Why is Carlos Zambrano in the batter's box on days when he does not take the mound?
I understand that the Cubs are hot right now, 7-1 on the current homestand, and they are winning games and winning them big. I also know that Carlos loves to get in there and take his hacks, and Lou is probably just trying to help keep him happy. But doesn't it strike anyone as dangerous that he is going into the batter's box on days when he doesn't pitch?
After all, Carlos is one of the top 10, if not top five, pitchers in the league right now. He is far and away the ace of this Cubs' staff. Also with the big money extension that they just sunk into him, he appears to be the ace of this staff for years to come.
So I'll ask it again. Why is he in the batter's box in the sixth inning of a game when you are up 7-1 and you have plenty of position players sitting on the bench?
There is no reason to put him out there. He is too valuable to this club to be put in a position where an errant pitch comes inside and hits his arm. Perhaps he fouls a ball of his foot, or maybe pulls a hamstring running down to first.
I concede that Carlos probably wants to be in there, because we all know that he loves to participate in the offensive side of the game. But Lou has to be able to stand up to him and let Carlos know that just can't happen.
Thank the baseball gods that nothing happened to him today, but if they keep doing this in the future, the odds will greatly increase that something will. So I am begging Lou and Carlos please keep him out of the box unless he is pitching that day. I'd hate for something to happen and give us Cubs fan another reason to believe that the curse on our beloved team is real.
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2 months ago
I didn't understand having him hit either. Big Z is on such a hot streak right now and if he suffered an injury because of pinch hitting, I the Cubs fans might explode. Nice job on shedding some light on an issue that went unnoticed this afternoon
2 months ago
Excellent point, Kevin. In all the winning, I think Lou is getting giddy. Big Z is too valuable to run out there unless he is absolutely needed. Heck, if you need a pinch-hitter and want to use a pitcher, Marquis is pretty good. And we won't mind as much if he gets hurt.
from 2 months ago
Marquis getting hurt, mind as much, hell we could only be so lucky. Horrible excuse of an athlete. Lets hope Gallagher stays on track and Hill finds his way back to the rotation. Then we can drop this bum in the pen or trade him. Big Z getting hurt because of reckless pinch hitting, sounds more like a Dusty Baker move.
RLTW
2 months ago
I'm glad you guys noticed this too. I actually had a conversation at work today about this and he said losing Marquis would be just as bad, since right now we have no fifth starter. I just about threw a fit, Big Z is the heart and soul and if people can't see that, they're blind. He has to be healthy and putting him at the plate isn't they way to keep him that way.
2 months ago
Lets look back on major league history, in 1919 Babe Ruth in his final year of pitching appeared in 17 games as a pitcher and 113 as an outfielder. Ruth had been increasingly playing more in the field each year from 1914 to 1919. He was one of the dominant pitchers of his generation at the time so I feel the comparasion is warranted. Z will never be another Ruth in hitting but Ruth was one of the best pitchers of his generation and his bat was good enough to send him to I dont know COOPERSTOWN. I am much more concerned with Zambrano breaking bats over his knee than him getting hurt pinch hitting. In case you havent noticed, the man can hit. .343 average after his last game going 4 for 5 with 2 RBI in that one. Thats a good hitting line for any player let alone a pitcher in this day and age. Bob Melvin uses Micah Owings for the same reasons.
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