Big Z - The Stopper.

[Brian]

Last year he stopped the 9 (?) game losing streak against the Phils with his complete game, and now he has already, nearly single-handidly stopped 2 losing streaks.

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/4aad3085-19a4-4842-9d06-50d03d5c33c4.jpg

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/ebbfc68f-42d2-46e8-a3a5-2db4e1715a0b.jpg

 

Thank you Carlos, for making these last couple of weeks not completely miserable.

[CubfaninCA]

thank you for posting this.

 

SWEEP THESE BUMS!

[Outshined_One]

If he re-signs with the Cubs when FA time comes, Carlos Zambrano may very well supplant Ryne Sandberg as my all-time favorite Cub.

[TheDude]

Only two walks for Carlos last night. Still had a very high pitch count, but if he can drop those walks to two or less as a habit, he is going to dominate the rest of the season.

[UMFan83]

If Z could improve on his pitch count/walk totals and his mini-breakdowns, he could easily become a HOF pitcher.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I really didn't like Z going out for the 8th, but he got it done and had a fantastic outing.

[KatJ]

Dear Z:

 

I like it when you are just being yourself. Keep letting the fire show!

 

Thanks.

[goonys evil twin]

I was a little surprised with how composed he remained after guys started stepping out of the box on him, I think in the 8th. He was done long before that, having lost much velocity. And he looked like he overthrew a couple that missed badly to make up for that loss. But I was thinking he'd try to hit a couple guys.

[Brian]

I really didn't like Z going out for the 8th, but he got it done and had a fantastic outing.

 

if he wouldn't have been out there in the 8th we wouldn't have gotten him clicking his heels!

 

(still a dumb move, I agree)

[badger1679666666]

*Crickets* = the sounds i hear from Blueheart and everyone in the threads that were calling Zambrano a crappy pitcher.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

*Crickets* = the sounds i hear from Blueheart and everyone in the threads that were calling Zambrano a crappy pitcher.

 

That's not even remotely fair. Zambrano was called out when he was doing a terrible job. I told you so's are not needed.

[badger1679666666]

*Crickets* = the sounds i hear from Blueheart and everyone in the threads that were calling Zambrano a crappy pitcher.

 

That's not even remotely fair. Zambrano was called out when he was doing a terrible job. I told you so's are not needed.

 

He wasn't even doing terrible and people were saying he was crap all year, melted down every game etc.

 

He had 3 really good games, and 3 poor games. And my view on "I told you so's" is, 1) I didn't say "I told you so" 2) If you're going to make a statement, you better be ready to support it, or admit you were wrong. Everyone should be accountable for what they say on here.

 

If I say Prior sucks and is a wuss, and he comes and pitches 20 games and pitches like a stud, I should be accountable for what I say. The whole "not calling a poster on a statement" allows people to say whatever the hell they want. Just my opinion.

 

Regardless, the people calling Zambrano out, were incredibly hyperbolic and reactionary. I'm just noting their silence now.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

*Crickets* = the sounds i hear from Blueheart and everyone in the threads that were calling Zambrano a crappy pitcher.

 

That's not even remotely fair. Zambrano was called out when he was doing a terrible job. I told you so's are not needed.

 

He wasn't even doing terrible and people were saying he was crap all year, melted down every game etc.

 

He had 3 really good games, and 3 poor games. And my view on "I told you so's" is, 1) I didn't say "I told you so" 2) If you're going to make a statement, you better be ready to support it, or admit you were wrong. Everyone should be accountable for what they say on here.

 

If I say Prior sucks and is a wuss, and he comes and pitches 20 games and pitches like a stud, I should be accountable for what I say. The whole "not calling a poster on a statement" allows people to say whatever the hell they want. Just my opinion.

 

Regardless, the people calling Zambrano out, were incredibly hyperbolic and reactionary. I'm just noting their silence now.

 

First, there are many ways of saying I told you so without actually saying the words. You said it.

 

If anything, your post is hyperbolic and reactionary. Blueheart, and as I recall a few others, pointed out that Zambrano was pitching poorly and not harnessing his emotions or control, not that he was a crappy pitcher or that he was "crap all year". You are correct that everyone should be held accountable for what they say, but this is not an example of a time where that should be the case. Pointing out that Zambrano was doing poorly was an accurate statement at that time for his overall body of work. His work of late has been much better. By these standards, if Zambrano has a poor start, Blueheart and others are well within their rights to come on here and single you out for calling him good and saying he was good all year.

[badger1679666666]

*Crickets* = the sounds i hear from Blueheart and everyone in the threads that were calling Zambrano a crappy pitcher.

 

That's not even remotely fair. Zambrano was called out when he was doing a terrible job. I told you so's are not needed.

