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First Base Today: While Paul Konerko provides more power, Cubbie Mark Grace hits for a better average and plays far better defense. If Frank Thomas were the Sox regular first baseman, he would get the nod here. But he's not. Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: Konerko is young and getting better. Grace, while still a stud, is getting long of tooth. Edge: White Sox
Second Base Today: Eric Young is a better offensive player who may lead the league in steals. Ray Durham may be a star someday-today he is not. Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: At 32, Eric Young should have several productive seasons remaining at his current level of performance. . Ray Durham may be a star someday. Edge: Cubs
Third Base Today: Shane Andrews' home runs are nice but they're not worth the Mendoza-line average. His defense is good but not great. Greg Norton has a solid future and is looking good right now-but not great. This is a tough call. Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: Another tough call. Andrews is a good third baseman. Norton mat be star in a few years. Norton may be replaced as the starting third baseman in a few years. At least the Cubs know what they have. Edge: Cubs
Shortstop Today: Cubs Ricky Gutierrez vs. White Sox Jose Valentine. Valentine is solid with occasional flair and a good bat. Gutierrez is also good in the field and is showing surprising pop his bat. Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: Valentine is going to be solid for many more years. Gutierrez will be replaced by a free agent or a peanut vendor who can really sling those bags o' nuts. Edge: White Sox
Left Field Today: Henry Rodriguez provides good power and good defense. Carlos Lee is ripping the ball at an All-Star pace. Who would have thunk it? Edge: White Sox Tomorrow: Rodriguez has peaked and he's not bad. Carlos Lee looks like he may be something special. Edge: White Sox
Center Field Today: Damon Buford or Chris Singleton? Chris Singleton or Damon Buford? Baseballs on batting tees wait without fear when either of these guys approaches with a bat in their hands. Singleton is steadier in the field. Edge: White Sox Tomorrow: We know Buford is going to be a mediocre player. Singleton may be more. Edge: White Sox
Right Field Today: Magglio Ordonez is gem but, offensively, the only players living in Sammy Sosa's neighborhood are McGwire and A-Rod. Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: Magglio Ordonez will be in Chicago's south side for at least the next few years. Sosa is already talking about where else he would like to play. Watching Ordonez will be far superior to remembering Sosa. Edge: White Sox
Catcher Today: It's lucky for Mark Johnson that the only other guy on the White Sox who own a catcher's glove is Brook Fordyce. Johnson is good only when compared to Fordyce. Joe Girardi just looks good in a Cubs uniform (hitting near .300 doesn't hurt). Edge: Cubs Tomorrow: No hope on the horizon for the White Sox and Girardi has at least a few years left. Edge: Cubs
Ace Today: James Baldwin is pitching like Catfish Hunter. The problem is, he's not Catfish Hunter. The white Sox have removed all mirrors from Baldwin's locker, home, and hotel rooms. Despite this noble effort, Baldwin will eventually look into a mirror and discover that he is, in fact, not Catfish Hunter but James Baldwin. When this happens (and it will) Baldwin will be nothing more than an average pitcher. Kerry Wood is not quite himself yet. Still, he's a solid starter. But as long as Baldwin thinks he's Catfish Hunter, he's better. Edge: White Sox Tomorrow: Kerry Wood is only going to get better as he gets stronger. He has the ability to be simply dominant. Edge: Cubs
Closer Today: Rick Aguilera is really good. He is also a known commodity. That means he can be depended upon. Keith Foulke has come out of almost nowhere wearing a Dennis Eckersley costume. Edge: White Sox Tomorrow: Aguilera isn't going anywhere for a number of years. Therefore, the Cubs are very well set at closer. Lots of guys have come into the league like a flaming comet only to burn out just as fast. Foulke is still an unknown commodity. Take Aguilera's proven excellence over Foulkes incredible potential. Edge: Cubs
Manager Today: Don Baylor is the Cubs manager. Edge: White Sox Tomorrow: The Cubs are probably stuck with Don Baylor as their manager for a few more years. Edge: White Sox
Overall Don Baylor will manage the Cubs for the foreseeable
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