MLB Chicago Cubs: Carlos Zambrano Loses His Mind

I saw a lot of players throw hissy fits back when I was in Little League. It was usually the coaches son who was used to getting everything he wanted, and when something didn’t go his way on the field, they would throw a temper tantrum. I think we have all played with a kid like that before.

However, I don’t think any of us have ever played with a player who threw a hissy fit quite like Carlos Zambrano did on Friday. Zambrano completely lost his mind after the bottom of the first inning against the Chicago White Sox.

After giving up four runs in the first inning, Zambrano came back to the dugout and started screaming uncontrollably. The brunt of his anger was directed at first baseman Derek Lee. I am assuming Zambrano was angry at Lee for not diving on Juan Pierre’s double down the first base line.

I have watched the replay of Pierre’s double numerous times since Friday, and there was no way Lee could have gotten to that ball, even if he dove for it. He had to play in to protect against the bunt, and Pierre hit the ball extremely hard down the line.

I guess he was upset at Lee too when he didn’t catch Carlos Quentin’s shot into the left field stands to make it 4-0. Zambrano didn’t return for the second inning and eventually was suspended indefinitely by the Cubs.

The bottom line for me is, despite having $44 million left on his contract, Zambrano should never be allowed to pitch in a Cubs’ uniform ever again. When are the Cubs doing to realize that they can’t win with players like Zambrano?

Just like Milton Bradley, Zambrano is a bad teammate. Putting Zambrano in the bullpen (which the Cubs have decided to do) doesn’t solve the issue of him being a disrespectful, awful teammate. It’s like being punished, but being allowed to hang out with your friends.

No matter what Zambrano does out of the pen, he is not going to give the Cubs $18 million per year worth of production, so what is the point of keeping him around?

What solves the issue is releasing him.

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