Chicago Cubs: Ten players you may have forgotten were once on the team

Chicago Cubs: Juan Pierre

Outfielder Juan Pierre was one of the leading players of the Florida Marlins who broke Cubs’ fans hearts in the 2003 National League Championship Series. Pierre went 10-for-33 in that series as the Marlins knocked out the Cubs in seven games.

By that time, Pierre had established himself as one of the game’s premier leadoff hitters, as well as one of the most dependable players in the league. The 2003 season was the first of five in which he played in all 162 games while leading the league in plate appearances twice and at-bats three times. For his career, Pierre collected 2,217 hits and 614 stolen bases.

One of those reasons mentioned above was the 2006 season, Pierre’s only one with the Cubs. Sensing a need for a leadoff hitter, general manager Jim Hendry acquired Pierre from the Marlins for pitchers Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco, and Renyel Pinto before the 2006 season. Nolasco would go on to win 114 major league games.

Pierre became the second major player from the 2003 Marlins to come over to the Cubs, joining Derrek Lee in 2004. Lee’s tenure was a lot longer and went much better. Through June 9, Pierre batted just .231 as the Cubs quickly plummeted out of contention, reeling from an injury to Lee. Pierre picked it up after that, however, hitting .326 the rest of the way while finishing with 38 stolen bases. Pierre left as a free agent for the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2006 season.