Fukudome doing well, feelings hurt

Despite the controversy over the "Horry Kow" racist trash / t-shirt, Kosuke Fukudome doesn't appear to be having many problems adjusting to the major leagues.

It can't hurt that Fukudome is already garnering the lion's share of cheers at Wrigley, including chants and general screaming, but thankfully, no Thundersticks yet. Damn, I went and jinxed it.

As of Tuesday morning, he's batting .328 with 9 RBI and three stolen bases. Despite what fans saw on Opening Day, he's notched only one home run - the one he hit to start the season. In a team stocked with legitimate power hitters, no one is complaining.

Part of the hype surrounding Fukudome as he signed this winter was that he filled a need for a left-handed bat, who could hit for contact. In last night's game against the Mets, Fukudome had four official at-bats and saw 4, 6, 9 and 10 pitches, respectively. Even better for the Cubs, his hits (both to left field) were on the 9- and 10-pitch efforts in his last two at-bats.

Having a batter in your lineup who shows that kind of patience and can prolong at-bats, driving up pitch counts and delivering after fouling off a half dozen pitches is a major asset and something the Cubs desperately need.

Let Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez swing for the fences - Cubs' fans should just stay quiet and hope Fukudome (and his .444 OBP) keeps doing exactly what he's doing.

(Image taken for Siberian Baseball)