Top Five

Sporting News, The, August 6, 2001

The best players who aren't hitting their weight.

1 Mark McGwire (.202; 250 pounds). McGwire's Gaedellian batting average means he probably won't get 70 hits this year. The Cardinals' already-slim chances will disappear if McGwire doesn't deliver. Seven hits in a row, over nine games, were homers, a sign his timing finally might be back.

2 Tim Salmon (.202; 231). The outfielder barely is hitting two bills and is striking out almost once per game. Salmon thinks his problems are between his ears. That's especially evident in his average with runners in scoring position--.114.

3 Todd Hundley (.177; 199). It's debatable to say the Cubs needed him back from a minor league rehab assignment, considering he'd have to go on Body Solutions to get his weight below his batting average. If he can contribute anything in the final two months, the Cubs are in.

4 Dave McCarty (.195; 215). With Jermaine Dye gone, McCarty will get more of a chance. He'll have to lay off the barbecue--and the breaking stuff--to pull his average closer to his weight.

5 Doug Mirabelll (.176; 218). He always has been weak offensively, but at least he has thrown out 39 percent of potential basestealers, which has helped the Red Sox.