Len & Bob's baseball blog

Well, good....Z apologized. In my mind entirely unnecessary, but for those whose heads started spinning right off their necks outta rage, I guess it's a good thing. Hopefully everyone can now just drop it already.

I like Hendry overall, but seeing him inject himself into this just bugs me. Z is a big boy, he doesn't need to have his hand held or be told what to say or how to say it....everyone's acting like they have to fall all over themselves, apologizing to these fickle fans who boo one minute and cheer the next. I don't get it, but I don't get the politics of a$$-kissing either, so there you go.

Lou CRACKED ME UP. He's got such a great attitude, I hope he's able to keep this in the rearview for his team as things move forward. Let's get back to talking about baseball already!

Get it back together guys!!

Although Z's apology seemed genuine, it was obvious he was coached on what to say by the Cub organization.

Carlos, we don't need an apology from you buddy, we need you to be the ACE we all know you can be.

By the way, the other day when the rook from Boston threw the no no, Len said that Big Z was sure to get himself one someday soon. Uh Len, Z first has to FINISH the game to qualify for a NO NO. Do you know how many complete games Big Z has this year. Uno. Z's average innings pitched per start is 6 1/3. Thats not good enough.

Carlos is very passionate about baseball and the city of Chicago. I really hope he gets a standing ovation the next time he stands on the mound.

I respect and accept his apology. Carlos, we support you 100%! Now lets go out there and bring the World Series Title HOME!!

That was well done, all the way around. I, too, didn't need to hear an apology...but I think it's good for CARLOS that they did this...sort of puts it all into perspective and wraps it up. Sure, Carlos was coached on this, but like you said, Brad--Carlos' was genuine. I think it helped to have Jim and Lou both there with Carlos to show unity and support, and help him with the awkwardness of the moment. Lou's take on it is RIGHT ON, I knew there was some humor in this somewhere.

Emotions just got the best of EVERYONE on Monday. I'm with you, Carrie...on with baseball!

Go Cubs!

Did anybody watch or listen to what Big Z was saying on Monday?? He has NO reason to apologize, that was NOT ripping the fans. He said when u are struggling that's when you want to hear support not Booing. Who actually thinks Booing our own team does any good? Long suffering Cub fans?? Wah #$% Wah. I'm one too and would never think of Booing the Cubs. It didn't sound like Wrigley on Monday it sounded like The other park down the red line. If you want to be in the same category as Sox fans by all means keep booing!!!
GO CUBS!!! TRUE FANS DON"T BOO
WE BLEED CUBBIE BLUE

Carlos is getting paid to do a job(and paid real well). If you're not doing your job as expected, retributions are in order. Does he stink enough to take away some of his pay? No. Does he stink enough to be criticized? YES. And we (through our gate reciepts and misc. accessories we buy) pay his salary. We expect a return in our investment and to this point are disappointed. How long do we wait before getting drastic, will depend on Carlos. But as far as the boos go...should we cheer him for his (lack of) performance? He is a competitor for sure, but he just needs to settle down and let his teammates help back him up with defense and offense before trying to win on his own.

Excuses! This team has been so frustrating and inept; this entire episode is just emblematic of a dysfunctional team

Carlos, your 91 million is paid for by the fans of this city, and you’ve stunk up the joint the last 8 starts; we have a right to boo your behind right off the field.

I suspect Carlos will be our new billy goat saddled with his albatross of a contract. Is he an ace starter? Seriously?

Please wish Jim Darling Mesa Az a speedy recovery from Cancer surgery. He's a season spring traing ticket holder!

Many Thanks!

C.D.

Hey Big Z....no need to apologize, we're all part of the Cub's family and just like any other family we get upset with each other, but the love and support are still there and always will be - there shouldn't be any booing.....we are in first place! We need to enjoy that.
I admire your passion.

This is - if memory serves me right - a team sport. I think Carlos is a GREAT player! I respect him for stepping up - prodded or not - and offering an unnecessary apology. I am positive he was not happy with his performance either. I'm with Ken G. Carlos will get a standing ovation next time he takes the mound!

I thought it was good that Zambrano apologized, but I felt he had nothing to apologize. Yesterday's game made me wish he didn't apologize. When Ohman went off the field from pitching, the fans BOOED him too. I think the fans need to try RELAXING a little bit and give the pitchers a break. Did they not realize that the OFFENSE hit into 5 double plays yesterday? It's not all the pitching's fault. The Cubs are in first place, yeah, but it's kinda funny because they're not even that many games over 500. Cubs fans relaaaax a little. There's still about three weeks left. People...quit using Zambrano's contract as an EXCUSE as to why he isn't pitching well. He's struggling lately and isn't pitching his best stuff he knows how to. His 91 mill has nothing to do with it. I really don't like how fans think he's in it just for the money. I'm sure he's LOADED by now, and has enough money to survive, so I think he has some heart in the sport of baseball too.

