Carlos Zambrano And The Label "Head Case"

by neonverse1 on Jun 8, 2009 4:08 PM CDT Comment 39 comments

There’s little doubt that in the macho world of sports many people remain insensitive to what one might call weakness, especially when it applies to an athlete’s emotions. When a player loses his cool, as Carlos Zambrano frequently has, he often is perceived as a loose cannon.

Some armchair psychiatrists, however, take it a step further by diagnosing Zambrano as a "head case" because of his undesirable behavior. Such misguided labeling is harmful to the pitcher in question and to people who suffer from genuine psychological disorders.

In contemporary American society, diseases of the mind (in terms of general respect and financial assistance) exist far below all physical aliments. Stigmas often follow people who struggle with mental health issues on a daily basis. Depressed patients, for example, may become depressed about their depression and how they are viewed by others.

Since we cannot see when something is awry with one’s mind, like we can when someone has a cast on a broken leg, some of us dismiss emotional problems as personal defects and then replace empathy with judgements that originate from fear or ignorance. This needs to stop, but it’s evident that such a change in perception won’t occur soon.

As long as people continue to attach terms with negative connotations to Zambrano’s psychological state, they diminish him as a person and, in the process, increase stereotypes about members of the mental health community.

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.

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Was that term used somewhere on this site...

…or are you just referring to its general use?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 8, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've heard this term used in a variety...

…of settings, and it’s bothered me a lot.

The unexamined blog is not worth reading.

by neonverse1 on Jun 8, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK. Just curious.

I agree, too. This topic came up when Jason Marquis was signed, as Cardinals fans had a similiarly offensive nickname for him. And it’s a point worth making – mental illnesses are no laughing matter.

(Speaking of Marquis, he just took over the NL wins lead with eight.)

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by dat cubfan daver on Jun 8, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While Marquis was expendable...

…and we aren’t hurting for starting pitching, Hendry could have done a lot better than Viz in return. Wasn’t it essentially a salary exchange?

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 8, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think so, yeah.

Too bad Hendry couldn’t have gotten a PTBNL based on Marquis’ win total. At this rate, he’s going to beat Halladay.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 8, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Close but Halladay just got his 10th.

Let’s also not forget that his ERA is almost 4 and he’s been notorious for getting out to good starts and then falling apart.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 8, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said

rec’d.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 8, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a well written post.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jun 8, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I agree whole heartedly.

"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"

by VicVega on Jun 8, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

as someone who's been around depression a lot

I sympathize with the idea of this post. But I don’t really agree with it.

1) I haven’t heard Z labeled a head case, or, if I have, it’s been once. The book Cubs Nation labeled him a “knucklehead,” which I think is very appropriate.

2) As labels go, I don’t think “head case” is that meaningful, or hurtful. I don’t think it indicates that someone has a disease of the mind.

3) As labeling being “harmful to the pitcher in question,” Z is a pitcher who is notorious for his outbursts. Any slams against his reputation are almost completely on him.

I really don’t mean to be insensitive here — and if the head case label has offended people with actual mental issues, that’s terrible.

by elgato on Jun 8, 2009 5:04 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

+1

I didn’t realize a short temper was considered a mental illness.

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on Jun 8, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

...

…um, i dunno what to say. Cool i guess. Um…

by TheHawkRules on Jun 8, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I can whip out my DSM-IV if we wanna do this the right way, people.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jun 8, 2009 6:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, I'll take the bait

There is nothing wrong or obscene with calling someone a headcase if they truly deserve it. It doesn’t diminish him as a person. In our lexicon, its a common, relatively benign way of saying a player gets himself in trouble for things a more calm/focused/disciplined player would not.

I’m a huge defender of both Z and Bradley whenever they are called something negative. But that’s based on my view that the criticism is generally overblown, and doesn’t account for how hard both those guys play. But if the facts warranted, it would not be an insult to the mentally ill of america to say that a ballplayer is a headcase.

I just think you’re being way too sensitive. ‘Head Case’ is a far cry from insinuating an actual mental illness, and hardly diminishes or de-humanizes those who have one.

by Orval Overall on Jun 8, 2009 6:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

If we are into the business of calling names, then Carlos Zambrano might be better labeled an idiot

I think that is the prevailing viewpoint among baseball fans across the country on Zambrano. He’s our idiot and also happens to be a workhorse and vital member of our pitching staff.

