Phil Rogers and Mike DiGiovanna write that because the Cubs had a losing record once Fred McGriff joined the team, maybe McGriff isnÕt a winner.

Jim Tracy says that because the Baltimore Orioles had a winning record with weak-hitting Mark Belanger at shortstop, then your shortstop doesnÕt have to hit for you to be successful.

Do any of these people know the difference between correlation and causation?

I donÕt know that Alex Cora is so much better than Cesar Izturis that he should be starting for the Dodgers in 2003, or that choosing one over the other will make a huge difference. But if youÕre going to put the worst-hitting player in baseball in your starting lineup, which Izturis would have been last year with just a few more plate appearances to qualify, at least have a better justification than ÒMark Belanger couldnÕt hit.Ó

For better or worse, the Dodgers think Izturis is their shortstop for the long-term. ThatÕs a good reason to play him. ThatÕs the justification. Putting forward the idea that his as-yet undeveloped hitting skills are irrelevant Ð thatÕs no justification.

That said, I think that although Cora is depressed about Tracy's Belanger comment, he will get his chances this season.