In the first inning Sunday, Jose Vizcaino glided to his left and botched a two-out groundball. He got the error, and the Seattle Mariners got a run.
In the second inning, Rey Sanchez braced for a two-out grounder and booted it. He got the error, and the Mariners got a run.
On Opening Day, Vizcaino will be the starting second baseman for the Cubs, and Sanchez will be the starting shortstop. It will be the first time since 1984, when Larry Bowa was around, that the Cubs won’t start a season with Ryne Sandberg and Shawon Dunston at second and short.
A few things to keep in mind:
The kids didn’t create this situation. Mike Jackson, not Vizcaino, broke Sandberg’s wrist. Sanchez didn’t herniate Dunston’s disc.
They understand they have tough acts to follow.
“Everybody knows Ryne Sandberg,” said Vizcaino. Sanchez on Dunston: “He knows how to play the game.”
One more thing to keep in mind: What happened in the first two innings Sunday was a fluke. Vizcaino will be OK at second base. Sanchez will be better than that.
“You’re not going to miss much defensively,” Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre said. “Sanchez was rated out as the top fielding shortstop in the National League last year.”
Vizcaino? “He’s a solid defensive player,” said Lefebvre.
The Cubs acquired Vizcaino from the Dodgers after the 1990 season in a modest trade for another infielder, Greg Smith. Smith primarily was a second baseman.
Smith, as it happens, is back in the organization. But Vizcaino, who started 50 games last season at shortstop, 29 at third and none at second, got the Opening Day assignment.
“It’s going to be exciting for me,” Vizcaino said of the opener. “But it will be the same for me as the other games-just go out there and do the job.”
He has no delusions.
“If (Sandberg) didn’t get hurt, I’m not going to start Opening Day,” Vizcaino said. “But he got hurt, so I’ve got a chance to start. I’ve just got to go out there and do my job.”
He also knows he won’t be out there long. Sandberg is expected to miss a week, maybe two.
For Sanchez, it’s different. Dunston could be lost for months. If he proves he can handle things, Dunston-when he recovers-could be gone.
So this is big. That his chance came about through another player’s misfortune shouldn’t matter, and doesn’t.
“You’ve got to take advantage of opportunities,” said Sanchez, who has shown no sign of his own back problem, a bulging disc that cost him the final month last year. “That’s the way it’s got to be. If he’s hurt and I’ve got to be the one to play, I’ll take that.
“That’s all we’re here for-to get a chance to play, to show what we can do.”
Lefebvre has a pretty good idea. He, like his young infielders, has no delusions.
“When you look at Shawon Dunston and you look at Sandberg, they’re not only great defensive players, but they’re also great offensive players,” Lefebvre said. “So when you get those two guys in the lineup, you’re going to get potential pop and drive and speed.”
Vizcaino, on the other hand, hit .225 last season with one homer in 285 at-bats. Sanchez hit .251 with one homer in 255 at-bats. They combined for just five steals.
“We’re going to miss Ryno’s presence,” Lefebvre said. “We’re going to miss Shawon Dunston’s talent.
“But defensively, I think we’re going to be fine. I really do.”