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little messed up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

by BLou on Jun 8, 2009 6:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You are in the business

of calling names and idiot seems to be a favorite of yours.

by sue369 on Jun 8, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he did say

he’s our idiot. That’s something. :-p

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on Jun 8, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I guess I'm

not into calling our players names.

by sue369 on Jun 9, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's amazing

how you continue to get away with just flouting Al’s rules. It really is.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 8, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just consider "Z"

goofy, emotional human being. I just wish he would throw more strikes and stay away from higher pitch counts.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jun 8, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Neon, but............

……..this seems like a “politically correct” post.

The term “head case” has been used for a very, very long time, and yes, players like Z have been lumped into this grouping. It’s long been a catch-all for guys who can’t keep their cool and/or guys with “short fuses”, amongst other things.

If people with genuine mental problems are bothered by this, well, it strikes me that they likely have far greater problems than worrying about a widely accepted phrase being used in the general sports vernacular.

Put me on ESPN’s “Around the Horn” because I’m SELLING this one.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on Jun 8, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I prefer clown

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jun 8, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, we know.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 8, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deep fried or broasted?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 9, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deep fried

Otherwise, clowns taste funny

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jun 9, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The breading sticks well to their makeup.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 9, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People are responsible for their own behavior

If any one of us ranted and raved, over reacted and threw things about the work place, we’d be labeled also.
The label doesn’t diminish the person, the behavior does.

by alexinSac on Jun 9, 2009 12:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fully agree!

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on Jun 9, 2009 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the problem with mental illnesses

They’re still so poorly understood relative to physical illnesses, both by medical professionals and the rest of us.

If I call in sick because I have mono, no one bats an eye. Of course I don’t go to work. I won’t be able to function and I risk spreading it to co-workers.

If I call in sick because I’m depressed, I guarantee some, if not most, would question the legitimacy, even though the symptoms of the disease can be functionally very similar to mononucleosis.

So, yes, I completely agree that one is responsible for their own behavior. But what if there are circumstances that you don’t see that are at the root of that behavior?

As for how this relates to Zambrano…I don’t know. He probably has anger management issues that should be dealt with. Refusal to have it treated is on him. Refusal to require him to treat it in order to continue playing is on the Cubs.

by redward on Jun 9, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have to disagree a bit here.

I think if someone used the phrase head case in order to describe Zambrano’s antics, that would be something perfectly within the norm of society to describe such antics. I really don’t see how it diminishes him as a person. It rather describes his outburts. What do you want someopne to say… “Periodically Zambrano has an emotional response on the field of play that is out of societal norms but that in no way should judge his worth as a human being.” That hurt to even type it.

And BTW, I have a member of my immediate family with a mental health condition. He was committed as a threat and now is heavily medicated. He has a support system that helps his self confidence on a daily basis and leads a productive life. But if you think you can scrub the world of every unpleasantry in order to protect some, that is very PC and some thing that infringes on other people to just describe something they see. And I would be just as comfortable saying my response in front of my family member.

And for the record, I don’t think he is a head case, I was responding to the PC nature of the post.

Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton

by KaliCub on Jun 9, 2009 1:27 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I rec'd because I think it's an interesting topic for discussion

But I’m not sure I understand your point.

Are you saying that the term “head case” is offensive? I can see that.

Are you saying people with no medical training should stop trying to diagnose someone they’ve never even met with perceived conditions? I’d agree.

Still, I’m not sure how that is harmful to Zambrano. Either he does have mental problems, in which case he should be seeking treatment (and maybe he is, I don’t know), or he doesn’t, in which case his antics are really just inexcusable behavior from a grown man.

If you’re suggesting that he is suffering from some condition and that the constant name-calling is hindering his progress, then I guess there’s something to that. But then he should swallow his pride and let people know that.

There have been at least three or four major leaguers either on the DL for or coming back from anxiety disorders, and I don’t think it’s because there’s more anxiety among players. I think it’s because medical professionals are getting better at identifying them and because players are realizing that the stigma of being “mentally weak” is worth having a successful career.

by redward on Jun 9, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, your post actually raises an issue...

…I’ve noticed lately, too – I even mentioned it to my wife (who’s a social worker/therapist). It seems like major league teams are becoming a little bit more open about recognizing anxiety as a legit reason to DL someone.

We had Dontrelle Willis last season, and so far this season we’ve seen both Khalil Greene and Joey Votto go on the DL for, among other things, anxiety. I guess I’d say this is a good thing – as it perhaps shows that at least some of the stigmas attached to mental illnesses are maybe starting to lessen a bit.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 9, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs