Carlos Zambrano, perpetual problem child of the Chicago Cubs, is quoted as saying: “I don’t want to be making $18 million and pitch like crap.” Let’s look at this and see if we can’t find a solution.
He’s been pitching like crap on and off his entire Cubs career, so we probably can’t do anything about that part. So, let’s focus on what we can fix: the $18 million. How much should he give back? I think $16 million would probably get it done. That would mean the Cubs paid him about $220,000 per win this year.
Most of the talk about Zambrano’s short-lived retirement has been about how frustrated he is and how badly he pitched. After giving up five home runs, he cleaned out his locker and announced he was going to retire. But that’s not what we should be concerned about. Zambrano wanted out of that game and he did the one thing he knew would get him tossed: he threw at somebody.
I don’t care if he throws a punch at a teammate or destroys a water cooler (he has done both) but when the only way he can think of to get off the mound is to throw at someone, it's time for him to go.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Return of Chien-Ming Wang
Remember Chien-Ming Wang? He was one of the terrific pitchers the Yankees had in their stable in the mid 2000s. Threw nasty sliders that no one could hit for more than weak ground ball outs? Won 19 games in 2006 and again in 2007? Fastest pitcher to 50 wins since Dwight Gooden?
Whatever happened to him? Well, he tripped over first base in an interleague game against the Houston Astros and tore up his foot which led to a change in his mechanics which led to a hip problem which led to a shoulder problem. All of which led to bye-bye from the NY Yankees.
He was let go after the 2009 season after several comeback attempts. The Yankees are not known for their patience and Wang was taking two steps backward for every step forward.
In the winter of 2010 Wang was signed to a one-year deal by the Washington Nationals, a team that has nothing but patience. He was slated to return in mid-season, but progress was slow and Wang did not pitch a single inning for the Nats. Remarkably, they signed him again last winter. One year, one million bucks. His long delayed return finally took place a few weeks ago and it wasn’t pretty. Wang was pounded early and often by the Mets. After his four inning stint, his ERA stood at 9.00.
A few days later he was back on the mound against Atlanta
But last night there was Wang on the mound in Chicago, his sinker crisp and biting. He no-hit the Cubs through the first five before giving up an infield hit in the sixth. Ground ball after ground ball, he was terrific. The manager pulled him just before his turn at bat in the seventh inning. Given his history on the base paths, it was probably the right thing to do. Welcome back, Chien-Ming Wang.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Milestones and Phenoms
Jim Thome and Tim Wakefield are both on the verge of milestones in the waning days of their major league careers. Thome, now a designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox will soon hit his 600th career home run. Wakefield, the Red Sox knuckleballer and the oldest player in the major leagues needs one more win to reach 200.
Jim Thome, who is putting 11 nieces and nephews through college and was the most beloved player in Cleveland sports history was drafted without fanfare in the 13th round in 1989. He’s been a favorite wherever he’s played. Tim Wakefield, who is an eight time Roberto Clemente Award nominee and a 2010 winner, was told by a scout that he would never get beyond Double A ball. So much for expert opinions and so much for nice guys finishing last. Thome and Wakefield are two guys who make the game worth watching.
Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are the number one draft picks of the last two major league drafts. Both belong to the Washington Nationals and have sported the “Can’t Miss” label in the months leading up to the draft. Strasberg came up in the middle of last season and seemed to justify the hype. He pitched very well and then promptly blew out his arm and headed off to the doctor. He’s now starting a comeback after Tommy John surgery. Too soon to tell much after one, very brief, rehab start but no red flags.
Bryce Harper was in such a hurry to play ball that he picked up a GED diploma after two years of high school and went to play for a junior college that no one has heard of because they use wood bats. Unlike Strasberg who seems almost humble despite the incredible attention, Harper likes to mouth off and show everyone – umpires, opposing pitchers, fans how special he is. So far young Bryce is hitting .245 since being promoted to Double A. So we’ll just wait and see about him.
