Zambrano comments

[TheriotSterio]

Big Z had this to say in his post game press conference:

“I don’t understand why the fans were booing at me. I can’t understand that,” Zambrano said. “They showed me today they just care about them. That’s no fair. Because when you are struggling, that’s when you want to feel, the support of the fans.”

I don't think he realizes how much worse it could be in other places such as New York or Boston. I think he should keep his mouth shut and win a damn game.

[ARamfan]

WOW! I can't believe he would respond this way. I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty floored by his comments! The fans booed because #1, we're in 1st place for the NL Central (and we'd like to keep it that way), #2 you just signed a gigantic contract for an unbelievable amount of money and #3, you're supposed to be our ace! :mad:

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Its one thing to boo, its another to boo in the middle of a huge race when your ace has a bad game. I think Zambrano is dead on right. He did a crappy job today on all levels, but booing your teams ace pitcher, makes me wanna throw up and no one should accept this. Deep down some fans feel its their birth right to go to Wrigley, yell profanity, throw thing at J. Jones and act like little f***ing children when things don't go their way. It is 100% unproductive. Period.

I'm not a big hommer who thinks the Cubs can do no wrong, I call them as I see them and this is the reason some other teams fans think were a joke.

[SKIPPER 11]

Z pitched horrible today and has for the last month, however Im going to be the villain and take his side for some of what he said. He just signed a 90 million dollar contract over the next 5 yrs. Nobody that has signed a contract like that should have pitched this bad in so many consecutive games, I know that. But what he said about the fans is true. I mean I was as mad as anyone today about Z and wanted Lou to take him out a lot sooner than he did. As he was walking off the field though, the fans were booing bad and then you saw a select few cheer him- which I thought was good. The fans did the same to Soriano yesterday after he misplayed two balls in the OF. They have done it to JJ forever. These 3 guys are gamers and all they want to do is win. Z hits ground balls back to the pitcher and busts it down the first base line. This is what got him in trouble today. He ran through a stop sign at third and tried to score from first. 3 pitches later DLee hits into an inning ending DP. He had no time to rest and went back out and had a bad inning. Then his emotions got involved and he went down hill. Thankfully his next start will come on the road. If a player does not give their best effort then sure its ok to boothem, but I only see Z trying his hardest.

[ryno4ever]

They were talking about this on The Score just now as I was driving home from work. Gosh, so many mixed feelings about it here. I don't like booing, but I'm not one to stand in the way of someone who thinks they feel they need to do it.

Expectations are extremely high. He is our "ace". I know I am extremely disappointed in Zambrano's lastest performances. I'm not going to boo, but you can bet I am going to be extremely nervous the next time he gets the ball.

I had to listen to it again on the radio today...and I think at that time when he was pulled out, the Brewers had the lead up in Milwaukee... you can bet that every single one of those fans were scoreboard watching today!

Zambrano had made the big "baserunning" blunder the half inning before he had the complete meltdown on the mound. You can bet that it had an emotional factor on his concentration on the mound....and not to mention, I would think that his running like a bull around the bases took something physically out of him as far as energy. So, yes, it was fairly early in the game, but Lou should have been really considering pulling him out before he did.

The booing was out of pure frustration on the fans part. They came to the park today excited that their Ace was going to go out there and give them a HUGE W. Soriano leads off with a homer...then gets a double, Z even gets a hit.... and again, quickly was let down.

On the other side of it.... yes, the fans should be trying to back him up. I'm not saying give him a standing O as he walked off the mound... but booing a guy who wants nothing more than to be in a Cubs uniform more than anyone else on that team. I'm worried about his emotions on his next outing....if it is at Wrigley. Is he going to worry more about being booed than concentrating on his pitching?

Again, I'm tossed up on this one. What i do know, is that if he is going to be our Ace taking us to the playoffs, he needs to really learn how to play with his head and not his heart and emotions as much on the mound....and bases, for that matter.

With Carlos going off on the fans today, he may have just made it much harder for himself.... ask Jones...as Hawkins... He needs to shut his mouth and pitch like the Ace he is supposed to be.

