Watching the first inning today, I didn't think there was any way Carlos Zambrano would make it past four. But there he was on the winning end of a 3-2 decision over the Cincinnati Reds.
Big Z walked the first batter on four pitches. He was talking to himself, seemed to be ticked at Henry Blanco for allowing a passed ball and just seemed on the verge of losing it.
But he battled. He battled through emotions. He battled through another game with less than his best stuff. He even battled through a cracked molar.
And he homered.
This guy is the cult of sports personality in this town.
Zambrano is a dominant pitcher, worthy of comparrisons to a guy like Sabathia, but I still think he's a head case that will eat his way out of the game in a few short years.
If I were in charge of the team, I'd be having night sweats worrying about the length and cost of that guaranteed contract.
Roman responds: Not only the length of the contract, but how will he maintain his composure if the Cubs make the NLCS or Series? Who would rather have in Game 7? Harden, Dempster or Z? Love the guy, but not sure I'd want Z in that scenario. He does battle, though.
Sometimes you cant seperate the Hot Head from the Great Player.
The Hot Headedness is what makes him so great. It is what drives him.
Not saying its good, or bad, im just saying.
While I agree that Z's emotions can be an issue, he's a big game pitcher. He battled Webb last year and matched him zero for zero. When you get into a theoretical game 7, I want a guy who's a battler and willing to hang in there. Z is that guy. Demps could be that guy. I haven't seen that from Harden, but you see it from Z every time.
i'm a sox fan, big time. however, big z is one of my all time favorite players. how can you not admire him as an all-around baseball wild man? venezuela!
Hey Culzie, I'm so bored with this Cubs thread already, aren't you? It's been up for 17 hour already!!!
Next time Zambraino pitches, Lou should bat him 8th and Fukudome 9th. Maybe Fukudome will begin to get the message that his 16 inch softball swing is not appropriate for MLB.
Btw, do the Cubs play anyone with a winning record the rest of the season?
17 hour?
too much Yoga one forget how to make word plural.
Julie B. talk pretty one day