Zambrano Hints at Retirement, Cubs Ready Gold Watch
Since this will be the talk of the weekend comments, let's recap tonight's festivities...
Carlos Zambrano started the game, he gave up five home runs in 4.1 IP and 8 ER, then decided he didn't want to wait for Q-Ball to take him out and just threw at Chipper Jones. At least he had the deceny to not throw at his head. With the calmness of a serial killer, he walked off the mound, seemed to say a few words to someone on the bench and then proceeded to pack up his locker, go home and apparently told a few folks he's retiring.
There's even a silver lining in the Cubs 2011 cloud.
Because if he retires, he saves the Cubs $18M next year, not to mention the roughly $4.5M he's owed for the rest of this year.
Jim Hendry's comment from Tennessee where he was watching the Smokies play was, ""We will respect his wishes and honor them and move forward."
(Ominous drum hits)
I've always liked Z, the player and the personality. A few unfortunate antics aside, he played hard, was for the most part good at his job and was just frankly entertaining. It's a shame he never recaptured the numbers that helped him earn his contract, it's hard to imagine a player declining at age 26, but that seems to be the case.
But for the good of the Cubs (hopefully), Z and the organization just weren't getting along and that $22M that the Cubs may suddenly find under their pillow will hopefully be put to good use and get the Cubs back to relevancy a little quicker. (update: Levine says he's owed $24M).
I'm sure more is to come.
Comments