[ryno4ever]

Z pitched horrible today and has for the last month, however Im going to be the villain and take his side for some of what he said. He just signed a 90 million dollar contract over the next 5 yrs. Nobody that has signed a contract like that should have pitched this bad in so many consecutive games, I know that. But what he said about the fans is true. I mean I was as mad as anyone today about Z and wanted Lou to take him out a lot sooner than he did. As he was walking off the field though, the fans were booing bad and then you saw a select few cheer him- which I thought was good. The fans did the same to Soriano yesterday after he misplayed two balls in the OF. They have done it to JJ forever. These 3 guys are gamers and all they want to do is win. Z hits ground balls back to the pitcher and busts it down the first base line. This is what got him in trouble today. He ran through a stop sign at third and tried to score from first. 3 pitches later DLee hits into an inning ending DP. He had no time to rest and went back out and had a bad inning. Then his emotions got involved and he went down hill. Thankfully his next start will come on the road. If a player does not give their best effort then sure its ok to boothem, but I only see Z trying his hardest.

Thanks, Skip! You just put into words what I was trying to say, but couldn't get it worded right!

[Drockvb]

Yeah, the booing and Z's comments are like fire and gasoline. A terrible situation to be in when you are in the playoff hunt.

I just hope his teamates can cool him down, and keep him level headed about this whole thing. His teamates and coaches are the only ones that can help fix this.

The other way to fix this is for Carlos to start throwing strikes.

[ryno4ever]

He understands, I think...I think he is just as frustrated as we are now, and the frustration is getting into his head.... he also said this:

They pay to see a good show, they pay to see a good pitcher," Zambrano said. "Right now, I'm not doing too well. I just tell the fans I want a little support. When you have a brother or somebody, and he's struggling, you show him love. You don't show him that you want to kick him out."

[ARamfan]

The booing was out of pure frustration on the fans part. They came to the park today excited that their Ace was going to go out there and give them a HUGE W. Soriano leads off with a homer...then gets a double, Z even gets a hit.... and again, quickly was let down.

On the other side of it.... yes, the fans should be trying to back him up. I'm not saying give him a standing O as he walked off the mound... but booing a guy who wants nothing more than to be in a Cubs uniform more than anyone else on that team. I'm worried about his emotions on his next outing....if it is at Wrigley. Is he going to worry more about being booed than concentrating on his pitching?

Again, I'm tossed up on this one. What i do know, is that if he is going to be our Ace taking us to the playoffs, he needs to really learn how to play with his head and not his heart and emotions as much on the mound....and bases, for that matter.

With Carlos going off on the fans today, he may have just made it much harder for himself.... ask Jones...as Hawkins... He needs to shut his mouth and pitch like the Ace he is supposed to be.

All of what you said here makes sense to me. I wouldn't be one to boo...ever. It's just that I feel the frustration of the fans who did today. I was extremely upset about Z's terrible performance today, mainly because right now EVERY WIN IS IMPORTANT! He should have stopped at third and waited for his next chance to run. I think he would have scored in that inning. Then, after he got thrown out, he just let everything go to 'he!! in a hand basket' because of it. He has got to get control over his emotions, if only for the next month or so.

[HOLYCOW!25]

Though I don't agree with booing him, he still needs to get his **** together, seriously. I understand he's upset, but he needs to forget about it, go out there, and pitch a good game his next start. He needs to do what he did earlier in the season, where he just forgot about everything else that had been happening, and start the season all over again in his head. If he can just do that, fans won't be booing him anymore.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yeah, the booing and Z's comments are like fire and gasoline. A terrible situation to be in when you are in the playoff hunt.

I just hope his teamates can cool him down, and keep him level headed about this whole thing. His teamates and coaches are the only ones that can help fix this.

The other way to fix this is for Carlos to start throwing strikes.

Yes, throwing strikes is the entire problem. He gets behind way too much, he has the stuff to set up hitters and gas them with a fastball or a slider.

[diehardnorthsider]

I admit, I have booed my own teams and players at sporting events but I don't think today was a good situation to do so. Z needs to keep his head clear and focus on the job at hand, winning the division, and by not supporting him through his struggles that may just set him off even more like NeifiPerezMVP2007 said in the comment above "fuel for the fire"

As for the base running blunder, I love the agression but he needs to pay attention to Quade.