How much do you want to bet that we will not be talking about Strasburg and Harper reaching major milestones in, say, 22 years?
Jim Thome, who is putting 11 nieces and nephews through college and was the most beloved player in Cleveland sports history was drafted without fanfare in the 13th round in 1989. He’s been a favorite wherever he’s played. Tim Wakefield, who is an eight time Roberto Clemente Award nominee and a 2010 winner, was told by a scout that he would never get beyond Double A ball. So much for expert opinions and so much for nice guys finishing last. Thome and Wakefield are two guys who make the game worth watching.
Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are the number one draft picks of the last two major league drafts. Both belong to the Washington Nationals and have sported the “Can’t Miss” label in the months leading up to the draft. Strasberg came up in the middle of last season and seemed to justify the hype. He pitched very well and then promptly blew out his arm and headed off to the doctor. He’s now starting a comeback after Tommy John surgery. Too soon to tell much after one, very brief, rehab start but no red flags.
Bryce Harper was in such a hurry to play ball that he picked up a GED diploma after two years of high school and went to play for a junior college that no one has heard of because they use wood bats. Unlike Strasberg who seems almost humble despite the incredible attention, Harper likes to mouth off and show everyone – umpires, opposing pitchers, fans how special he is. So far young Bryce is hitting .245 since being promoted to Double A. So we’ll just wait and see about him.
How much do you want to bet that we will not be talking about Strasburg and Harper reaching major milestones in, say, 22 years?
Monday, August 1, 2011
Two Fans
Vincent Edward Scully is the 83 year old voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's been broadcasting Dodger games since 1950 when their home was Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. He and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers are my earliest baseball memory. In 1956 when the Dodgers lost the World Series to the team from the Bronx even Vinny couldn't make me feel better. I was eight years old and inconsolable. It's the only time he's failed.
The other night one of my local broadcasters visited with him before a game with the Dodgers and even though the piece was just a few minutes long, Vin's charm was still there. First there's the voice itself, a smooth, lilting tenor with a hint of Ireland. Then there's the modesty and self-deprecating humor when Vin explains that his early success was really a product of something he had nothing to do with -- the transistor radio. How long has it been since we've heard that phrase? But finally, it's his love of the game that comes shining through. After all the years and despite the mess that the Dodgers have become, he is, most of all, a fan.
While this interview was taking place, I was at a local minor league game with another, much younger, fan. This fan knows nothing about Vin Scully and the Brooklyn Dodgers; this fan is too young to stay up late to watch games but he does catch all the major league highlights every morning before school or camp. This fan likes to play ball more than he likes to watch it and is privately convinced that he is going to the major leagues. He is nine years old.
The two fans share an enthusiasm for the experience of being at the game. The youngster cheered for the home team even though he didn’t know a single player and had never been to the little ball field before. He kept a scorecard and didn’t miss a play and he enjoyed every minute of it. I’d like to think the two fans would enjoy seeing a game together.
The other night one of my local broadcasters visited with him before a game with the Dodgers and even though the piece was just a few minutes long, Vin's charm was still there. First there's the voice itself, a smooth, lilting tenor with a hint of Ireland. Then there's the modesty and self-deprecating humor when Vin explains that his early success was really a product of something he had nothing to do with -- the transistor radio. How long has it been since we've heard that phrase? But finally, it's his love of the game that comes shining through. After all the years and despite the mess that the Dodgers have become, he is, most of all, a fan.
While this interview was taking place, I was at a local minor league game with another, much younger, fan. This fan knows nothing about Vin Scully and the Brooklyn Dodgers; this fan is too young to stay up late to watch games but he does catch all the major league highlights every morning before school or camp. This fan likes to play ball more than he likes to watch it and is privately convinced that he is going to the major leagues. He is nine years old.
The two fans share an enthusiasm for the experience of being at the game. The youngster cheered for the home team even though he didn’t know a single player and had never been to the little ball field before. He kept a scorecard and didn’t miss a play and he enjoyed every minute of it. I’d like to think the two fans would enjoy seeing a game together.
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