For Fun Zambrano/Zito Comparison

[Waveland007]

Now some would factor the whole NL being easier then the AL as far as pitching because of the DH, but when you factor Oakland has one of the biggest foul pole to poul pole dimensions in baseball and factor the Wind at Wrigley I would say it's about a fair comparison or atleast damn close to say it's a level playing field. :cool:

Zambrano
2003: 3.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
2004: 2.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
2005: 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
2006: 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

Zito
2003: 3.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
2004: 4.48 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
2005: 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
2006: 3.83 ERA, 1.40 WHIP

[VanMan]

Well, you have to wonder what Zito's numbers would be without the DH (if either the AL got rid of it, if Zito would have played pre-1973 or played in the NL). Actually, you can say that since the AL has one more bat than the NL in the line-up, you'd have to figure that AL pitching stats might be 11% inflated over NL stats.

Using my theory, Zito, if he was in the NL, would have ERAs each year of 2.94, 3.99, 3.44 and 3.41. Comparing the years to Zambrano's, Big Z would have better years than Zito in 2004 and 2005, while they'd be equal in 2006. Overall, Big Z is a better pitcher stat-wise, so he deserves at least Zito money if not more.

[CUBScrazy22]

I think Zambrano is an all-around better pitcher. I love guys that play with that kind of emotion, and its definitely entertaining watching him bat and throw strikes! It does kinda get annoying though when he talks in 3rd person like he did on the news today lol.

[Waveland007]

Plus one big difference is that Zito lives off 1 speciality pitch and when it's not on it's like batting practice. I mean 88 mph without Maddux like movement or control is fun for hitters lol.

[ChinMusic22]

Zambrano is also younger, has more wins and strikeouts over that span as well.

Zito is a better guitar player. Does that count for anything?

[Waveland007]

Zumaya owns them both when playing guitar god on PS2 :D

[VanMan]

Zumaya owns them both when playing guitar god on PS2 :D
That's Guitar Hero. I just got a copy of GH2 and the controller yesterday.

[DLee25]

That's Guitar Hero. I just got a copy of GH2 and the controller yesterday.

When I heard Zumaya was hurt due to that I laughed so hard.

I personally suck at the game so I don't play!

:D Back on topic, I think that Big Zamby is the better player.

[roenick99]

Now some would factor the whole NL being easier then the AL as far as pitching because of the DH, but when you factor Oakland has one of the biggest foul pole to poul pole dimensions in baseball and factor the Wind at Wrigley I would say it's about a fair comparison or atleast damn close to say it's a level playing field. :cool:

Zambrano
2003: 3.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
2004: 2.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
2005: 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
2006: 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

Zito
2003: 3.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
2004: 4.48 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
2005: 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
2006: 3.83 ERA, 1.40 WHIP

How about this way and tell me what you think.

Zambrano
Age 22: 13-11 3.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
Age 23: 16-8 2.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Age 24: 14-6 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Age 25: 16-7 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

Zito
Age 22: 7-4 2.72 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Age 23: 17-8 3.49 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
Age 24: 23-5 2.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP Cy Young Award
Age 25: 14-12 3.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

[Brutus T Manstrength]

You can't figure it as 11% because that's saying that the NL doesn't have a 9th batter. During interleague, there is a 9th batter, and as well as that.. Some pitchers hit decent. maybe 7%.

[Waveland007]

What Zito did 5 years ago means nothing now, he didn't sign his deal as a 25 year old he's 28 almost 29. That's like us giving Prior a long term deal because 03 looks good on paper.

[DLee25]

What Zito did 5 years ago means nothing now, he didn't sign his deal as a 25 year old he's 28 almost 29. That's like us giving Prior a long term deal because 03 looks good on paper.

Awesome awesome point. I was believe it or not thinking the same thing.

[slammin21sam]

Good point but do you want to let Z walk because he is 25 and asking for tons of money:confused: Not me i want him locked up even if it means a huge deal, i don't want to watch Z pitch for another team it would be like watching Maddux all over again man that sucked. I would have taken the risk in 03 on prior which wouldn't have worked out but i would also take a risk on Big Z. Give Z the money.

[roenick99]

What Zito did 5 years ago means nothing now, he didn't sign his deal as a 25 year old he's 28 almost 29. That's like us giving Prior a long term deal because 03 looks good on paper.

