Bleacher Bums Forum

I have never understood the antagonism and resentment exhibited towards Zambrano.

I resent the fact that Ramirez makes millions of dollars per year and stands at home plate and watches to see if the ball he hit goes over the fence.  I resent Soriano and Ramirez trotting down to first base after a ground ball that might well be turned into an error with a little hustle.  I resent any professional that refuses to put forth his best effort.  But Zambrano has never loafed in his life.  Most of the criticisms of him are due to an excess of effort rather than a lack thereof.

Yes, Zambrano is paid too much.  That is reason to resent the management that gave him the contract (a contract that no one on this board objected to at the time it was signed).  But why resent the guy that got it, and is obviously trying his best.

As far as most of his problems have been concerned, they are mostly trivial.  If he breaks a gatorade stand, fine him 100,000 dollars and hope he does it again.  If he tells the clubhouse guy that he is retiring, suspend him for a month and save a couple of million dollars, and be grateful that he won more than he lost on a lousy team.  True, he hit a team mate.  But a couple of years ago, Fielder hit HIS team mate in the dugout, and everyone thought it was a great manifestation of his competative spirit.  And they now want him on the Cubs.

I wouldn't put up with any of this stuff on my little league team.  But we are not trying to build character at this level.  We are trying to win, and Zambrano has helped us do that.  If we can improve the team by getting rid of him, great.  But giving him away hurts, not helps the team.

Tico - Zambrano is no longer as good as he was prior to 2008.  But during that time he has still been a winning pitcher on a losing team.