To this point, the story of Cubs infielders Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot probably hasn't made it far outside Chicago, but each day brings the national audience closer to an angle that could well be Eckstein^2.

It's positively precious--two diminutive, high-contact, line-drive hitters with similar last names playing in the same infield... just like they did as college teammates at LSU! Add in a cutesy nickname for the duo ("French Connection"--the other two I made up) and second-half charge by the "lovable losers," and ...ka-blammo! You've got yourself the best This Week in Baseball moment since Steve Lyons's pants fell down.

I only want to prepare our readers because the Fontenot-Theriot explosion is imminent right now. After a five-hit game Monday and a three-hit game including a homerun today, Fontenot is hitting .408, and his emergence has coincided with--or in sports journalist logic, caused--the Cubs' recent hot stretch. And oh did I mention Fontenot is only 5'8" and 160 lbs?

"The Riot" is not quite as small--just 5'11" and 175 lbs--nor is he as good. But with his 13 SB and connection to Fontenot, a pesky .327 SLG% won't spoil this fluff mine of fluff. No sir-ee!

Prepare yourself, baseball fans. As the Cubs make their second-half charge at the NL Central title, these two young men with silent "T"s at the end of their names will steal your hearts and Alfonso Soriano's credit.

David Eckstein--your reign may be over.

Labels: Chicago Cubs, David Eckstein, Mike Fontenot, MLB, Ryan Theriot