Suspended: Carlos Zambrano Makes a Fool Out Of Himself Once Again

June 26th, 2010 by Christopher Murphy No comments »

Carlos Zambrano couldn't even make it to the second inning of his start against the crosstown rival White Sox before throwing yet another tantrum, even being sent home by manager Lou Pinella and eventually suspended indefinitely by Jim Hendry. 

Zambrano gave up four runs in the first inning, but as usual found someone else to blame.

The inning began with a Juan Pierre double just out of reach of Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee. Lee was drawn in by the chance Pierre could lay down a bunt and the bouncer down the line was clearly out of reach for the Gold Glove first baseman.

Zambrano then was able to get Omar Vizquel to pop out, so there was a man on second base with one out. Very feasible for a sane pitcher to get out of the inning.

Alex Rios then hit a ball down the third base line scoring Pierre, which Aramis Ramirez had no chance at getting. Zambrano begged to differ as he felt a guy who just came off the DL should be able to fly.

Paul Konerko hit a base hit and Carlos Quentin hit a ball that no one outside the bleachers had a chance at catching making it 4-0 White Sox after one.

Then this happened.

Lee's lips say exactly what most people have been wanting to say to Zambrano for years. 

Yet another water cooler hurt at the hands of a five-year-old trapped in an overpaid 29-year-old's body.

Pinella mentioned that Zambrano had words for Hendry in the tunnel. One would think he asked to be traded or something along the lines of not being able to handle the team anymore.

Either that or Zambrano felt Hendry should have caught Quentin's home run.

The Cubs are out of options.

They've been patient, hoping the talent would outweigh the immaturity.

The team has tried to move him to the pen, which I'm sure he'll use as reasoning for his current struggles, as a timeout chair to perhaps light a fire underneath him.

Forget about the bullpen, someone needs to find this immature waste of talent a playpen, so he can play with people his age.

The Cubs have to get rid of Zambrano someway, somehow. With the talent seemingly fading away, he brings nothing to the table, but someone who will throw his plate of food.

Drop him, trade him or replace him with a bag of balls because all he is right now is an expensive cry baby.

How about trading him for a new water cooler?

 

Vets Who Might Sign for Cheap With the Bulls

June 26th, 2010 by Michael Gibbons No comments »
Now that the draft is behind us and it looks like the Bulls have positioned themselves pretty well to not only add Lebron James but also let him bring a sidekick along with everyone is extremely excited, but who will fill out the rest of the roster? Once the trade of Kirk Hinrich to Washington becomes final on July 8th it will leave the Bulls with only five players under contract. We know Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah aren't going anywhere but it is no sure thing Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and James Johnson are here once the season starts but let's just assume. And no matter which two players the Bulls start most experts would assume they will sign a swing player (sg or sf) and a power forward. NBA requires teams to have 13 players under contract which leaves six spots open for veteran free agents, resigning of own player, as well as undrafted free agents. So, which Vets might be inclined to come to Chicago and play for cheap? For this and more check out the home of Da Chicago Fan at www.dachicagofan.com

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Crosstown Rivalry: White Sox Get to Carlos Zambrano

June 26th, 2010 by Joe Willett No comments »

This article is also available on The Daily Cub and The Chicago Perspective .

After taking two out of three games in their first series against the Cubs, the White Sox were able to rattle Carlos Zambrano's cage enough to give him a mental breakdown and get him taken out after one inning. Zambrano was also involved in an altercation with Derek Lee in the dugout.

In the first inning, the White Sox were able to put four runs on the board, mostly thanks to Carlos Quentin's three-run homer that brought in Alex Rios and Paul Konerko.

Zambrano was noticeably livid heading into the dugout. The episode ended with Lou Piniella and Alan Trammel escorting Zambrano into the clubhouse. Zambrano was consequently told to go home.

ESPN is now reporting that Zambrano has been suspended, but they don't have information on how long the suspension will be.

The altercation overshadowed another outstanding performance by Jake Peavy, who went seven scoreless innings for the White Sox, bringing his consecutive scoreless inning total to 21.

As for the Cubs, the bullpen did a great job of stopping the bleeding, only allowing two runs through the next eight innings.  Gorzelanny was fantastic, allowing just one run over the next 3.1 innings.

The Cubs bats were silent as they only had six baserunners through the game.  Meanwhile, the White Sox were able to score six runs on seven hits and two walks.

The White Sox now lead the crosstown rivalry 3-1 on the season, and the Cubs are going to have to win these next two games to pull off another tie on the season.

It is going to be tough, however, as the White Sox have won 10 straight games since losing the series finale to the Cubs in their last meeting. The Sox have won 14 of their last 15 games.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are nine games below .500 and are 2-4 over their last six.

I'm Joe W.

Joe Willett also write at The Daily Cub and The Chicago Perspective .

2010 NHL Entry Draft: Taylor Hall Goes First , Tyler Seguin Second

June 26th, 2010 by Mark Ritter No comments »

As expected, the Edmonton Oilers used the No. 1 pick to select Taylor Hall, while the Boston Bruins selected Tyler Seguin with the second overall pick.

Hall, who won back-to-back Memorial Cups and Memorial Cup MVPs, gives the Oilers a very talented offensive-minded forward who should bring a certain amount of cache and respect back to the fledgling Oilers franchise.

In Seguin, the Bruins get a player who won the OHL scoring title and is the more well-rounded of the two top picks. Given Seguin’s skillset, the Bruins feel as if he is ready to step into their everyday lineup as a top-six forward.

While I am sure that Bruins GM Peter Chirarelli received plenty of phone calls regarding the second overall pick, there was never any doubt that he would keep the pick.

Many experts have compared Seguin to Steve Yzerman—nice company, indeed.

Viewed as more of a playmaker,  Seguin scored 48 goals in just his second year as member of the Plymouth Whalers this season—eight more than Taylor Hall scored in his third year with the Windsor Spitfires.

The arrival of Seguin may very well spell the end of veteran centre Marc Savard in Beantown. Stay tuned on that one; it will happen sooner rather than later.

No question, both teams got great players and, while I suspect Hall will be a tremendous NHL scorer, I suspect Seguin will emerge as the better/more well-rounded player.

Despite all the speculation, there never really was any doubt as to which player the Oilers would pick. It was always Taylor Hall.

Drafting Seguin with the first overall pick would have been a public relations nightmare. The minute the Oilers had won the coveted No. 1 pick, Oiler fans rejoiced in celebration with nobody but Hall on their minds.

In Hall, the Oilers get a player that can contribute immediately, be a force offensively, and one that will emerge as a player around whom you can build a franchise and championship.

The bigger the game, the bigger Hall plays. He has a competetivness that is off the charts as well as all the skills to be one of the most dominant players to dawn the Oiler jersey since the days of Gretzky and Messier.

I will be updating this article this evening, so please check back later.

The Ten Worst Broadcasting Moments In Sports History

June 26th, 2010 by Eric He No comments »
Throughout sports history, there have been many calls from behind the microphone. Think of Joe Starkey's call of the Standford vs Cal game, Al Michaels 'Do you believe in miracles?", or Dick Stockton's call of Carlton Fisk's homer. There have also been some awkward and outrageous moments. Whether its showing no emotion, screaming your head off, or completely blowing a call, here are the ten worst broadcasting moments in sports history (with video evidence).

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