Carlos Zambrano has signed a five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, with an option for a sixth year.
If you wish to compare your salary with Zambrano’s, note that he will receive a total of $91.5 million for the next five years.
Carlos could have gotten more from a different club, but he wants to stay in Chicago. I want to stay in Chicago, too, but I don’t have enough money to live in the same neighborhood with Zambrano.
Showing posts with label Carlos Zambrano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlos Zambrano. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Big Z Tackles Mets
Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs are ready to destroy the worthless Mets in the first game of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
The game, which starts at 1:20, is sold out.
Zambrano has a record of 14-7, has struck out 128 batters, and has an ERA of 3.47.
Since June 6, when Zambrano said he was starting his personal season over, he is 9-2 with an ERA of 1.41 and 77 strikeouts.
The Cubs and the Brewers are tied for the lead in the Central Division.
The Mets have a secure hold on first place in the Eastern Division, but that doesn't scare Carlos Zambrano.
The game, which starts at 1:20, is sold out.
Zambrano has a record of 14-7, has struck out 128 batters, and has an ERA of 3.47.
Since June 6, when Zambrano said he was starting his personal season over, he is 9-2 with an ERA of 1.41 and 77 strikeouts.
The Cubs and the Brewers are tied for the lead in the Central Division.
The Mets have a secure hold on first place in the Eastern Division, but that doesn't scare Carlos Zambrano.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Big Z
While I'm effusing about baseball excitement, I should say that Carlos Zambrano got the blood up Friday with his twelve strikeouts. The White Sox looked like the often-mentioned rusty gates.
I regret that Mike Barrett wasn't there to congratulate the big right-hander, but he probably read about the game. Rob Bowen was present, and he appeared to enjoy his job, as the strikes smacked repeatedly into his mitt.
Good job Rob. Nice to have you around.
I regret that Mike Barrett wasn't there to congratulate the big right-hander, but he probably read about the game. Rob Bowen was present, and he appeared to enjoy his job, as the strikes smacked repeatedly into his mitt.
Good job Rob. Nice to have you around.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Where's Barrett?
Koyie Hill, not Michael Barrett, will catch Carlos Zambrano in Monday night's game against the Astros, and everyone who works for the Cubs is pretending that this arrangement has nothing to do with the recent Rumble at Wrigley.
The reader may recall that the main event on that occasion took place in the Cubs dugout as thousands of adoring fans watched Zambrano try to knock Barrett's head off.
Barrett's first mistake in that bout occurred when he forgot to leave his face mask on. His second mistake happened when he followed Zambrano into the clubhouse for a heart-to-heart talk.
Lou Piniella says Hill will catch because sometimes a pitcher may "feel more comfortable" with this or that catcher. If I were a catcher, I'd feel more comfortable if my pitcher didn't try to knock my brains out. I don't have much in the way of brains to start with.
Hill says he will pitch instead of Barrett because the poor guy "can't catch every game."
Yogi Barra caught every game. So did Roy Campanella.
I hope Hill doesn't allow any passed balls. If he does, I hope he leaves his face mask on.
The reader may recall that the main event on that occasion took place in the Cubs dugout as thousands of adoring fans watched Zambrano try to knock Barrett's head off.
Barrett's first mistake in that bout occurred when he forgot to leave his face mask on. His second mistake happened when he followed Zambrano into the clubhouse for a heart-to-heart talk.
Lou Piniella says Hill will catch because sometimes a pitcher may "feel more comfortable" with this or that catcher. If I were a catcher, I'd feel more comfortable if my pitcher didn't try to knock my brains out. I don't have much in the way of brains to start with.
Hill says he will pitch instead of Barrett because the poor guy "can't catch every game."
Yogi Barra caught every game. So did Roy Campanella.
I hope Hill doesn't allow any passed balls. If he does, I hope he leaves his face mask on.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Zambrano's Performance
Carlos Zambrano looked good during yesterday's game with the Dodgers. I especially liked the way he got upset with himself after serving up a home run pitch to Wilson Betemit in the seventh inning. He gave a good performance.
That's what I like about the Cubs. Good theater. The tradition goes back for decades.
But good theater doesn't lead to a winning season. I predict that the Cubs will finish dead last in the Central Division.
You heard it here last. I merely follow the crowd.
That's what I like about the Cubs. Good theater. The tradition goes back for decades.
But good theater doesn't lead to a winning season. I predict that the Cubs will finish dead last in the Central Division.
You heard it here last. I merely follow the crowd.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Cubs Need More Rain
Rain delayed the start of the Cubs-Mets game Wednesday night at Shea Stadium.
For the Cubs, it would have been better if the rain hadn't stopped.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella sought an explanation for the Cubbies 8-1 loss and found it in the pitching of Rich Hill.