[HOLYCOW!25]

I think Lou needs to sit him down and just get him to calm down, and reassure him that he is the ace of the this staff, and that he has the stuff to dominate any team out there. He just needs to control his emotions, and pitch like he can.

[Jason]

Its one thing to boo, its another to boo in the middle of a huge race when your ace has a bad game. I think Zambrano is dead on right. He did a crappy job today on all levels, but booing your teams ace pitcher, makes me wanna throw up and no one should accept this. Deep down some fans feel its their birth right to go to Wrigley, yell profanity, throw thing at J. Jones and act like little f***ing children when things don't go their way. It is 100% unproductive. Period.

I'm not a big hommer who thinks the Cubs can do no wrong, I call them as I see them and this is the reason some other teams fans think were a joke.

Sorry but you are completely WRONG... he makes cash out the @ss, he needs to step up and do what he SHOULD by paid to do.

He has been pathetic the his last 8 starts... he needs to start performing.

Slump or not... he needs to get his sh*t together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeeEila's/rant]

He better get a grip. We want a series now !! I am serious /. We had to see the Red Sox get one then the White Sox . I remember when the South Siders won I thought I could be happy for them and be a good Chicago fan but , I just said " why not us? ". I think I am with most Cub fans now. No more fun and games put up or shut up.
He is getting paid to give us OUTS not get OUTS !!!! He needs to either start throwing strikes and not play superman around the bases !!
If he can't get this straight he may become trade bait at the end of the year!!!

[Bockstock]

In the last four years Z has

been thrown out of games for throwing at batters
gotten into a fight with his catcher
been ejected from Opening Day
Shown up his teammates on the field
Made incendiary comments to the press

and he responds like this when the fans boo him once??

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I see many mixed emotions on this subject. I have to say that the fans are right in what they have done. All the booing that was heard around Wrigley yesterday wasn't just because of Z's performance yesterday. He has been terrible as of late and with the win now attitude that is when the ace of the pitching staff needs to step up and put you over the top. There are some things that Zambrano has been struggling with on the mound but for him to completly run through a stop sign and make the first out at the plate was very dumb. Zambrano has failed the great fans of Chicago and they are voicing their opinions and rightfully so.
If others would look at things from a different perspective they may also see this. Zambrano has had many great outings and he surely enjoys the standing ovation from the fans when he has done great. But for anyone to think that they are going to constantly applaud you while playing bad then they will never understand. You have to take the good with the bad and Zambrano needs to perform if he wants the support. For him to make the comments he did it ticks me off because it just shows me he has no clue what being a Cub fan is all about. Management gave the fans the win now attitude now its time for Big Z to do his part and he is failing so keep booing!!!!

[ryno4ever]

The only thing that really got to me about Zambrano's comments, was that he "used to think the Cubs fans were the best in baseball, but now they showed him that they are just in it for themselves'! WHAT?!? First, maybe we are a little selfish, but WE are the ones that pay the tickets and buy the merchandise.... so if WE want to finally be rewarded, then call it selfish, but I can guarantee that not every single player on there grew up a Cub fan.... including Zambrano. We stood by him in all of August...waiting for the slump to end. Waiting for the Big Z we know to come out to play. Now, we are right in the heat of the pennant race, the waiting game is over. Put up or shut up. We're hungry for a championship... not for the ring, or the big paycheck bonus. We want to say that our team, that has made us laugh and cry for years and years, finally let us feel what it is like to say that OUR team that WE followed through thick and thin is finally the World Series Champions!

I just don't understand what he thought the fans should have done in that situation. For the last 5 outings, he has struggled...has cost the team wins. He lost total control on the mound after he made a horrible, HORRIBLE baserunning mistake.... and he wants the fans to jump up and give him a hug? 30 earned runs in your last 28.2 innings and he wants us to pat him on the back?

The more and more I see the press conference, which has been repeatedly played on CSN, the more I just get so frustrated with Carlos right now! We're selfish? He just opened the door to a blowout, and HE wants love?

I hope he realizes by going out there and verbally attacking the fan base, he has put a microscope in each of the fans hands, and they will now be even more critical toward him than he was before....and 5 years under a microscope is a very long time for such a strained relationship! I don't even think an apology from him would suffice now...because we would know that came from the Cubs Media Department, and not from the heart of Big Z. We heard how he feels and if he comes back with an "I was wrong...the Cubs fans are the greatest ever" is going to be nothing but empty words.