 

He wasn't even doing terrible and people were saying he was crap all year, melted down every game etc.

 

He had 3 really good games, and 3 poor games. And my view on "I told you so's" is, 1) I didn't say "I told you so" 2) If you're going to make a statement, you better be ready to support it, or admit you were wrong. Everyone should be accountable for what they say on here.

 

If I say Prior sucks and is a wuss, and he comes and pitches 20 games and pitches like a stud, I should be accountable for what I say. The whole "not calling a poster on a statement" allows people to say whatever the hell they want. Just my opinion.

 

Regardless, the people calling Zambrano out, were incredibly hyperbolic and reactionary. I'm just noting their silence now.

 

First, there are many ways of saying I told you so without actually saying the words. You said it.

 

If anything, your post is hyperbolic and reactionary. Blueheart, and as I recall a few others, pointed out that Zambrano was pitching poorly and not harnessing his emotions or control, not that he was a crappy pitcher or that he was "crap all year". You are correct that everyone should be held accountable for what they say, but this is not an example of a time where that should be the case. Pointing out that Zambrano was doing poorly was an accurate statement at that time for his overall body of work. His work of late has been much better. By these standards, if Zambrano has a poor start, Blueheart and others are well within their rights to come on here and single you out for calling him good and saying he was good all year.

 

Actually, it was TT, myself and a few others who were arguing that Zambrano had not been pitching up to his standards, and wasn't in control. IT was others who were using completely hyperbolic and exaggerated speech.

 

I distinctly remember saying, that there was nothing wrong with the fact that some posters were pointing out lack luster performances, but that the vocabulary and inflammatory comments full of innacuracy and hyperbole were unneeded. Additonally someone did say that Z was "crap all year" Exact quote.

 

If this site had a search function I'd find it for you.

[soccer10k]

I'm just happy to see the Z pitch that we expected to pitch this year.

[badger1679666666]

I'm just happy to see the Z pitch that we expected to pitch this year.

 

My only point is that people should stop overreacting after 3 pretty good, though not ace-like and 3 poor, though not Rusch-like starts. It just looks foolish in retrospect.

[soccer10k]

I'm just happy to see the Z pitch that we expected to pitch this year.

 

My only point is that people should stop overreacting after 3 pretty good, though not ace-like and 3 poor, though not Rusch-like starts. It just looks foolish in retrospect.

 

I agree. I wasn't happy with his first few starts, but he did show signs. I'm also not saying he's turned the corner, but with two solid starts he's on his way. If he strings together a couple more, then he's back.

[illiniguy]

Anyone think the WBC factored into his slow start?

[badger1679666666]

Anyone think the WBC factored into his slow start?

 

:pulls up a lawn chair, six pack, and waits for Goony's diatribe:

[goonys evil twin]

Anyone think the WBC factored into his slow start?

 

:pulls up a lawn chair, six pack, and waits for Goony's diatribe:

 

:pint:

 

Alright, I'm ready.

 

All I'm going to say is I hope Zambrano never pitches in another pre or mid-season tournament of this style ever again. And that goes for any Cubs pitcher.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Fascist.

[TheDude]

I'm also not saying he's turned the corner, but with two solid starts he's on his way. If he strings together a couple more, then he's back.

 

Just to be clear, it's 3 starts at:

 

23 Innings, 12 Hits Against, 1 Earned Run, 10 walks, 24 Strike Outs

 

Exactly, in your mind, what would a pitcher have to do besides those numbers to "turn the corner"? How many starts does it take?

 

The only disconcerting stat is the walks. And to have a WHIP near or below 1.00 (not sure if he hit any batters the last three games) for Carlos is significant.

[badger1679666666]

I'm also not saying he's turned the corner, but with two solid starts he's on his way. If he strings together a couple more, then he's back.

 

Just to be clear, it's 3 starts at:

 

23 Innings, 12 Hits Against, 1 Earned Run, 10 walks, 24 Strike Outs

 

Exactly, in your mind, what would a pitcher have to do besides those numbers to "turn the corner"? How many starts does it take?

 

The only disconcerting stat is the walks. And to have a WHIP near or below 1.00 (not sure if he hit any batters the last three games) for Carlos is significant.

 

Imagine is whip if he had any control.

[ConstableRabbit]

I just hope we can continue to see him performing well against non-completely terribly hitting clubs.

[BigSlick]

I'm just happy to see the Z pitch that we expected to pitch this year.

 

My only point is that people should stop overreacting after 3 pretty good, though not ace-like and 3 poor, though not Rusch-like starts. It just looks foolish in retrospect.

 

Evidently 8 shut out innings of 2 hit ball doesn't qualify as "Ace-like"

 

Incredible.