The Top 100 Cubs Of All Time - #43 Carlos Zambrano
This is an update to the Carlos Zambrano story in the Top 100 Cubs series that I wrote on December 22, 2006. Z was 59th in the original ranking, done after the 2006 season; his seasons since then, even with some of his troubles, move him up to 43rd. (In career WAR as a Cub, Z ranks 32nd.) Most of this is the original post; the additional material is at the end of the post, with a bit of editing throughout to bring dates, etc. up to date. This is the second of four profile updates; Kerry Wood's was updated on January 23, and the profiles of the other two active players on the list -- Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee -- will also be updated before spring training begins. The original comments are still here; you can add to them now.
Well he went down to dinner in his Sunday best
Excitable boy, they all said
And he rubbed the pot roast all over his chest
Excitable boy, they all said
Well he's just an excitable boy...
-- Warren Zevon, "Excitable Boy"
Rubbing pot roast on his chest is about the only thing the very, very excitable Carlos Zambrano hasn't done on the pitcher's mound.
I'm exaggerating here, of course. Z's excitable nature, his histrionics on the mound, his clear passion for playing baseball, are all things that make him the exciting player to watch, the guy we all love, the pitcher who's already, at age 25, a dominant force in the major leagues.
Carlos was born June 1, 1981 in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Look at that birth date and realize that there are players born on or around that time who are still toiling away in the minor leagues, having not made any impact in major league baseball, or perhaps not even having played a single game in the majors. In 2006, I wrote this:
For an excellent example of this, you need go no further than the Cubs' own 40-man roster, where you will find the name of Clay Rapada, recently added; many people, including many of you, think Rapada has talent (and I'd agree), and might someday become a good major league reliever.
Rapada was born March 9, 1981 -- he is three months older than Z, and has never thrown a major league pitch. (That was true when I wrote it on December 22, 2006; who'd have guessed, then, that Rapada would wind up in the playoffs, four years later, for the Texas Rangers?)
In fact, when Z made his major league debut, starting the second game of a doubleheader against the Brewers on August 20, 2001, he was the first player in the major leagues to have been born in the 1980's; he was only a couple of months past his 20th birthday. That debut was, as was Kerry Wood's, less than auspicious; he gave up four hits and four walks in four innings, including a three-run homer to Kevin Brown (this Kevin Brown, not the pitcher), and Don Baylor mercifully pulled him after he allowed a single, walk, stolen base and wild pitch to start the fifth inning.
I had seen Z throw in spring training that year and had some spirited debates on the old Cubs Usenet newsgroup (which some of you might remember) about whether Z might be better suited to relief pitching. In fact, had he taken that track, he might well have become an elite closer. He certainly has the stuff and the mound presence and the right approach to be one.
But I think we're all glad that he didn't, and that he was quickly able to harness his considerable talent as a starting pitcher. By the middle of the 2002 season, a lost year for the Cubs, Z was in the starting rotation to stay, and gained confidence as the season went on, finishing with only a 4-8 record, but a respectable 3.66 ERA.
Z, along with the rest of the Cubs, burst onto the national scene in 2003; at age 22 he went 13-11 for the Central Division champions, with 168 strikeouts and a 3.11 ERA. His hitting prowess began to get noticed as well; on July 25, his two-run homer in Houston off his future teammate Wade Miller tied up a game that the Cubs eventually won 5-3. During the postseason, we began to see some of the emotions that Z has become noted for; in game five of the NLCS, the Cubs' first shot at winning that series, Z seemed overwrought and had to be yanked after struggling through five innings, though it's doubtful anyone could have matched Josh Beckett's two-hitter that day.
Between 2004 and 2006 Z established himself as one of the top starting pitchers in the major leagues, winning sixteen, fourteen and sixteen games, and being durable as well (throwing 209, 223 and 214 innings), although he has chronic back problems that require careful monitoring, and during the 2005 season he briefly had a minor elbow problem supposedly caused by too much time spent on the computer emailing his brother in Venezuela. We can laugh at this now because it turned out to be nothing serious.
Z has continued contributing with his bat, too; his six home runs in 2006 tied the club record for home runs by a pitcher (Ferguson Jenkins, 1971), and is the second-most hit by any pitcher in a season since 1955 (Earl Wilson, Mike Hampton and Don Drysdale all hit seven in a season). Through the 2010 season he has 21 home runs, the most of any active pitcher and 11th on the all-time pitcher HR list. It's said he loves hitting so much, that's one of the reasons he'd never approve a trade to an American League team.
