Mr. Cub impressed with today's hitters

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mr. Cub stopped in his tracks when he saw the new Home Run Derby champ.
"Who taught you how to play?" Hall of Famer Ernie Banks told Phillies slugger Ryan Howard during warmups before Tuesday night's All-Star game.
Banks marveled at Howard's power show at the derby on Monday, in which he topped another young star, Mets third baseman David Wright.
"David Wright -- good hands. Miguel Cabrera -- good hands," Banks later said from a PNC Park suite as he watched National League take batting practice. "But the left-handed hitters seem to be much better balanced, a little bit quicker in the hands."
Quite a compliment from Banks, a pretty good right-handed hitter himself. An 11-time All-Star, Banks hit 512 home runs and won two Most Valuable Player awards in his 19-year career with the Cubs.
"For me to meet a legend like that in this stage of my career is a blessing," said Howard, bat dragging along the ground after he took his pregame swings. "I can only be flashes of what he use to be like."
Banks says today's hitters are better in at least one respect.
"What I see, the technique of hitters today, they have shorter quicker swings. They use their bodies," Banks said, getting up from his chair to take a mock cut. It was at that point that Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols came up for batting practice.
"Just look at this. This kid here, Pujols. They get their body into it. The technique is better now," Banks said. "They are real good."
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