Chicago Cubs Baseball

It’s no secret Carlos Zambrano is an excitable guy. Anyone who’s followed Chicago Cubs baseball over the past seven seasons knows the staff ace is as likely to pout over a base on balls as he is to square with a teammate in a dugout brawl.

Zambrano’s emotional antics have run the gamut from comical to disconcerting. But what many of didn’t know prior to Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Houston is that the illogically logical Zambrano has a career in psychology once he hangs up his cleats.

Here’s five reasons why Carlos Zambrano will make a great psychologist:

1. He would have more emotional issues than most of his patients: Anyone who’s ever spent time on the couch or has known someone in the mental health field knows that after one session of listening to their problems, any baggage you brought in seems insignificant. By his admission, Zambrano concedes he may be lacking in the self control department. “I wasn’t controlling myself. That’s the most important thing,” he said. “You can be mad at yourself, you can be mad at the batter, but you have to stay in control.”
2. Zambrano understands the human mind as much as psychologists do: Which is to say, not so much. But in Zambrano’s world and the minds of most psychologists even the absurd can seem logical. For example, ponder this gem from Zambrano explaining his emotional outbursts. ”I think I’m a smart guy,” he said. ”A few times I’m out of my game, but I don’t show it. But sometimes I show that I’m out of my game just to make them think I’m out of my game, but I’m not.”
3. He’s not afraid of confrontation. Whether it’s facing off against A.J. Pierzynski or an entire Wrigley Field crowd, Zambrano isn’t afraid of facing his challengers - or accusers - or whatever demons he happens to hear on that particular day. Which anyone who’s ever failed in a 12-step program knows - if you can’t admit you have a problem, blame it on somebody else.
4. He has an aggressive methodology. Or as some might call it, the “Tough Love” approach. One day after pummeling teammate Michael Barrett, Zambrano apologized and called his catcher “brother.” Whatever the methodology Zambrano used, it worked. The relationship was healed when Barrett was peddled to San Diego shortly thereafter.
5. He’s a Chicago Cub. I believe anyone player who spends any length of time in a Chicago Cubs uniform eventually turns towards a psychologist or becomes one. In Zambrano’s case, and for the reasons stated above, a career in the mental health field awaits.