In 2007, Z set a career high with 18 wins, but was the subject of some controversy not of his own making when Lou Piniella pulled him out of Game One of the Division Series with the Diamondbacks, supposedly "saving" him for a Game Four which was never played. He finished fifth in Cy Young voting that year.
In 2008, Big Z reached the pinnacle of his career to date with the first Cubs no-hitter in 36 years; it came under unusual circumstances, when Hurricane Ike forced two Cubs/Astros games in Houston to be rescheduled to Milwaukee's Miller Park. On less than 24 hours notice, more than 23,000 people, mostly Cubs fans, bought tickets for the game on Sunday night, September 14, 2008, and cheered Z as he no-hit the Astros 5-0, allowing just two baserunners (on a walk and a HBP) and striking out 10.
The next two seasons were controversy and injury filled. Z missed starts in both 2009 and 2010 with various maladies; at one point he admitted that his back problems were from not being in shape, and he vowed to get in better shape for 2010, spending a lot of the 2009-10 winter in Chicago working out. Then, the 2010 season didn't "work out" at all for him; in a much-debated (and, after the fact, admittedly wrongheaded) decision, he was taken out of the rotation in late April and placed in the bullpen, something he said he'd do for the good of the team, but you could tell he wasn't into it. Returned to the rotation in June, he had a memorable meltdown and confrontation with teammates and coaches in the dugout on June 25 at the Cell; put on the restricted list, he was ordered to get anger management counseling.
Z returned to the rotation a determined and changed man. Visibly focused on his pitching, he had a fantastic two months, going 8-0 with a 1.41 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and only one HR allowed in 70.1 innings. This gave a lot of hope for the 2011 season and beyond, that Big Z could, at last, become the dominant "ace" many Cubs fans had hoped he'd become.
What I wrote to conclude this profile in 2006 is still true:
I think all of us love the passion Z brings to the mound every start, not to mention his considerable talent. If he can channel that emotion into his pitching and not let it get the best of him, there's no telling the greatness to which he can ascend.
Admittedly, at times I have called for him to be traded after yet another one of his outbursts. His play the last two months suggests that, at last, he finally has that under control. Let's hope so. Big Z enters the 2011 season with 1441 strikeouts, second (behind Fergie Jenkins) on the Cub all-time list, and with 116 career wins, 16th on the list -- a 17-win season would tie him with Greg Maddux, who ranks 13th; that would also likely bring him All-Star recognition (he's had three ASG appearances to date) and maybe some Cy Young votes, and the hope from all Cubs fans that he could become one of the greatest pitchers in team history.
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Nice job
by danimal15 on Dec 22, 2006 9:22 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
The bat over the knee...
What stuck out the most in my mind was how casual it was... like it was no big deal. Wow.
I enjoyed that one too
Bat, Gatorade Cooler, Catcher-tiff...
decisions…decisions…on “The Best of Carlos”…
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
Good Gawd!
How did Demp do that interview with a semi-straight face?! :]
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
You win!
Anyone got the Barrett spat? (in all fairness). Ubercubsfan – I had forgotten the senseless rage displayed towards the inanimate Gatorade Machine! Thanks.
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
As I recall, didn't Z
return from the tunnel to give it “one to make sure?” :]
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
JUST A REMINDER BCBers
ALTHO AL STATES IT IN HIS POST- THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE POSTS ARE FROM 2006
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
Great profile
My fave Z moment: Jawing with Ozzie Guillen during the interleague games. Ozzie may intimidate his players, but he doesn't look so tough when Z is staring him down.
Drysdale?
Actually, he puts slots
by TheEman on Dec 22, 2006 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
Drysdale
The first time, 1958, the Dodger team leaders had a more respectible 22 although he still led the team in slugging.
One Criticism
Hopefully we'll have the opportunity soon to see Carlos pitch in a post season in Cubs uniform again.
DmL
I know.
Hopefully
This quote...
That's the same thing we hear all too often in this game. Zambrano may have made a great closer as you say, Al, but why on earth would you move a 20 year old into that role with his physical features and athleticness?
Anymore, everybody wants to find the elite closer and groom them for that role immediately. The great closers in this game were not groomed for that role. They were, as every other reliever, a failed starting pitcher. Some of them failed because they simply didn't have the stamina to throw 6 innings on a consistent basis and some of them failed because they didn't throw enough pitches to face an order the 2nd and 3rd times through. Almost all of them, in one way, shape or form, have been failed starting pitchers though.
Pitchers get moved into relief because they either don't have the stamina or they lack the number of pitches necessary to get by. Carlos lacked neither of those.
