Has anyone noticed that Jim Edmonds has quietly hit 13 home runs since he was acquired the Cubs in May, and has surreptitiously resurrected his career?

Talk about moves that paid off! Jim Hendry’s astute mid-season acquisitions Reed Johnson and Edmonds are exhibit A that sometimes lefty-righty platoons actually do work.

Playing exclusively against right-handed pitchers, Edmonds is batting .275 with the aforementioned 13 dingers and a .936 OPS since he came over to the Cubs.  Edmonds has also put to rest fears that he can no longer play centerfield, playing at least passible defense and even making the occasional spectacular play in center for the Cubbies while avoiding injury so far (perhaps the extra days off when lefties pitch helps).

Meanwhile, Reed Johnson, who now only plays against left-handers, is batting .318 with a .410 on-base percentage and an .865 OPS when batting against lefties.

Put that together and you have some truly impressive offensive production out of the centerfield spot, cobbled together from other teams’ scrap heaps.

Reed Johnson has got him some gnarly facial hair. It truly puts the “goat” back in “goatee.” Behold:

It’s like even he can’t believe how horrible he looks.

Yes, Reed, that facial hair does make you look fat.

What do you think he’s doing with his tongue there?

more at twiigs.com…