The Chicago Cubs are familiar with Carlos Zambrano’s antics. He’s gotten ejected numerous times for arguing with umpires. He’s had brush-ins with opposing players like Jim Edmonds. He’s had dugout altercations with teammates Michael Barrett and Derrek Lee. And he’s even taken a bat to a Gatorade cooler. But Zambrano topped himself Friday. After allowing five home runs, he was ejected for throwing at Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Then, the Cubs righty cleaned out his locker and told clubhouse employees he was retiring.
He quickly revoked his statement about hanging it up, but the Cubs announced Saturday that the 30-year-old was placed on the disqualified list and will go 30 days without pay.
It seems the Cubs may finally be done dealing with all the drama.
Chicago put up with these outbursts in the past because Zambrano was a top-of-rotation pitcher. He’s made three All-Star teams and has 125 wins and a 3.60 ERA in his 11-year career with the Cubs.
But he’s no longer worth the headache. Zambrano is 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA this season. After pitching more than 200 innings five straight times, he hasn’t reached that mark the past four seasons — missing starts due to injuries and suspensions.
And if the Cubs are done dealing with Zambrano, will any team be willing to pick up the hotheaded hurler?
– Jeffrey Tomik
