Zambrano Ejected, Gets Money's Worth

Whether you love him or hate him -- and there's likely no middle ground since he's so polarizing -- you have to admit one thing about Carlos Zambrano: He's entertaining as all get out. Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Zambrano was ejected after a brief stare-down with the home plate umpire, Mark Carlson. After he was tossed, though, were the true fireworks.

Zambrano has been suspended six games and fined $3,000 by MLB for his meltdown, which means he'll have one of his starts pushed back. Zambrano's agent said the penalty will not be appealed. Regardless, a six-game suspension is just a little extra rest for a starting pitcher.

Zambrano did throw a very solid game, but obviously didn't factor into the decision as he was ejected with a tie game. The Cubs did, on the strength of a Reed Johnson home run, win the game, 5-2.

As far as the call, I tip my cap to Carlson. In fast motion it appeared to be an awful call, but the slow-motion replays showed that Nyjer Morgan ever-so-slightly got his fingertips on home plate before Zambrano applied the tag. It was really an illustration of how great the baseball umpires are at their jobs. The missed calls always get the press, but, for the most part, they make the correct calls on bang-bang plays. They should get more credit for calls such as this one.

Classic Sports Tirades

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano flips out at home plate umpire Mark Carlson after being ejected, then unleashes his anger on the dugout gatorade machine. Click through to see more classic sports tirades.

Charles Rex Arbogast, AP

Who: Jim Calhoun
When: Feb. 21, 2009
Faced with irritating questions about his salary, the Connecticut coach fired back at a freelance journalist during a postgame news conference. "My best advice to you is, shut up," said Calhoun. Watch the video.

Karl Walter, Getty Images

Who: Pat Knight
When: Jan. 31, 2009
The Texas Tech head coach was ejected after running onto the court to protest a call in the Red Raiders' loss to Nebraska. Watch the video.

YouTube.com

Who: Jim Zorn
When: Oct. 26, 2008 during a press conference after the Redskins win over the Lions.
Apparently annoyed by a reporter's actions during one of his answers, Zorn snapped at the journalist, shouting "You keep rolling your eyes and I'm getting ticked off!" Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Mike Singletary
When: Oct. 26, 2008 following San Francisco's loss to Seattle.
Singletary produced fireworks in his first postgame press conference as a head coach, laying into Niners tight end Vernon Davis, whom Singletary sent to the locker room for a second half penalty. Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Terrell Owens
When: Jan. 13, 2008 after Dallas' playoff loss to the Giants.
T.O. could not keep his emotions in check following the Cowboys early playoff exit last year, launching into a tear-filled defense of quarterback Tony Romo. Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Kevin Borseth
When: Feb. 28, 2008, moments after the Michigan women's basketball team lost to Wisconsin.
Borseth opened his press conference by slamming the game's stat sheet onto the podium, yelling "That's how I feel! I'm damn sick and tired of getting outrebounded!" Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Mike Gundy
When: Sept. 24, 2007 during a postgame press conference.
Angered by a newspaper reporter's column criticizing quarterback Bobby Reid, Gundy unleashed a fiery rant that included the soon-to-be-famous words: "I'm a man! I'm 40!" Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Avery Johnson
When: June 18, 2006 after Johnson's Mavericks lost an NBA Finals game to Miami.
Following a question about a foul against the Mavs, Johnson refused to answer, instead repeatedly - and increasingly angrily - asking the reporter for his thoughts on the play in question. Watch the video.

YouTube

Who: Dennis Green
When: Oct. 16, 2006 following an Arizona loss to Chicago.
Another press conference meltdown that instantly tagged a one-liner: "They are who we thought they were!" Green shouted that gem in the midst of a rant about the Bears. Watch the video.

YouTube

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

5-27-2009 @ 7:39PM

Customize said...

According to the new rules of the game, if an umpire bumps a player he apologizes and that is it - so obviously Zambrano should simpy apologize and all will be forgiven and forgotten.
Oh, I forgot, there is that nasty double standard.

5-27-2009 @ 8:23PM

lvrunningman said...

Wrong, the umpire did not "bump" the player you refer to. He placed his hand on his shoulder to get him to return to the dugout after he was called out on strikes. Big difference from a raging mad ballplayer doing an itentional act of bumping the ump to what the ump did. The next day the Tiger player, and manager agreed that the ump was wrong but was forgiven because there was an intent to keep the player in the game but in the future should not touch a player. The ump and the league agreed. Bottom line, no double standard because these incidents are not in the least related.

