Muller: Big Z Is Right, The Cubs Are 'Embarrassing'
By Shawn Muller--
CHICAGO (CBS) Carlos Zambrano has been quite the "character" during his time with the Chicago Cubs.
From his outbursts at himself, the umpires, the media, his teammates and seemingly anything or anyone else that gets in his way, Carlos is never one to hide how he really feels.
Most of the time, Zambrano's outbursts get old — and flat out tiring — for the Cubs organization and its fans, but his tirade Sunday, in my opinion however, was one that was long past due...
And I mean that in a good way.
Big Z went off on Carlos Marmol and the rest of his Cubs teammates while talking to the media after the Cubs dropped another heart breaker to the archrival St. Louis Cardinals (capping off the teams' second straight series of being swept) down in the "Gateway to the West" on Sunday.
I say "Bravo!" Carlos Zambrano!
Now, I am not condoning people who rip their co-workers for a lack of production. But, in the case of Mr. Zambrano on Sunday, nothing he said was wrong.
Zambrano said, "We are playing like a Triple-A team. This is embarrassing. Embarrassing for the team and the owners. Embarrassing for the fans. Embarrassing, that's the word for this team."
When he was talking about Marmol, he was just stating the obvious. Ryan Theriot played for the Cubs. Marmol should know his tendencies at the plate. Koyie Hill wanted fastball. Marmol shook him off in favor of the slider. Theriot tied the game. Albert Pujols eventually ended it.
It's as simple as that.
The Cubs are playing like a Triple-A team, Carlos Marmol should know better, and...oh yeah...they are embarrassing.
Chicago is 11 games under .500. They have lost eight out of their last 10 games and six straight overall. Oops. I almost forgot. Chicago is only a game and a half ahead of the Houston Astros (who recently swept the Cubs at Wrigley Field) for the worst record in the National League.
What did anyone expect him to say? The same old and tired crap that, "we just need to settle down" or "we're close" or any other lame excuse you hear coming out of the mouths of players on crappy teams? I sure don't.
Chicago can't hit. Chicago can't pitch. Chicago can't hold onto a lead.
Not much more to it than that.
When your team seemingly isn't capable of doing any of those three things, the results usually will be embarrassing. And for the Chicago Cubs so far...this is the truth.
I am sure every player is frustrated with the way things have been going for the ball club lately, but maybe Carlos' little outburst can turn into a positive down the stretch.
For any team to be successful, the players must hold each other accountable for their mistakes. This isn't Little League where you don't want to say anything negative because you don't want to hurt little Tommy's feelings.
These are professional athletes who deserve a little kick in the pants once in a while...especially when those athletes are playing as bad as the Chicago Cubs.
Do you agree with Shawn? Post your comments below.
Shawn Muller has lived in the great city of Chicago for 7 years. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, in October of 2010, Shawn received his certificate in radio broadcasting. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and 3 year old daughter Ava, catching any live sporting event, and traveling. Check out his radio show, Grab Some Bench with Muller and Bangser" every Thursday night at 8:30 P.M., at www.blogtalkradio.com/spmuller24. Read more of his blogs here.