You and I could probably argue this all day. HAHA

You miss my point, though. I am comparing their ages and what they did at that same age. Zito has oh so slightly better numbers and has the one great year to go with it. I am not saying Zambrano will not be better in the next few years to surpass Zito, but I am saying that it is not totally impossible for him to follow the same path and fall off a bit. Zito is getting paid right now in spite of the past couple of years and for what he did 2-3 years ago and I think you cannot compare the two without taking into account what Zito has accomplished over the course of his career. THAT is why he received the contract he did. I just think Zambrano is asking for too much in this point of his career. I think he is crazy to think Hendry would give it to him and I think Hendry would be crazy if he did give it to him. Nobody remembers the giant contract that Sosa was given and the thorn it produced. He was a great player, but there is NO way he deserved a contract like that. Nobody does.

[Waveland007]

Well sammy got his deal when he was in his 30's so his skill was only going to diminish as time went on not reach his prime cause he was there already. I do have to stress one huge difference between Zito and Zambrano for the long term is that Zambrano is a 4 pitch power arm sinker pitcher, Zito has a dominating curve with a below avg fastball. His Cy Young year he was a way different pitcher that curveball he throws takes a huge toll on your ligaments and it shows in his highly diminished fast ball speed. Since Z has been in the league he has always been better then Zito, when Zito wasn't so one dimensional and actually pitched like an ace back in the day Big Z was in the minors lol. I think a pitcher who has only 1 great pitch as his bread and butter is not truly an ace because when it's not on he gets lit like a Christmas tree. When Harden was healthy people treated him as the ace and when Hudson was there people treated him like the ace. I agree with you, we both could argue for days lmao, but it's all in good fun I enjoy talking baseball with you.

[roenick99]

Well sammy got his deal when he was in his 30's so his skill was only going to diminish as time went on not reach his prime cause he was there already. I do have to stress one huge difference between Zito and Zambrano for the long term is that Zambrano is a 4 pitch power arm sinker pitcher, Zito has a dominating curve with a below avg fastball. His Cy Young year he was a way different pitcher that curveball he throws takes a huge toll on your ligaments and it shows in his highly diminished fast ball speed. Since Z has been in the league he has always been better then Zito, when Zito wasn't so one dimensional and actually pitched like an ace back in the day Big Z was in the minors lol. I think a pitcher who has only 1 great pitch as his bread and butter is not truly an ace because when it's not on he gets lit like a Christmas tree. When Harden was healthy people treated him as the ace and when Hudson was there people treated him like the ace. I agree with you, we both could argue for days lmao, but it's all in good fun I enjoy talking baseball with you.

Hey, I enjoy talking with you too. I also figure this keeps us busy enough that before we even know it, Zambrano will be signed and the season will be officially here. Then we can start "arguing balls and strikes" and railing on how much we hate the Cardinals and how much we are enjoying their losing. HAHA! :D

Also, you should get a kick out of this. I was driving to work this morning and listening to the radio here and the local news dip**** started talking about how cold it was and the fact that the Cardinals were starting Spring Training. He mentioned the fact that pitchers and catchers have reported and the position players don't have to report until Monday, but that Chris Duncan and Alberts Pujols had already arrived and how great they were for doing that, blah, blah, blah!! I just would like to convey the fact how much they worship this idiot down here and how much it makes me want to puke. BLAH! He is a great player, but you would think he walks on water down here. I envy all of the Cubs fans that don't live in St. Louis. I cannot wait until the Cubs play the Cards this year. I hope we stomp them everytime again! :D

[Waveland007]

I feel your pain, my whole family is from St. Louis. I was the only one born in Vegas and I'm the only Cub fan, but I love every second of it. I went to Busch Stadium wearing a Cardinals suck t-shirt it was classic lmao.

[roenick99]

I feel your pain, my whole family is from St. Louis. I was the only one born in Vegas and I'm the only Cub fan, but I love every second of it. I went to Busch Stadium wearing a Cardinals suck t-shirt it was classic lmao.

Last time I was up in Chicago (last year), I bought a "Cuck the Fardinals" shirt and when we bought our house a couple months later, the first picture I took in front of the house was with that shirt on. I think I wore it to a company sponsered event at a Cards game. Although, so I didn't get in trouble, it was under another shirt. Everybody I work with knows where my heart lies and they constantly feel the need to give me grief about it. I cannot wait until it is my turn.

[Waveland007]

I love to provoke my family lmao, everytime I get off the plan when I visit I purposely wear a cub hat and jersey. :D

[Doba]

I wouldn't want this weirdo pitching for me.
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/baseball/mlb/02/15/bc.bbn.giants.zito.ap/t1_zito.jpg