[LeeEila's/rant]

I dream that he pitches a no-hitter his next outing and every fan in Wrigley turns their back as he exist the field .
I wonder what he will think of that .

Without us cheering and booing it would be just a bunch of grown men playing a meaningless kids game

[SKIPPER 11]

The worst thing that could have happened yesterday did- the media put a microphone in his face and baited him into saying something he should not have. He is not the sharpest crayon in the box, we must remember that.

Some people can handle the booing fine from their own fans, but not Big Z. He puts so much into every game, regardless of his actions. I just think he felt let down a little yesterday. Now when he pitches in Wrigley, I have a feeling he will be an emotional wreck.

[ryno4ever]

The whole thing put a sour taste in my mouth...kinda like Sammy's last days here. Not as much as what was said...but the fact that he has now given the media and sports radio a very hot topic....and the more people are chiming in about it, the bigger it's getting. One of the Chicago writers went as far today as saying that he may have burned bridges so badly yesterday, he may look to want to waive his no trade clause in the offseason! Now, come on! Tensions are high.... emotions are skyrocketing.... but this has turned into a mountain that the Cubs and Zambrano may not be ready to climb. It is causing a distraction at the absolute worst possible time.

When Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal last month, it was considerably below market value. He said he agreed to accept less money because he only wanted to stay in Chicago and play for the Cubs. But Zambrano's tirade may ultimately lead to a strained relationship that could cause him to waive his no-trade clause this off-season....Paul Sullivan, Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Tribune.

[SKIPPER 11]

Trade- HMMMMMMMM.


It would more than likely be with the Yankees if it were to happen.


Dero and Z FOR Cano and Chamberlain, heck will take Arod too. I would hate to lose Z though, no matter how bad he has been

[LeeEila's/rant]

Trade- HMMMMMMMM.


It would more than likely be with the Yankees if it were to happen.


Dero and Z FOR Cano and Chamberlain, heck will take Arod too. I would hate to lose Z though, no matter how bad he has been

DeRosa is a no go !! He is the one reason we are still alive. Remember the Lee suspension and the Aram injury ?

[SKIPPER 11]

DeRosa is a no go !! He is the one reason we are still alive. Remember the Lee suspension and the Aram injury ?

I wouldnt want to lose Dero either but for Cano????????????????

[ryno4ever]

I say let Big Z try to make his comeback before we totally write him off. I was just making a point of how the media is blowing this so out of proportion and making the situation so much worse than it needs to be. Z was upset...the fans were upset... but it doesn't mean we have to break up, does it? ;)

[SKIPPER 11]

I say let Big Z try to make his comeback before we totally write him off. I was just making a point of how the media is blowing this so out of proportion and making the situation so much worse than it needs to be. Z was upset...the fans were upset... but it doesn't mean we have to break up, does it? ;)

Thats my whole point with the emotional Z. I never know what this guy is gonna do. I thought he had really grown up last year after the Peirzinsky/ Barrett fight and the next day AJ took him deep and he did not throw at him his next AB. Its like you said though - the media is making a mountain out of this- Z has always worn his emotions on his sleeve. Basically he is a 6 foot 5 250 pound giant that needs to be babied

[Bierboy]

I would have been the first to boo Zambrano had I been at Wrigley yesterday. The fans have every right to boo a player any time they desire. As long as it doesn't get into the name-calling and personal attacks. Booing is part of sports. And if he can't take it, then sayonara. This guy is certifiable, and, unless he puts it together, and I mean SOON, we have zippo chance of making it to the playoffs.

[cubbyfanforever]

I would have been the first to boo Zambrano had I been at Wrigley yesterday. The fans have every right to boo a player any time they desire. As long as it doesn't get into the name-calling and personal attacks. Booing is part of sports. And if he can't take it, then sayonara. This guy is certifiable, and, unless he puts it together, and I mean SOON, we have zippo chance of making it to the playoffs.

You put it nicely,I paid $4000.00 last for tickets and a little over $2000.00,and as a fan I have a right to boo if I'm not happy with their performance,that does not mean I don't love my Cubbies ,its just something at the heat of the moment.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

He said he was sorry. End of story.;)