One way or another, Carlos Zambrano has thrown his final pitch as a Chicago Cub. After giving up eight runs on five homers in four innings and change, he threw at Chipper Jones and was ejected. The Braves got pissed and came out of the dugout, but Z was already off the field. After the game, he cleaned out his locker and told various people that he is considering retirement. As of now, no one knows his whereabouts.
Even if Z changes his mind the Cubs could probably suspend him indefinitely. He might just retire, but he has $18+ million reasons not to. I’m guessing he and his agent work out some sort of settlement.
Honestly, I don’t even know what to say. Z is still my favorite Cub after Sosa and both of them are going out on a brown note.
[quote name=Paul sackville-Baggins]Jim Hendry on Z’s retirement: “We will respect his wishes and honor them and move forward.”[/quote].
[quote name=Berselius].[/quote]This is starting to sound real. Hendry usually isn’t this quick to respond so directly.
[quote name=Jdo45]I’ve defended Zambrano for years, but how can you say he’s being run out of town? That’s such a cop out[/quote]
I guess it depends on which side you’re on…either Z ran himself out of town, or the media and the Cubs are going to do it for him. Anyways, he gone. Sad.
The Cubs would love for him to up and retire. It’s the best solution for them. I think we see a settlement, since they can suspend Z indefinitely. I don’t think they can do it without pay indefinitely though.
Another aspect of this tragedy: it means we’re going to have to put up with another replacement starter (Ramon Ortiz?) for the rest of the season. Ugh.
Jim Hendry released a bizarre statement on how the Cubs will honor his wishes and move forward. I was expecting something a little different.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I guess it depends on which side you’re on…either Z ran himself out of town, or the media and the Cubs are going to do it for him. Anyways, he gone. Sad.[/quote]
Z ran himself out of town, but the media/cubs bought him the shoes
[quote name=ACT]Another aspect of this tragedy: it means we’re going to have to put up with another replacement starter (Ramon Ortiz?) for the rest of the season. Ugh.[/quote]
Sweet, the #2 pick might still be within reach!
[quote name=Berselius]Z ran himself out of town, but the media/cubs bought him the shoes[/quote]
You could say that the media/Cubs were the catalyst that finally got Z to run himself out of town.
[quote name=Berselius]The Cubs would love for him to up and retire. It’s the best solution for them. I think we see a settlement, since they can suspend Z indefinitely. I don’t think they can do it without pay indefinitely though.[/quote]definitely is best case scenario. Free’s up a lot of money for next year. At least this team is interesting.
fuck man this sucks. I really hate chicago sports media. Not that this happened because of media today, but a culmination of things that have happened over the years
The media were really harsh on Z this year, but Quade generally had his back, at least.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I guess it depends on which side you’re on…either Z ran himself out of town, or the media and the Cubs are going to do it for him. Anyways, he gone. Sad.[/quote]
I can’t defend him on this. He was way out of line in acting like a child and trying to bean players for his poor pitching. And him walking out just makes it worse.
[quote name=Jdo45]Jim Hendry released a bizarre statement on how the Cubs will honor his wishes and move forward. I was expecting something a little different.[/quote]Sully thinks he’s calling Z’s bluff. I’m guessing nobody with the Cubs has spoken to him and knows what’s really going on.
[quote name=JMan]definitely is best case scenario. Free’s up a lot of money for next year. At least this team is interesting.[/quote]Yeah, I like Z, but he’s not worth what he’s getting paid anymore.
[quote name=JMan]Sully thinks he’s calling Z’s bluff. I’m guessing nobody with the Cubs has spoken to him and knows what’s really going on.[/quote]
agreed
The new media narrative is clearly going to be that the Cubs need to clean house and get rid of Ramirez and Soriano. Which they were probably going to do anyway
[quote name=Berselius]The new media narrative is clearly going to be that the Cubs need to clean house and get rid of Ramirez and Soriano. Which they were probably going to do anyway[/quote]
Wow, the Cubs are going to be the whitest team in the NL after this cleanup.
[quote name=JMan]This is starting to sound real. Hendry usually isn’t this quick to respond so directly.[/quote]
That statement is complete wishful thinking by Hendry that he will be off the hook for that contract. I think this was Z being pissed Quade hung him out to dry and he left. Probably better than sticking around and getting in a screaming match with the manager. I don’t think Z Is retiring. I’d also be a little surprised if they gave him the MB rest of the season suspension this early. Everybody is hyped up right now but what actually happened wasn’t exactly the worst thing he’s ever done.
[quote name=melissa]That statement is complete wishful thinking by Hendry that he will be off the hook for that contract. I think this was Z being pissed Quade hung him out to dry and he left. Probably better than sticking around and getting in a screaming match with the manager. I don’t think Z Is retiring. I’d also be a little surprised if they gave him the MB rest of the season suspension this early. Everybody is hyped up right now but what actually happened wasn’t exactly the worst thing he’s ever done.[/quote]
It’s not the worst thing he’s ever done, but history matters. He’s already been suspended for essentially a month last year
It’d be mildly amusing if they gave him the bullpen test again.
Damn, I was so hoping for Zambrano to end his tenure with the Cubs on a good note.
First Sammy, then Zambrano. My next fav player is Ramirez, so I hope he leaves before everyone begins to focus on how he’s lazy and doesn’t motivate the younger pla………Ahhhhh Shit!
[quote name=Berselius]It’s not the worst thing he’s ever done, but history matters. He’s already been suspended for essentially a month last year[/quote]
Yeah, for fighting with a teammate. He didn’t fight with anyone, he walked away. Was it a big deal when Sammy left early? To me, no, but we know the team blew it up to be the worst thing every done. I just don’t see grounds for indefinite suspension for this offense.
[quote name=melissa]That statement is complete wishful thinking by Hendry that he will be off the hook for that contract. I think this was Z being pissed Quade hung him out to dry and he left. Probably better than sticking around and getting in a screaming match with the manager. I don’t think Z Is retiring. I’d also be a little surprised if they gave him the MB rest of the season suspension this early. Everybody is hyped up right now but what actually happened wasn’t exactly the worst thing he’s ever done.[/quote]B’s right…there is too much history here to just pass it off as needing a cool down period. I really don’t think he pitches again this year. He’s also NEVER cleaned everything out and left. He’s emotional but not stupid. Still, something else happened to trigger this other than not wanting to get in a screaming match with his manager. I don’t know that he’s that controlled.
New Zambrano-related shit up: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/thus-endeth-carlos-zambranos-cubs-career.html
The video again, for anyone interested:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17943115
Z seemed calm. So I’m postulating that at some point, someone in the tunnel to the clubhouse told him something and he subsequently went into “fuck you guys, I’m going home” mode.
[quote name=melissa]That statement is complete wishful thinking by Hendry that he will be off the hook for that contract. I think this was Z being pissed Quade hung him out to dry and he left. Probably better than sticking around and getting in a screaming match with the manager. I don’t think Z Is retiring. I’d also be a little surprised if they gave him the MB rest of the season suspension this early. Everybody is hyped up right now but what actually happened wasn’t exactly the worst thing he’s ever done.[/quote]
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Quade hung Zambrano out there to be embarrassed. Its the second time Quade has done this. It’s petty and demeaning, but Quade has proven he’s a small man who’s in over his head and Hendry has proven he likes to sign mental cases to expensive, long-term contracts.
They all need to go. Hendry, Quade and Z.