Hawkins Not the Answer

Jay Mariotti as usual goes off on the Cubs closer situation.

Quality closers, of course, don't let their emotions fluctuate like decibel meters at rock concerts. To no one's surprise, Hawkins has cracked under stress like no other Cub. That's a whopper statement on a club that, over the last week, has seen Carlos Zambrano wig out on national TV, Sammy Sosa order Cubs fans to stop booing him, and Moises Alou criticize team broadcasters Chip Caray and Steve Stone (not exactly Howard Cosell and Jim Rome) for not promoting the (ha, ha) offense.

How bad has Hawkins been as closer? How bout approaching Joe Borowski and Kyle Farnsworth levels. Shocking, yes I know.

April-May he was primarily the setup man, while June-July he has been primarily the closer.

• April - 2.53 ERA - .158 OBAA
• May - 1.00 ERA - .164 OBAA
• June - 3.45 ERA - .270 OBAA
• July - 7.36 ERA - .387 OBAA

Yes batters are hitting .387 off of Hawkins this month. That is not a typo.