Moving Carlos Zambrano into relief at that age would have been one of the worst decisions by a baseball franchise in history...without even having the benefit of hindsight on my side that would be true. I saw Carlos pitch that same spring training you did and thankfully the Cubs left him in the rotation. This guy had star written all over him by the time he was 18 or 19.
Now...
No, I said that "had he taken that track" -- i.e. gone to the bullpen first as a setup man -- he might have eventually become an elite closer.
Please read what I write more carefully and don't imply I said something that I really didn't. Thanks.
Yes and no.
Zambrano's only weakness was his control, which still is a problem, but he misses so many bats that you can live with the control. He's a big, athletic, power pitcher.
I'm sure at some point in the minors people considered moving Roy Oswalt into the bullpen to be a reliever with his size and build, but he ultimately showed the talent that he needed to remain in the rotation despite being undersized.
It's easier to be a reliever than a starting pitcher. You can take a starting pitcher and expect to see an improvement in their numbers in relief because it is easier. 99% of the closers in this game have been guys who were failed starting pitchers. It seems silly to me to try and find the 1% by grooming a guy to do what you will eventually randomly find.
While most of what you said is correct
Good example.
Agreed
My apologies.
Understood.
Interesting.
By the time...
ZAMBRANO!!!
by LilLPLancer23 on Dec 22, 2006 10:56 AM CST reply actions
i think Z sould have been higher
Prior
Don't get me wrong: I think Mark Prior is great. If he ever puts his injuries behind him and starts pitching regularly again, he could eventually make his way onto a list like this. Let's just hope that's the case.
The StL game where he hit Edmonds
Pinella should love this guy. No way Cubs let him go since Prior-Wood have been such busts the last 2-3 years.
It's amazing how fortunes have changed...this is it for Wood-Prior don't think they'll hang with them another year if they don't produce. Where will they rank here? Prior probably not at all; Wood around 40 I'm guessing despite last three years.
by writerinwrigley on Dec 22, 2006 11:27 AM CST reply actions
Wood was a few days ago
Wood's ranked lower
Derrek Lee has already been on here. Is that it for the current roster? I would have thought 3.5 years of Aramis would be > Lee's 2.2 years, even given his monster '05, but could Al be skipping him?
I'd think Aramis should be up there
Aramis
What?
by frustratedfan on Dec 22, 2006 2:26 PM CST up reply actions
top infielders next on the list instead of ramirez
by sjcubfan on Dec 22, 2006 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
Z
Zambrano...
I think this past season did a lot for Z's confidence; with the best of the staff down, he pretty much HAD to step up and assume the role of ace. I think with this past season behind him, he's only going to get better.
I think he also started getting a little bit hungry for that Cy Young award towards the end of the year...
by raalic17 on Dec 22, 2006 11:58 AM CST reply actions
no-hitter
Two words:
by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Dec 22, 2006 12:28 PM CST reply actions
all the "emotion"
by sjcubfan on Dec 22, 2006 2:32 PM CST reply actions
Well...
80s babies
Nick Neuberger
Carlos Hernandez
C.C. Sabathia
Felipe Lopez
Cesar Izturis
A few words on Z
From BCB's #1 Z fan:
Hey!
What I was thinking in reading this bio was how far up the rankings Zambrano could go before his career is done. If he signs a 5-year extension before next season, and then one more deal after that with the Cubs, I believe he could be in the top ten Cubs of all time when he retires. I'm waiting to see who is in that category on Al's list now. But, yes, this means I think Z has a great shot at the Hall of Fame and multiple Cy Young awards.
Closer mentality...
It's none of them.
It's reaction to a negative. When Dempster walks someone, does he come back and get a strikeout/groundout? Or does he walk or give a hit?
The one and only "personality trait" I think you could project to the closer's role, is how a player reacts to a bad pitch/inning/performance.
It's ridiculous to say Zambrano had a closer's mentality because he was intense and emotional. The "closer mentality" is not something that can be detected in Spring Training-not definitively.
I never even saw....
Face of the Team
Chicago Cubs
2007 World Series Champions
Z
Even the Sox announcers this season talked about Zs bat. In fact Hawk was talking about him hitting and wham homerun.
by kerrysotherwife on Dec 23, 2006 1:47 AM CST reply actions
This is about where I thought he'd be
by Scott @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 23, 2006 12:13 PM CST reply actions
As I wrote...
Let's hope so.
Thankful
I think if he remains a Cub, and his arm stays strong...he has a shot at the top 25 all-time Cubs. I just hope they can re-sign him.
These comments are very interesting to read
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 24, 2011 11:22 AM CST reply actions
Aren't they?
Four years later, we have more insights into the man.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
exactly
No offense to your write up. I always enjoy them. To see people thoughts 5 years ago really interesting.
