Carlos Zambrano did his best Mount Piniella impression on Wednesday, going on a ball-throwing, bat-swinging rampage after a disputed play at the plate led to his ejection.
As Zambrano argued a close play at the plate – in which Pirates runner Nyjer Morgan was called safe by home plate umpire Mark Carlson – the 6-foot-5 Cubs pitcher bumped Carlson. Carlson immediate tossed Zambrano, as manager Lou Piniella watched from behind with a look that almost looked like fatherly pride.
You can watch video of the incident here.
Zambrano was contrite after the game, saying of Carlson "I apologize to him."
In a twist of irony, Piniella said Zambrano has to learn to control himself.
"He's got to tone it down a little," Piniella said. "He cares, but gosh you can argue a little bit, get your point across to the umpire that he thought the runner was out and just get back and go out and pitch."
Right.
AP
Piniella: "That's my boy!"
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This from a guy that once got into a wrestling match with his own player in the clubhouse. A guy who used to be an Olympic-caliber base-thrower and cap kicker.
(Although at least he never did any of these things.)
But really, Zambrano should calm down. After all, experts say these temper tantrums just aren't healthy.
It's enough to make you want to shout but most psychologists say throwing a tantrum to deal with stress is not a good idea.
"If you vent anger what happens is you're rehearsing, reinforcing in your own mind that that anger is legitimate," Dr. Pamela Foley said.
Foley recommends taking time outs and "exercise has shown to have tremendous effects on dealing with anxiety stress and depression."
There you go Carlos, exercise is the key. Take a bike ride. Maybe walk to the park and feed the ducks.
Just go easy on the drink dispenser.
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Zee will probably get a six or seven game suspension and the Cubs will lose a few more games because of it.Way to be a team player Zee
Suspending Zambrano would be a joke. He barely brushed the umpire and was tossed for it. He was justifyably upset about both the call and getting tossed and he reacted.
Did that ump in Minn get suspended when he touched the Tigers player? No? Then fair is fair - leave Z alone.
Milton Bradley was suspended for, what, three games for his cap barely grazing the ump's cap. Trey Hillman was suspended for a game for a little bit of spittle flying out of his mouth during an argument. Based on those punishments. Zambrano will likely be flogged with a ratan cane before sundown tomorrow.
Looks like ZEE forgot to take his MEDS, wel the good news is that BEARS report in a couple of months. Cubs suck, they always have and always will, don't know why people cheer for a losing team. Sox aren't any better however I can say they have a tougher division.
Zambrano is a very good pitcher, unfortunately, how effective he is depends on whether or no he gets upset during the game. (And sometimes it doesn't take that much to upset him) The Cubs have delt with Zambrano punching out his catcher, as he did Jason Kendal a few years ago, and other tirads similiar to yesterdays' for years. I hope the new ownership, if they ever take over, trades Zambrano off. Adios Amigos!
There was ample space between ump and Zambranoo during the argument and clearly ump turned his shoulder into Zambrano. Zambrano returned the favor.
I donot blame him for being upset, the guy was clearly out.
Just watched the video. Morgan wraps his left hand around Zambrano's blocking foot. He was safe. He apologized later for it anyway. No hard feelings.
I believe they should start looking at the way umpires react to an argument. The ump clearly brushed Z's arm and Z pushed it away. Sure the ump tossed him, but who should toss the ump for initating contact. If Z gets suspended the ump should too.
I also thought the ump turned into Zambrano first. I feel bad for the gatorade machinge that he attacked with the bat though
I was watching that game. The ump clearly instigated it, even though contact was minimal. The ump should be suspended.
He looked safe to me. More importantly, though, there's something laugh-out-loud funny about watching an overweight millionaire athlete beat the s**t out of a drink dispenser with a bat while his teammates have to cower and walk away to avoid the debris.