Wojo on Big Z

by tville on Sep 30, 2008 10:01 PM CDT Comment 18 comments

Gene Wojciechowski, formerly of the Tribune and now with ESPN, penned an interesting article on their site.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3616954&sportCat=mlb

He really says nothing we don't already know, but when it's laid out in print like this it does give cause for concern.

In the end, this is all in Zambrano's hands. Either he performs like a man or acts like a child.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

1 recs | Comment 18 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

yawn

I don’t know much about Wojciechowski, but come on man, tell us something that we don’t know. Write about something new and unique. Anyone who pays attention to baseball knows that Z can be one of the biggest cry-babies on the field, and it obviously affects his pitching at times.

by rambler19 on Sep 30, 2008 11:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wojo hates Chicago.

He spends all his time on articles that make Chicago look bad – blah blah blah.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Oct 1, 2008 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you thought that was bad...

…the rick reilly special on espn today was absolute garbage. He pretty much came up with the 10 stupidest reasons that the cubs won’t win the world series. It required absolutely no insight into baseball, it just played to the whole “curse” BS that espn loves to talk about. And to think, this is probably just the beginning of more crap like this while the cubs are in the playoffs….so sad.

by WUSTLCubsFan on Sep 30, 2008 11:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Saw that. Wanted to punch the TV.

He probably spent less time writing that than it took to read it back.

Friend: Soto for Mayor of Chicago!
Me: Yeah! Just because we don't live there doesn't mean they won't let us vote!

by znohitter on Oct 1, 2008 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately.............

………….this is the type of “journalism” we’re going to see for the next few weeks.

Once the Cubs close it out later this month, these morons are going to have to find a new shtick.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Oct 1, 2008 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about Peter Gammons....

He picked the Cubs at the beginning of the season, yet takes the Dodgers in an upset to beat the Cubs??? I love ESPN, and honestly the only reason they are giving the Dodgers a chance is the Manny affect. Lets face it, ESPN is clearly out of touch, because we face the best hitter in baseball 12-18 times a year in Pujols, do we really think Manny is better than him? I doubt it.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Oct 1, 2008 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gammons is a windsock. He will change his mind 5 times

before the end of each series. He will come on one day a make a compelling case why one team should win and will turn around the next day and make the argument in the opposite direction. He will always pick the redsox even after they get eliminated.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm worried but I'm not

I’m worried for Z’s health but not for his performance in Game 2.

Zambrano has proven in important games that he can come through. Remember in 2007 when he had a horrible appearance and got boo’d off the mound? The next time out he was dominant. He was great last year in the post-season as well. He was excellent during the no hitter when everyone was watching if he was healthy.

Here’s the numbers that bother me about Zambrano. He has been tagged for a lot of runs in his last 3 starts. 8 of those runs were from grand slams. He had a few walks but there was some poor defense and bad calls from umps (strikes called balls). Take away the grand slams (one of which was from one of the most clutch people in baseball) there would be nothing to worry about.

And if Z does struggle, Lou will pull him immediately and put in Lilly.

by ak123 on Sep 30, 2008 11:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So what if Z totally bombs in the playoffs?

Would you consider trading him for some tor prospects/established big leaguers?

I mean really, you’d have to consider it. Say Tampa Bay offered you Upton and a prospect, say one of their minor league pitchers. You take it.

But I expect Z to dominate.

Devin Hester, you are ridiculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Oct 1, 2008 12:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That scenario is not plausible, regardless of what he does in the playoffs.

by bikemonkey on Oct 1, 2008 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My prediction

is that Z will be dominant in game 2. At worst, he’ll have a quality start.

by nathew on Oct 1, 2008 5:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What

I’d love to see Z dominate and throw some baseballs at the press box and certain fans.

Wow he shows emotion is not a robot. I am really getting sick of this trashing of him. I realize people want a PC robot out there.

Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 1, 2008 6:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone who says they know how Z will perform is delusional. These out-of-town

knuckleheads act like they are experts about our team. We watch Z in every start and we don’t have a clue what’s going to happen. He may pitch another no-hitter or he may not make it out of the first inning. Let’s just cross our fingers and hope for the best.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 8:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

People forget

The 2 starts after the no hitter he was flying back and forth to Venezuela between them dealing with his grandma’s death.

Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 1, 2008 8:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree this series is all about Z and our big 3 getting some clutch hits...

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Oct 1, 2008 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wojo is an idiot

I don’t necessarily disagree that there is cause to be concerned about Z (heck, I was one of the earlier proponents of giving Dempster the Game 1 start ahead of Z), but Wojo’s reasoning is extremely faulty.

He points out that Z has never had a playoff win as proof that he’s not a “big game” performer, but fails to note that Z pitched an excellent game last year and would have gotten the win if not for an anemic Cubs offense.

All he is really doing is cherry-picking facts to present the most negative picture of Z possible. If he had laid it all out, the good and the bad, then come to the conclusion that Z is risky, I might have agreed. Instead, he went for the alarmist, sensationalistic route.

by SuperContext on Oct 1, 2008 9:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what you just said basically can be summed up quickly.

He works for ESPN.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Oct 1, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For some reason...

…Zambrano almost seems to need to make things difficult on himself. I don’t know if it is subconscious or what, but I have a feeling (believe it or not) the playoff atmosphere will have a calming effect on him.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 1, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs