"The pressure's on Marlon Byrd, and it has nothing to do with Victor Conte. It has everything to do with Derrek Lee, Nomar Garciaparra, Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson — the various All-Stars, batting champs and Hall of Famers who make up an almost continuous line of Cubs No. 3 hitters dating back 25 years. For all the peripheral babbling about leadoff hitters, the decision that will make a much bigger difference in the Cubs' ability to score runs this season rests a little lower: how they fill the critical No. 3 hole — a spot they haven't had to worry much about for a generation. Byrd knows it. And Byrd says he's ready to take the first crack at the No. 3 job manager Mike Quade plans to give him come Opening Day." Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/4395244-419/cubs-leaning-on-marlon-byrd-in-3-hole.html