Having solved Carlos Zambrano's pitching troubles (the now-famous early revelation problem), Piniella must next solve Hill's troubles. If Piniella fails, Hill may get rained out permanently.
Hill's problems lie in the fact that he's walking batters and then letting them steal on him. These troubles may be more difficult to solve than Zambrano's early revelations.
It's now 3:25 PM, Thursday, in Chicago, and the Cubs just lost to the Mets by one run.
Bring on the rain.
For the Cubs, it would have been better if the rain hadn't stopped.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella sought an explanation for the Cubbies 8-1 loss and found it in the pitching of Rich Hill.
Having solved Carlos Zambrano's pitching troubles (the now-famous early revelation problem), Piniella must next solve Hill's troubles. If Piniella fails, Hill may get rained out permanently.
Hill's problems lie in the fact that he's walking batters and then letting them steal on him. These troubles may be more difficult to solve than Zambrano's early revelations.
It's now 3:25 PM, Thursday, in Chicago, and the Cubs just lost to the Mets by one run.
Bring on the rain.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Guarded Optimism for Cubs
After the Cubs 10-1 victory over the Mets last night, we've adopted a policy of guarded optimism. Zambrano looked good over the course of eight innings, giving up only one run, allowing six hits, and striking out three.
Zambrano did all this while changing his delivery. He had been delivering in a way that allowed opposing batters to see his grip on the ball, thereby knowing what the pitch would be. Knowing the pitch in advance allows a hitter to quickly raise his batting average, and most pitching coaches deplore the practise of early revelation.
Aramis Ramirez led the offensive frenzy for the Cubs, hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning.
As a result of these heroics, we are now guardedly optimistic about the Cubs, which means we think the North Side boys will not finish last in the Central Division.
We wouldn't want to say more than that. If we did say more than that, the Cubs would be sure to finish last in their division. We dare not mess with this superstition.
Zambrano did all this while changing his delivery. He had been delivering in a way that allowed opposing batters to see his grip on the ball, thereby knowing what the pitch would be. Knowing the pitch in advance allows a hitter to quickly raise his batting average, and most pitching coaches deplore the practise of early revelation.
Aramis Ramirez led the offensive frenzy for the Cubs, hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning.
As a result of these heroics, we are now guardedly optimistic about the Cubs, which means we think the North Side boys will not finish last in the Central Division.
We wouldn't want to say more than that. If we did say more than that, the Cubs would be sure to finish last in their division. We dare not mess with this superstition.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Good News from Rothschild and Piniella
The Cubs lost to Philadelphia on Saturday, May 12, 2007. This was the third defeat in what figures to be a long losing streak.
Before we all meet at the corner of Clark and Addison to share a tub of rat poison, Larry Rothschild, pitching coach, and Lou Piniella, manager, want to give us some good news.
Carlos Zambrano’s right arm didn’t really fall off.
It seems that Zambrano had some trouble with his “mechanics.” Before each pitch, the ace right-hander grasped the ball appropriately for the pitch requested by catcher Barrett or catcher Blanco, depending on which one came to the game.
Then Zambrano held the ball high above his head before going into his windup.
This allowed opposing batters to see what pitch to expect, which gave them a better chance of getting a hit, provided they knew how pitchers hold the ball for each kind of pitch, i.e., fast ball, curve ball, slider, stripper, etc.
Both Rothschild and Piniella told Zambrano not to hold the ball high over his head before going into his windup, although they didn’t say where they did tell him to hold it.
Just to be on the safe side, Piniella also told both catchers not to write the kinds of pitches on a chalk board and hold it up for Zambrano to read.
Bring your own spoons to Clark and Addison. I can’t do everything for you.
Before we all meet at the corner of Clark and Addison to share a tub of rat poison, Larry Rothschild, pitching coach, and Lou Piniella, manager, want to give us some good news.
Carlos Zambrano’s right arm didn’t really fall off.
It seems that Zambrano had some trouble with his “mechanics.” Before each pitch, the ace right-hander grasped the ball appropriately for the pitch requested by catcher Barrett or catcher Blanco, depending on which one came to the game.
Then Zambrano held the ball high above his head before going into his windup.
This allowed opposing batters to see what pitch to expect, which gave them a better chance of getting a hit, provided they knew how pitchers hold the ball for each kind of pitch, i.e., fast ball, curve ball, slider, stripper, etc.
Both Rothschild and Piniella told Zambrano not to hold the ball high over his head before going into his windup, although they didn’t say where they did tell him to hold it.
Just to be on the safe side, Piniella also told both catchers not to write the kinds of pitches on a chalk board and hold it up for Zambrano to read.
Bring your own spoons to Clark and Addison. I can’t do everything for you.
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