5-27-2009 @ 8:19PM

Wade said...

Zambrano was just throwing a snarling, hissy fit for Lou. You know his wife won't let him do that anymore.

5-30-2009 @ 9:00PM

bend over u hunk said...

Haha I guess the man is mad and what not. =0

5-27-2009 @ 8:21PM

hookmrl said...

another fine role model what an idiot does he know kids are watching

5-28-2009 @ 3:03PM

drew said...

amen! Maybe it's time to grow up and put on your big-boy pants, Carlos! You get paid how much??? REALLY???

thing was the guy was sale at home another punk pro ballplayer crying boo hoo

5-27-2009 @ 9:03PM

Hi Lanie said...

The umpire got the call right But to all of you who complain that the so called highly paid players don't play with passion guess again Carlos plays with a passion I want more players like him he plays for the love of the game He was wrong on this one but recognize his passion and love of the game

5-28-2009 @ 4:20PM

Karin said...

Passion??? Is that what they're calling it these days?

Really good thing Zambrano didn't spit in the umpires face. There are managers that do that, you know

5-27-2009 @ 9:41PM

Bob Petrone said...

LOL... Passion? Did some moron just say the guy plays with passion? What a joke. Zambrano has a history of not having any self-control and in spite of his talent he ends up being detriment
to his team and his team mates when he behaves that way.
The 6 game suspension? That's a crappy call... It should be Six STARTS... He's a front line pitcher... He goes every fifth day. He deserves 30 days.... Miss 6 turns in the rotation... Miss a months pay... He'll think twice about being such a jerk... Great ball players just don't do that crap... But then again nobodys is predicting a trip to the HOF for him anyway...

5-28-2009 @ 6:37AM

buddycro said...

That seems a little too harsh. Afterall, if it was a player on your team I bet your view would be a little different.

5-28-2009 @ 11:26AM

kcandersen1 said...

6 starts? you're retarded. don't use this as your platform just because you hate the cubs. loser

5-28-2009 @ 6:44PM

Steve said...

Your a jerk Bob. You obviously don't know squat about baseball. Zambrano will be in the hall someday. And there have been, and always will be great players who throw a tantrum on the field. George Brett comes to mind with the pine tar incident. Big Z is volatile and I think he shows a fire that more players ought to have instead of just collecting their big payday every week. Nice to see someone who is not afraid to stand up for something when they think they are in the right.

5-30-2009 @ 10:07PM

svandenhoo said...

Hey Steveo, you dumb A$$, here are those supposed HOF stats for your man Z
Career G GS GF W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP BFP H ER R HR BB IBB SO WP HBP BK HLD
8 Years 231 210 4 96 61 .611 3.48 8 3 0 1,382.0 5,860 1,158 534 591 116 620 30 1,172 42 72 4 0
hardly glowing if i say so

5-27-2009 @ 9:42PM

vitaldraw said...

Steroids, anyone!!

5-27-2009 @ 9:48PM

gamay9 said...

I watched the video three times and that was enough. I'm a Brewer fan but that call was so bad, they (Cub fans) should seriously try finding that ump in a dark alley. Hey, ump; don't drink at Billy Goats (I lived in Chicago for ten years and Cubs fans know what I mean).

The Brewers were robbed of a game last week when the ump reversed a foul call and gave the hitter first base on a hit batsman. The next hitter blasted a grand slam. That call put the Brewers on a skid and the media publicity was nil. The Brewers manager, Ken Macha, so laid back, his talented team may finish no better than fourth, took it in stride. Umps never reverse calls in those situations. The ball may have hit the bat first and glanced off the hitters' hand.

But, back to the Cubs and Zambrano; they have a beef, but at least they won the game and the bad call won't compromise their season.

5-28-2009 @ 4:15PM

Boogaloo said...

try watching the video again, this time pay attention to the left hand touching home plate before the tag... Cub fans, go figure...

5-27-2009 @ 10:24PM

Bob and Carol Ted and Alice said...

Shove a "Sportsmanship Manual" down his throat, give him a 3-game "time out," and fine him $300,000. I think he'll get the point that behaving like a mean little boy, ain't gonna cut it!