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 24, 2011 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
4 not 5
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 24, 2011 12:04 PM CST up reply actions
No offense taken.
I reopened comments so people could add to them.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think Z is going to have a big year
I’ve always loved Z and probably always will. Yes, his outburst are often unnecessary, but I love the passion he has for the game. He is a true Cub and will hopefully pick up right where he left off at the end of the ’10 campaign.
Plus, I’ll never forget that no-hitter in ’08
Keep that Q Train rollin' in '11. Let's win it for Ronnie.
I totally disagree with you
except on the no hitter.
But I REALLY hope that I am wrong.
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 24, 2011 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me.
(Fool me three times, call me a republican.) sorry, couldn’t resist
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
There's no way Zambrano is ahead of Wood.
I fall in the stats camp, and I know this is ignoring most metrics, but I’d take Wood over Zambrano in a heartbeat. Zambrano’s a headcase and not worth his WAR.
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Jan 24, 2011 11:46 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Z is hands down a better pitcher than Wood....
…and yes, he is a head case. The Cubs have to keep this guy off the mound on Opening Day…too much unneeded pressure for him. Last year’s Opening Day ass-kicking he got set a very bad tone for his entire year. Let him do his own thing…don’t coddle him or baby him, necessarily…but, just leave him alone. If he flips out again, then we’ll know he’s a detriment to the team and needs to go. This has got to be his LAST “last chance”. I hope he’s “lights out”. He’s one of the main factors to this team being anywhere near competitive.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
Most stats are not clear-cut in favor of Carlos.
Wood has a better FIP, has been better in the postseason, has a much better K/9, etc. His WAR isn’t as comparable because he’s been a closer rather than starter. I don’t think Carlos is a clear-cut better pitcher, because baseball doesn’t occur in a vacuum. You want Zambrano starting opening day? The “ace” in a playoff series? I don’t want either of that. And we should have given up on him a long time ago. I don’t know how many more second chances a guy should be allowed.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
No...
I think I stated I didn’t want him on the mound Opening Day. As far as giving up on him goes…well, the Cubs gave up on Wood a few years ago and now have brought him back. Neither pitcher is all that dependable. One has been DL’d an ungodly amount of time and the other is one outburst away from the another stay on the inactive list. I hope they BOTH stay healthy…physically AND emotionally.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
I read your opening day comment.
I was simply extending your point—Zambrano doesn’t have the making of somebody that could do those things.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Oh...I see.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
I REALLY wish
we could take Wood’s head and heart and put it on Z’s body. That would be some pitcher.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
And I'm not particularly a stat guy, as you know.
But Z does rank above Wood, for longevity and performance.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm totally surprised to see you rank a non-team player higher than somebody that evokes so much nostalgia.
Even I would rank Wood over Z.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
But if that is one of your ways to judge
How can a list be made of ones in the past. We have no idea if some of these players from 60 years ago were team players or not.
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 24, 2011 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
I mean, it's an arbitrary list, we can argue this thing forever.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Yeah...it's "Al's list"...
I’m sure we’d all make changes to it. It’s a cool list though. Lots of memories brought back.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
That was part of the fun of doing this...
… discussion of where players rank.
If Z puts his head together and performs, he could wind up as one of the two or three best pitchers in Cubs history.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree on the Z point...big IF though...
I know you did an “age poll” a few months ago, but, I wonder when topics like “Santo’s statue” comes up, just how many here remember him as an amazing player or as an announcer. Point is…guys like you and I, Al, would have quite a few more players we’d have opinions of and add to a list like the one you put together. Most here probably never seen a Ken Holtzman pitch or a Dave Kingman at bat.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
I'd say "many", not "most".
In any case, I tried to look at the whole of Cubs history when putting together this list, not just the heroes of my youth or the players we know today.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't really have an opinion on this re-ranking thing.
But the original list was great fun for learning about players that were before my time, I never saw play, or have never heard of.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I figured after 4 years...
…. it was time to revisit the list.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If Ryan Theriot had the throwing arm of a grown man and could lean he can't pull a pitched baseball he's still be on this team.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 24, 2011 3:09 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I'm with you.
The whole “if he does xyz he’ll be great” argument is silly.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
There are typos in this post.
And a lady in your avatar.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Not Out of the Question for Zambrano
His ERA+ of 127 with the Cubs is better than that of Fergie Jenkins, Charlie Root, and Kerry Wood. Grover Cleveland Alexander and Three Finger Brown had better ERA+’s with the Cubs than Big Z. However, it should be noted that Big Z is going to have a longer career with the Cubs than both Alexander and Brown did.
