Cubs of Yore: Kevin Orie

Nickname: N/A

Played for The Cub: 1997-98, 2002

Random Write-up: Another great white hope coming out of the farm system, Kevin Orie was to be the solid fixture at third base that the Cubs had lacked ever since the days of Ron Santo. Orie was the one that would make us forget the names of Luis Salazar, Leo Gomez, Todd Zeile, Dave Magadan, and (Brant and Chip's nemesis) Steve Buechele. The Cubs were so high on Orie that they drafted him in the first round at pick #29 (a full round ahead of Scott Rolen). Orie competently worked his way up through the minors and became the Opening Day starter at 3B against the Marlins, going 1 for 3. Orie had a very respectable rookie campaign, batting .275 with 8 homers and 44 RBI and boasting the second best fielding percentage among NL third basemen, good enough to finish 11th in the Rookie of the Year voting, behind...Scott Rolen. Unfortunately for Orie, and moreso us Cub fans, Orie's rookie year proved to be his best, ultimately making his Cub tenure more Gary Scott than Ron Santo or shit, even Ron Cey for that matter.

What the hell?: During the legendary Kerry Wood 20 strikeout game against Houston, the lone hit surrendered by Kerry came via a ground ball that many people (re: me) felt Orie should have taken care of. If you watch the highlights of that game, someone in the outfield even holds up a sign that says "E-5". Aside from this famous gaffe, his lasting Cub legacy is "The Guy That Brought Us Felix Heredia in a Trade". Not exactly what you want to be known for, but known nonetheless.

Also of Note: Tried one last comeback in 2006 with the Houston Astros. Was allegedly the last man cut from the Opening Day roster. Orie reported to AAA ball, and retired after two games. His last notable impact on the Cubs happened in 2006, and has been mentioned 'round these parts before.

A few years back in a fantasy draft, Brant Brown asked Chip Wesley to finish out the last couple rounds for him. Chip obliged and picked Kevin Orie with Brant's last pick. Their relationship has been strained ever since.