The contradiction that is Carlos Zambrano

picture from the Chicago Tribune.

I really wanted to come on here and rip Carlos Zambrano, his meltdowns/psychotic episodes on the field, the Cubs, the contract he signed, etc... But that would be waaaaay too easy. This afternoon at Wrigley Field he got what he deserved as he left the field. The chorus of boos from the faithful was a real contrast to the standing ovations he was receiving regularly in June and July. Z didn't like the faithful's response:

"I don't accept the fans were booing me," Zambrano said. "I don't understand that. I think these are great fans of baseball, but they showed me today they just care about them. That's not fair.

"When you're struggling, that's when you want to feel support from the fans," Zambrano said. "I don't accept it. I just pointed to my head because I will remember it. The great moments of my career will come."

LMAO. Another priceless episode of 'when athletes speak'. Anyways, my advice for Carlos would be to shut his fucking yap. I'm sure he's not interested in that. But he deserved to be booed off the field today. His reckless play on the bases not only cost the Cubs a potential big inning but it may have cost them the game, as he never recovered from his 'mad dash around the bases' when he returned to the mound. It was just another down in a roller coaster season for Z.

The Cub manager, who is now playing therapist to his pysch case, walked on eggshells as he addressed Z's issues:

"His stuff was plenty good today," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "I think he's letting things bother him when things aren't going right.

"I think he's fighting himself a little bit and probably trying to overdo, like rounding third with no outs and running through a stop sign," Piniella said. "I contend he's going to get his stuff together and go on a nice streak here for us at the end of the year."

I'm going to excuse Uncle Lou. He's gotta hold his temper when it comes to Z. As hard as that may be. Z is just too important to this team.

Last fall and winter Bear fans were subject to "good Rex"/"bad Rex" every Sunday. It has reached that point with the Cubs "so-called ace". If "good Z" shows up things are fine, if "bad Z" comes to the dance forget about it. For the last month we have had nothing but "bad Z". Since his last win on July 29th "bad Z" is 0-5 with an 8.29 ERA. Yeah, whatever hopes he had for the Cy Young were lost in August. Now with the NL Central title on the line how much rope will Uncle Lou give Z?

Z's struggles early this season were well documented. They came to a head that first Friday in July June when he came to blows with Michael Barrett. At that point Z proclaimed that he was starting his season over. He did that very well. His season took off. But the last month his new season has went off the tracks.

"Bad Z's" latest episode came this afternoon, in the bottom of the third when Z led off the inning with a single. When Fonzie hit a double Z ran threw third base coach Mike Quade's stop sign and was easily thrown out at the plate. In the top of the fourth Z imploded on the mound he couldn't find the plate to save his life. He walked three and allowed two hits as the Dodgers put up a 3 spot to take a 4-2 lead. The top of the fifth was even worse for Z. His line for the day was 4.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R. 8 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO, he threw 96 pitches and only 52 were strikes.

I'd love to tell you guys that the Cubs don't need "good Carlos" to win the division, but I don't believe that. I would love to rant and rave about the Cubs need to get rid of the big idiot. The reality is he is way to valuable to this club. They are gonna sink or swim with Carlos. If Z continues his current crappiness through September the only thing that will keep the Cubs in the lead is poor play from Milwaukee and St. Louis and good starts from Lilly, Marquis, Trachs, and Hill. The Cubs find themselves in the sad situation of heading down the stretch with a very questionable number one starter.

On the other hand Z has always been a contadiction. As hard as it is for me to believe, he could easily put all of his struggles aside and go on to carry this team to the NL Central crown and more. One thing, that I am very confident in is the importance of Z to the Cubs chances this October. If they make the playoffs, Z and another starter could put this team on their back and take them far. If the Cubs get what they got today this will be another season of futility.