Mike Maddux talks about Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano is currently in Venezuela, working on his form in the winter league with the Venezuelan club, Carbies. With a disappointing season under his belt, the prospect of Zambrano working under Mike Maddux has heated debate in the baseball circles.
The Texas Rangers pitching coach is currently locked in a bid to win the managerial position of the Chicago Cubs and he talked about the pitcher on Wednesday, November 9, at the Wrigley Field.
Maddux has guided the Rangers’ pitchers to their second successive stint in the World Series in two straight years and that has many wondering what he could do for the Cubs pitching woes. Zambrano is one man many would want to see how Maddux would handle.
The Venezuelan native was disappointing this season, starting 24 games for the club, winning nine and losing seven. The hurler was suspended on August 12 when he pitched two inside balls to Atlanta Braves hitter Chipper Jones. He emptied his locker at the
time and declared he was thinking of retiring. He gave up five homers in the encounter.
When Maddux was asked on how he would handle the player, he answered jokingly.
"I don't know him," Maddux said. "The first thing you have to do is meet him. I heard he was a big teddy bear. I might pick him up and just burp him."
He then went on to explain his stance, seriously.
"I saw Carlos Zambrano from across the field seven, eight years ago and he was the best thing since sliced bread," Maddux said. "He beat you on the mound, he beat you at the plate, he beat you in the field. He would even steal bases. He was a great competitor.
He was the best pitcher in the National League. That's what I have in my mind about him. I've seen him dominate."
Zambrano has been with the Cubs since 2001 and his lack of composure in the past has brought a lot of uncertainty to the pitching rotation. With Theo Epstein being the President of Baseball Operations in the Cubs’ organization, getting the hurler in line
with the club’s goal is an important task. That could be something Maddux can help do.
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