GO CUBBBBIEEES.

I'm glad that Big Z apologized, but his apology should only reflect on what he said in the press room after the game.
The reaction that Zambrano made when us fans booed him off the field is totaly different. Zambrano has always shown his emotions on the field, so why make a big deal about Big Z pointing at his ears and then pointing to the crowd.
We all love when Zambrano punches his fist in the air when he stikes someone out.

GO CUBS GO

I think it is the fans who owe Big Z an apology. Everything he has done for us over the past couple of years, it is ashame they boo him. Hell he was the only pitcher who could win last year. The guy wears hit heart on his sleeve and he is very passionate. If more players took the game like he did we wouldnt be in such a close race with those other two teams who I cant bring my self to mention. So I say boo to the fans for turning on Z

I don't think Z would have made this apology if he hadn't meant it. He has a no-trade clause, and it would be pretty hard to give him a big enough fine for him to notice, so all the trump cards were in his hand.

This isn't an adjective that I usually use for men, but Z is just so darn cute you wanna give him a big pat on the back and tell him everything's gonna be o.k. Like when he said the fans are like a brother to him and it hurts when they don't support him when he's down. Ahhhhhwwww. The apology definitely wasn't necessary, but it's just one more thing to endear us to our terrifying teddy bear.

BTW, for all you haters out there, where would we be now if Zambrano didn't punch Barrett out of the Cubs? Remember how we were doing back when Bad News Barrett was behind the plate? Z can turn a team around even when he's just working from the dugout and the clubhouse.

Zambrano es el toro numero uno

Vamonos los Cubs!

Just another thought....how much of this booing is related to how much alcohol has been consumed? When did it become a REQUIREMENT to get HAMMERED at every sporting event?? I just know the obnoxious ones at games are almost always the drunkest as well....I have a sneaking suspicion this is related too. JMO!

GO CUBBIES!!!

BINGO, Carrie.

I disagree that an apology was not necessary. I believe it was necessary-for what Carlos said about the fans only thinking of themselves. All of the ranting and raving that has gone on over this one issue proves that exactly the opposite of what Carlos said is true. We do care about this team very much. We wouldn't have stuck by them through thick and thin if we didn't. When Carlos acted like a petulant child he can expect to be treated like one. He lost the game for us, folks, plain and simple. Yes, he definitely owed the fans an apology and I, for one, accept it.

bonnie O.
an apology was def. not needed from carlos zambrano. he had NOTHING to be sorry for. he owed the fans an apology? what did the fans owe him? he has EMOTIONS and FEELINGS. it seems like lately, when he goes on the mound, he feels like it's up to him to win it for the Cubs. he just wants so badly to win. he did nothing wrong & i'm so glad he said that about the fans. seeing him apologize was okay, but not needed. it sucked...because that day when he made the apology, there was more BOOING from the fans. that made me wish zambrano could have just taken back his apology. the dodgers actually have a GOOD team. they're tough. the cubs fans can't expect the cubs to make EVERY perfect play, every perfect save, all these amazing pitches, blahblahblah. no one is perfect. Dempster blew his save today, but out of all the opportunities he's had, he's made most of the saves for us.

since when do the cubs fans boo!? i've heard it the past 4 games against the dodgers. it's RIDICULOUS and it's making the "Greatest fans in baseball" look like the "crappiest fans in baseball." The Cubs players say we're the greatest fans, but when we're booing, we don't act like it. It's funny that people can say Zambrano acts like a child when he lets his emotions get to him...but when fans are out there booing...isn't that kind of childish too? I don't care about the fact that the cubs are so close to getting first place. Zambrano's contract shouldn't be an excuse to boo him. People should get over that game. It's in the PAST.

=]
GO CUBS.

I find it kind of funny that Z was so shocked by the fans booing him.

Newsflash: Cubs fans have booed their own players since I started watching in 1982. I actually think this has something to do with our lack of success, since our players are under so much pressure that they are too stressed out to perform well. I used to think that Derrick Lee was the one guy who was immune to pressure, but even he has looked frustrated at times this year.

I miss the Koyie Hill - Carlos Zambrano combo that gave us such a great July. Sigh.

Llauren-you made my point.

Boy well said Deb and everyone else. I live on the southwest side and Deb you're right you want to booo become a white sox fan.I am a proud southside Cub Fan and I to bleed blue, battling on the front line in the dark corridor, so when I hear booing I cringe. If we Cub Fans think we are one of the best fans in baseball and I do, then we to must act it as well. These guys are truly doing the best they can and Z is no different. If they were dogging it or the Cub brass was not really making an attempt to win then OK boo but thats not the case here.
In fact sometimes I think the pressure/frustration that the Cub Fans and to some extent the organization
may put on the players may place a negative effect on some players. No excuses just an observation. So folks and players like Lou says lets just have some fun. It will happen some day and sooner than later. I truly believe this to be the case. GO CUBS!