Roger Clemens first two attempts at 300 wins received our attention. However, with the Yankees playing the Cubs at Wrigley Field and Clemens facing Kerry Wood, the only other pitcher to record 20 strikeouts in a nine inning game, rather than merely working with the game in the background, we set aside the time to watch the game with few distractions outside of preparing a couple of hotdogs.

Through the first three innings, Kerry Wood's strikeouts were the focus of the game and the fourth inning began much the same with Derek Jeter swinging and missing for the first out. Then the wind took a Jason Giambi pop up headed to first and carried it towards the third base line. Hee Choi followed the path of the ball and made a successful catch. Unfortunately, Wood also pursued the pop up and collided with Choi, batting Choi in the forehead with his glove. The impact of the collision didn't seem particularly severe, and our first thought was to hope the pitchers' duel wouldn't end with a Wood injury, but then the 6'5" Choi fell backwards and his head landed with a thud on the baseline. Everyone grew quiet as he not only failed to rise but also didn't appear to move.

While the response seemed to take forever given how still he was lying, medical staff, players, and coaches surrounded him within moments after he fell. Nevertheless, Choi remained motionless. The minutes ticked by and still Choi remained unconscious while an ambulance sounded in the background. Someone brought a backboard to the field and then turned around as though a decision had been made not to disturb him without better equipment. The gate in the right field wall opened and the ambulance drove onto the field. Either as it pulled up or shortly after the paramedics were on the seen, Choi began showing small signs of life. Eventually, with his head and neck braced, he was placed in the ambulance, though the vehicle did not drive away until after the attendants had spent a few minutes in the back with Choi.

While reports during the game were encouraging, we didn't find out until afterwards that Choi had suffered nothing more serious than a concussion, not that the head injury should be taken lightly. He was able to leave the hospital on Sunday, but the Cubs decided to exercise caution and place him on the disabled list so there will be no worry about rushing his return. After a week of rest, he's expected back on his feet.

The Cubs called up David Kelton to replace Choi on the roster. Chicago drafted Kelton out of high school with their second round pick of the 1998 draft. He's moved steadily through their system, spending 1999 at A Lansing in the Midwest League, 200 at A+ Daytona in the Florida State League, and the last two seasons at AA West Tennessee in the Southern League. This year he advanced to AAA Iowa in the Pacific Coast League, where he was hitting .304 with a .385 OBP and .466 SLG on 58 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, and 6 HR with a 25:47 BB:K and 4/4 SB% in 191 AB. He possesses a solid walk rate and promising power skills, though his contact rate needs work.

Chicago hoped he would develop defensively into a third baseman, but after continued problems with his fielding skills, he asked to be moved away from the position at the end of May. Kelton is expected to start regularly at DH while the Cubs are playing in AL parks, though he may also play a little left field, which is where he's now expected to settle when he joins the Cubs on a more permanent basis. Unfortunately, his position shift leaves him blocked by Moises Alou, who is making $9.5M this year and next, though the Cubs can buy out his $11.5M 2005 salary for $2M. When Choi comes off the DL, Kelton likely will return to the minors.