particularly against a high-speed Suns team.
Meanwhile, franchise managers Howie Fine and Mark Rosenman are reportedly have spent all night in discussions behind closed doors to address the team's performance issues, more changes are expected soon. After finally snapping a franchise-record six-game losing streak, some buffet tables in the clubhouse didn’t survive the night.
As the Lumber Company looks to turn things around, all eyes will be on the team's performance this week. For now, the hope is that Santiago’s bat can outweigh his glove and keep the Lumber Company competitive until Pudge’s return.
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