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Detroit Tigers: Pudge Proving Doubters Wrong
Ivan Rodriguez endured an onslaught of criticism this offseason when he opted to play for the Detroit Tigers rather than returning to the Florida Marlins or seeking a smaller contract with another contender. Sports writers and reporters...
Successful Baseball Hitters Always Have a Plan!
Successful Hitters Always Have a Plan! Here are some thoughts on the above topic from a buddy of mine. The guy’s name is Steve Springer. “If baseball is 90% mental, why do we work on it less than 10% of the time?” "You cannot control getting a...
The Passion For Baseball
THE PASSION OF BASEBALL
What is something you are passionate about? Passion is contagious and feed off this positive energy. Have you ever seen two people who truly love the game of baseball talk about baseball?
I had a friend’s wife tell...
The Youth Sports Coach
Coaching youth sports is a challenge. Most of our kids are really happy to have us step up to the plate and coach and, despite the time we give up, most parents find the experience equally rewarding. However, there are some major things that every...
Who Is Our Daddy? - George Steinbrenner, That's Who.
Who Is Our Daddy? - George Steinbrenner, That's Who.
Thank goodness the Yankees have him.
Big Daddy, George Steinbrenner, is a Yankee fan's delight. As a Yankee fan I love that so many other fans hate what George has done and continues to do....
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Carlos Zambrano: Over-Shadowed by Greatness
With Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Greg Maddux and Matt Clement on his staff, Carlos Zambrano has been over-shadowed by other household name pitchers. After todays (May 13th) start, in which Zambrano pitched 8 innings giving up 0 ER and striking out 11 hitters, Carlos Zambrano is now 4-1. On May 7th, Zambrano pitched a 2-hitter against the Colorado Rockies and threw just 97 pitches in the shutout. In Zambrano's last 3 starts (24 IP) he hasn't given up an earned run. In 2 of his 3 starts during May, Zambrano has striken out more than 10 batters. Zambrano hasn't always been this good however.
Signed as a non-drafted free-agent by the Chicago Cubs in 1997, Zambrano was the first player born in the 1980's to play a game for Chicago. In his rookie season he was 1-2 with a 15.26 ERA which is not something to call home about. He then improved on his rookie season with a 3.66 ERA after joining the Cubs in July of 2002. Despite the good ERA, Zambrano only had a 4-8 record. Finally, last season, Zambrano broke out. He posted a 13-11 record with a 3.11 ERA. Zambrano solidified his part in the Cubs staff, and began his quest for stardome.
The Venezuela
native has come a long way from being an un-drafted free agent in 1997, and is now a key part of one of the best staffs in baseball. Zambrano's 1.82 ERA is 2nd in the league right now, behind future hall-of-famer Roger Clemens. He has become one of the NL's more dominant strikeout pitchers, and his 46 strikeouts rank 8th in the NL. Zambrano is one of only 6 NL pitchers to have a shutout so far in the season.
Even with these great stats, and even though he has probably been the most impressive starter for the Cubs this season, Zambrano still isn't getting the attention he deserves. If Carlos Zambrano can keep up this amazing start to the season, he will have a great chance to make the all-star team. Soon, fans from all over will know of Carlos Zambrano, and they will mention his name right along-side fellow pitchers like Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Greg Maddux.
About The Author
Kevin Bourassa is a sports-writer for http://www.sportznow.com
kevin@sportznow.com
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