The Volatile Carlos Zambrano
Control has never quite been the specialty of Carlos Zambrano. Twice he has had more than 100 walks in a season; twice he has had more than 200 strikeouts in a season. He’s been a workhorse in the past going more than 200 innings in 5 of his 10 seasons. His career ERA is a respectable 3.58 with his lowest as a starter in 2004 at 2.75 and highest in a complete season in 2007 at 3.95.
As many strikeouts as he gets you would think he would not be very hittable, but that is not the case at all. Since 2003, he has had at least 155 hits (which came in 2009) with a career high 188 allowed in 2003.
With Zambrano you really do get a pitcher that can both take over the game and shut the opponent down, or one that can keep the opponent in the game as well. His pitching is not the only thing that can be a little on the volatile side though. Sometimes his temperament can cause problems not related to pitching.
Temper tantrum June 25th, 2010
In the first inning of the Cubs game against their crow town rival, the White Sox, Zambrano’s volatility reared its ugly head in the dugout during the first inning.
After the end of the first which saw Zambrano give up 4 runs off of 4 hits, he seemed to take issue with what he deemed lackluster play on the part of first baseman Derek Lee. Upon entering the dugout he began screaming at Lee. After Lee made some comments in return Zambrano stormed after him until Piniella and the team’s bench coach and pitching coaches intervened. Zambrano did not relent until Geovany Soto pulled him away.
Once the tantrum was done Zambrano was ordered out of the dugout. He appeared to have some comments for manager Lou Piniella as well before finally leaving. He was suspended the next day and has since been placed on the restricted list while he seeks treatment for anger management.
A history of anger issues
The tantrum was not the first in a long line of incidents that has peppered Zambrano’s career.
In 2002 he was a part of a bench clearing brawl in a minor league game. The 20 year old Zambrano received a five game suspension for his part in the brawl. A couple seasons later in 2004 he threw his cap on the field after he believed that Todd Walker had a mental lapse that led to two runs being scored and Zambrano getting pulled from the game. Later that season he got suspended after throwing at the head of Jim Edmonds (the suspension was for 5 games).
The 2005 was not a good season for Zambrano either in regards to self-control. He got ejected on Opening Day after yelling at umpire Dale Scott in a taunting manner. A few weeks later he would get ejected yet again after hitting Austin Kearns (after allowing a homerun to Adam Dunn). Later that season he would lose his cool with Matt Murton after his throw to second allowed a run to score.
His most memorable outburst next to his recent one with Derek Lee came during the 2007 season. Zambrano got in a fight with his catcher during the game held on June 1, 2007. In the previous inning Barrett had a passed ball and a bad throw that led to a run being scored. Zambrano would go on to give up six earned runs that day off if 13 hits in just 5 innings or work before getting pulled. The altercation between him and Barrett would take place once again after the conclusion of the game in the clubhouse.
At the moment it is not clear exactly what the Cubs plan on doing with Zambrano. His control over his temper has not been the only thing that has been lacking this season. Through his last start against the White Sox his record was 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA and a WHIP ratio of 1.69.
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