As I've posted elsewhere, Z is never going to be the stopper, the consistent go-to guy, the "ace" of a staff. He is far too fragile-minded and emotional for that. His comments are an affront to fans and his team. He is pathetic. Good riddance.

Maybe paying professional athletes assloads of money really isn't a good thing after all, because would you give a 10-year old $90mil? What a mistake.

Please think during games.

1. Twice in Z's last 2 game the opposing pitcher has hurt him at the plate.
2. You learn in Little Leauge to pick up the 3rd base coach

3) I still go back to Soriano in the Mets Sunday night game trying to get to third base on a single hit in front of him.

Got to live their energy but we need these guys thinking as well.

Keep the faith !!!

Just about everything he did the whole game cost us the game.  Baserunning, reaching his hand out and losing his composure.  

Lastly, trade him? No unless the right deal came, but it wont.

When Lee said he didn't like booing he was expressing a common thought that the fans are their to serve the players, there is reciprocity or two-way street, meaning poor performance might have a counter move. Yet since a player must put his (or her) heart and soul into a game, meaning their personality et cetera when they are boo'd they also will receive it personally as they also receive accolates personally.

Fans on the other hand are fanatics, they are there to see performances, results, and cheer along the way.

Zambrano is caught in his own quindry and only performance, at a level expected of him can overcome his dilemna. He is the quintessential Latin proud man, emotional and even impulsive, talented beyond many, yet fragile since his emotions are also his leveling agent. I am not condoning his statements or behavior in anyway, in fact they were as stupid as his blowing through a stop sign in the 3rd inning.

After signing the contract he is now going to think that he gave Chicago a $20-$30M discount, maybe yes or maybe no. Question what would have been his FA value based on performance over August and September to date....probably less than his agent is willing to admit.

This is now the time for Piniella, Hendry, Rothschild and Trammel to put Zambrano back together again. They will have to cuddle him at the same time tough love him, they will have to get him to focus on the moment instead of the anticipation or implications, they will have to rebuild his psyche. Fortunately for Z and the Cubs they will be on the road for his next two starts, ( Sat in Pittsburgh & Thurs in Houston) where the return to Wrigley won't be until Tues against Cincinnati, before again Z will pitch on the road in Florida and possibly the final game of the series in Cincinnati. Furthermore if the Cubs make the playoffs Z will probably start on the road against the WD winners of SD or AZ.

By that time I am expecting him to have pitched 4 quality starts.

Z is the proverbial headcase. He is Farnsworth in lion's clothing.

You only call us out when we do it to you, but you dont stand up for your teammates when it happens to them?  To me that is "just caring about you".

Despite this bru-ha-ha, I'm still convinced that this team can sneak into the playoffs, it will all blow over in the end, and we will all be loving the guy and his emotional proclivities to death.

But some people are freaking out. Trade him?! Are you kidding? Remember, he's only 26--the emotional maturity is probably the last thing to come. Didn't you do stupid things at 26? I know I did.

But someone who said that no GM would touch him in a trade?! Give me a break. Opposing teams would line up to work it out. He's supremely talented, and he will figure out how to harness those emotions at some point. I'm not giving him a free pass on yesterday's events. Just calling for a little perspective. Come on, people. It's one game--we have a month left, and we're holding first place in our hands!

He has been around the last few years when I thought there was some unjustifiable booing of other players, yet Z has always mentioned his love of the fans.  Yet when it turns (justifiably IMHO) against him, it's the fans who are wrong?

Hopefully 24 hours will help cool the situation, but  with Z one never knows.

With the exception of his 2-month run, which was excellent to be sure, Z has been the weak link in our rotation. Just look at the numbers.

1. A win
   
2. Trachsel to get me home before 11
   
3. Marmol blowing away 3 straight hitters.

if he goes out and pitches well next home start the fans will be back in their corner.  The fans were more pissed in the fact that the game got away so easily and no one could catch up to stop the dominoes from falling all over the floor.

The game had the feeling of being over before it was over and that most be frustrated to fans.  I didnt boo and usually dont because I like to take in the fan reaction but if he would just grow up a little.  Every strikeout isnt game 7 etc.

I specifically remember losing it completely in the right field bleachers at the end of the 2004 season.  The Cubs were blowing it bad as we all know and there was a pivitol bunt that C.Patt couldnt get down.  Regardless, I screamed at Corey the whole get about getting a bunt down etc.  

Fairweather fans...especially with the Cubs, if the Cubs were to win the whole country would be Cub fans, except for the haters.

That being said when the booing started there were many in attendance that stood and cheered.
I don't condone the booing, but understand it. Just as I understand Z's comments after.

Anyway, hopefully Steve can right the ship tonight,(Can't believe I had to write that sentence.) and we can put yesterday behind us.
At least the Brewers and Cards lost too...

I also gave him the benefit of the doubt when he punched his own catcher in the dugout, and then later beat the sh*t out of him in the clubhouse.

I also gave him the benefit of the doubt when he pitched poorly this year--people were saying he was emotionally down because he hadn't been signed to a contract yet.

He's got his contract now, he's got his money now, his former catcher was traded away, and his team is in first place.

But running through a 3rd base coach, not covering home and having a sissy-fit, and then dissing the fans is pretty indicative that Z better grow up quickly....

With behavior like that, even if he were 20-0 now, he wouldn't get enough votes for a Cy Young.

Your line gave me a good laugh out of a tough day.  

I await the apology from the Z-man.  I hope he grows up a lot in the next 4 days.  We need him to stay within himself when he is on the field for the remainder of the season!

Great reference and it is burned in my memory, phantom call if I ever saw one.

I like his fire. He is a man who wants to make the big plays. This is the type of guy who you want at the front of your team. It simply just didn't work for him yesterday.

Come on, boss .. this just ain't right. This isn't an issue of you being our little brother and we're kicking you when you are down - it's that you aren't doing what we KNOW you can do and haven't been doing it for far too long. DEAL WITH IT.

You have the support of the greatest fan base in the world, the Cubs Nation and you are dissing those who vocally made their displeasure with your subpar performance made known .. what is that about? I thought when you walked off the field pointing to your head and tapping your ears that your gesture was body language saying "I hear you" and that you understood that there were a lot of your fans letting you know they were highly disappointed and upset. Heck, that's what I thought .. and I hoped you be taking that for the criticism that it is for not playing to the dazzling level you are capable of.

Apparently you rethought that after you walked into that locker room and proceeded to rip us saying we were only into ourselves.

Z, grow up. Now. Spare us the drama.

The Cubs Nation has always been behind you. We are now. Let's get that silly expression of frustration in perspective, Ok? Just dispense with the whining, focus and get out there on your next turn and pitch in a Third New Season, ok?