Cubs 101 - Pt. 63 - Derrek Lee's Inhumane Season

Following the Cubs 2003 grasp at glory, Jim Hendry made some swooping moves to make the team even better in 2004.  One of the best of these moves was a deal with the always-money-conscious Marlins for a then-27-year-old first baseman who had, in Rob's words, been the least-threatening member of a dangerous Florida lineup in the 2003 NLCS. Still, it turns out that Derrek Lee's acquisition was one of the best moves Jim Hendry ever made.  He gave the Cubs a bat as potent as -- but more useful than -- Fred McGriff's, and he also brought with him Gold Glove caliber defense.  In 2004, he delivered on both promises -- hitting 31 homeruns and narrowly missing his second Gold Glove crown -- but his real achievement as a Cub came in 2005. See, the problem with Derrek was that he was legendary for his slow starts.  Even in '04, he'd be a .233 hitter at the end of April and a .257 hitter by the end of May before exploding with a .385 AVG in June.  ...