Chicago Cubs Baseball

No one can accuse Chicago Cub baseball fans as making the wisest of choices. If that were the case most of us would have abandoned Cubs baseball long ago. Say, somewhere right after the 1969 season.

But here we are in September, with Cubdom’s support as strong as ever for one of the greatest groups of underachievers ever assembled in baseball’s history - the 2007 Chicago Cubs.

Unfortunately, the Cubs now have a face to go with their lovable loser image. The problem is, he’s not so lovable.

Carlos Zambrano, the losing pitcher in today’s 11-3 fiasco, was recently named the Chicago Cubs’ “Face of the Franchise” by ESPN.com SportsNation. Results were based on a 64-person panel of “experts,” as well as the votes of over one million baseball fans.

My only hope is that of the 32.6 percent of the votes that Cubs manager Lou Piniella received, Cubdom was responsible for most of those. Zambrano, meanwhile, earned the Face of the Franchise distinction with 37.6 percent. Which oddly enough, comes close to matching his strikes to balls ratio.

Erratic pitching is one thing. Coupled with erratic behavior and it’s downright embarrassing. Today was another prime example of Zambrano on the loose.

While Los Angeles getd credit for today’s win, it shouldn’t go without the Dodgers paying for Zambrano’s salary today. He simply was a one-man, Cub-killer, wrecking crew.

After singling to start the Cubs’ third inning, Zambrano tried to score from first on Alfonso Soriano’s double to left, clearing ignoring third-base coach Mike Quade’s stop sign. Not only was he thrown out at the plate, but Zambrano killed the Cubs’ chances of tacking on much-needed runs.

But Zambrano was only starting. On the mound he was equally as devastating to the Cubs. His final line read eight earned runs on seven hits and five bases on balls. The recent signee of a $91.6 million contract accomplished all of that in a mere four-and-one-third innings.

And if that weren’t enough, after being pulled amidst a Wrigley Field chorus of boos, Zambrano walked off the field, looking into the crowd and pointing to his left ear, mocking as if to say, “I hear you.”

It’s too bad it takes a sock in the jaw (i.e. Michael Barrett) or a reign of boos to get Zambrano’s attention. One would think that signing a multi-million dollar contract also would require a level of maturity to go along with baseball talent - real or perceived.

As we come to the close of summer I propose Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry, in true Labor Day tradition, organize a telethon. Call it the Carlos Zambrano Telethon, Dollars for Z, or whatever catchy name fits.

At least then Hendry could get some of the club’s money back.