Among pitchers who will have spent at least 11 seasons with the Cubs, Big Z has really got to be up there.
2011 - The 103rd time is the charm.
I'm not knocking his list, not at all.
I just think Kerry Wood should be higher ranked than Carlos Zambrano, or at least he’s closer than the 16 spots suggested. Just discussing.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I agree with you here.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
GREEN BAY PACKERS, 2010 NFC CHAMPIONS!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jan 24, 2011 8:19 PM CST up reply actions
change your avatar or your fired!
just kidding
"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra
I know there's a lot of people who agree with you on this
But I don’t. I think Z is a team player. To me, there’s a huge difference between uncontrolled competitiveness, i.e intensity and attitude. Look no further than the contrast between he and Bradley, Milton. Everyone of Bradley’s outbursts has been about a sulking adolescent looking for attention. Everyone of Z’s outbursts has been a frustration at his own performance or the teams failure to execute. It’s about winning. Obviously when it gets directed at teammates it rubs people the wrong way, and I’m not suggesting that his outbursts are a good thing, or defensible. I’m simply saying there’s a big, big difference between them.
Al’s point stands: IF he can channel that emotion, he’s gonna have a big year. Let’s freakin’ hope so.
by SouthWabashSoul on Jan 24, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
Being a team player does not include breaking things, getting suspended, getting sent to the minors, etc.
I understand what you’re saying, and yeah, sure, I’d like for him to channel whatever it is you wanna call it, but let’s be honest, we say that every year.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Jan 24, 2011 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Why is Z a "non-team" player?
He has his issues, but over the course of his career he has done a lot more right than wrong with the Cubs. I think you are letting the last 2 years overshadow what Z has done over the course of his entire career. I love Kerry Wood, but I think it is tough to argue that he accomplished more in his time with the Cubs than Z.
Big Z could win a game by himself
It seems like Z was always getting low run support and have to drive in his own run support. Z probably leads with most wins created by a pitchers own run support.
I also like the fact that hes owned the Cardinals with a 12-6 record against them.
I really hope Z gives us the Edge to compete. I think him, Ramirez, and Pena are the key for the Cubs to compete.
I disagree that Z has the characteristics of a closer.
He has trouble settling down in the 1st inning, he walks a ton, and he is very emotional. None of these things lend themselves to the high pressure of being a closer. Not that Z can’t handle the pressure, but he often takes a few innings to level off, and is obviously prone to meltdowns. Z is a very good starting pitcher, he has a lot of value by providing a lot of quality innings. That is why it was so moronic to make him a reliever, they minimized the use of his strength. I don’t understand why anyone would consider Z a good candidate for closer. I don’t buy his resurgence, he had a good stretch at the end of the season, no more, no less. He will continue to be what he has been; a very good pitcher, who has the talent to be more, but doesn’t have it upstairs to take the next step.
Ten years ago, none of that was known to us.
But that’s how I saw him in spring training in 2001.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think Z will end up being one of the top 5 pitchers in Cubs history
Get ready for a big year
does this
ranking consider his ‘08 no-no? I don’t see any mention of it in the post update.
Well, you're right.
I did forget to mention that. Probably should have. I might edit it again.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Funny to see all the love for Z in the comments. Last year after his meltdown, the tune was kinda different… Now everybody seems to be sure he’ ll be a Cy Young winner soon.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of Z and his lack of discipline. He has tremendous talent, but he is still in danger of letting it all got waste when he lets his temper gets the best of him.
Last year, he came within an inch of the end of his career.
Let’s hope he will continue to be the guy we saw in late 2010, but I’m not sold on it yet.
by DamageControlFreak on Jan 25, 2011 1:01 AM CST reply actions
Each of the last couple years many hope this is the year he changes
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 25, 2011 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
I still remember seeing Carlos standing unnoticed in the corner of a Holiday Inn conference room
with other Latin players when the Lansing Lugnuts team was introduced to the local media and fans back in 1999. He was just a big, shy, goofy kid about to embark on his first full year of professional baseball.
Not a Gatorade cooler in sight.
The player garnering the most attention that day was the Cubs ‘phenom’, Corey Patterson.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Hes a BAMF
Big Z should have been in the top 10 just for beatin the crap out of Micheal Barrett (the only woman to play catcher in the MLB)
by IWannaPunchSteveBartmanSoBAD on Jan 25, 2011 7:18 PM CST reply actions
I really don't care for...
… comments like this one. You owe our female readers an apology.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Hopefully it's his first and last comment :)
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jan 26, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
big z
after kerry wood my favorite cub. we need a big season from z in 2011. if the players play up to their potential this should be an interesting season.

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