Carlos Zambrano Talks Retirement

Though he gets most of the attention for doing so, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen isn't the only member of the Windy City's baseball teams who sometimes talks just to hear his own voice. Guillen's not even the only Venezuelan in town to do so. On the other side of the city there's Carlos Zambrano.

Zambrano has told the media a lot of things he didn't really mean over the years, and on Sunday he likely gave them his latest. The Big Z was talking about his disappointing 2009 season and said that if 2010 goes the same way, he's going to retire from the game of baseball.

"It's been a disappointing season," he replied. "People say, 'Why can't you pitch like [Friday's two-hit shutout of the Giants] all the time?' It's not all the time I feel like that.

"Look, this is the only season I haven't won 16 or 18 or 14 games," he said. "If it happens again next season, two seasons in a row, I'll quit. Believe me, I'll quit. I just have to put this behind me."

There are about 55.125 million reasons to think that Zambrano will not be retiring after next season. Even if he goes 2-18 with an 8.49 ERA in 2010, he'll almost certainly be sticking around. It may not be in a Cubs uniform, but he'll be pitching somewhere.

Now there are rumors that Zambrano may be traded this offseason, as there's been talk that the Cubs are going to look around and see what they could get for their supposed ace. One of those teams that might have interest in Zambrano is the White Sox.

If that happened, then the White Sox would be the run away favorites to lead the majors in empty threats next season.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-29-2009 @ 6:20AM

APerfectGentlman said...

Way to bury the lead, moron. Why do so many of these idiot bloggers feel it's necessary to give us their opinion and some requisite snarkiness before they actually get to the point of what they're writing about? And why does AOL continue to link to these jerks from their front page? The headline mentioons Carlos Zambrano and retirement, so why is the first name I'm reading "Ozzie Guillen"? That's piss poor writing.

9-29-2009 @ 7:07AM

masonsmit said...

Hey I didn't blog a damn thing so unauthorized blogging of things not intended for gentlemen such as your selves is a shame but I got a screw loose so I don't like the conotations that I'm too smart to not read into or you could just call me crazy but this tense atmosphere that I create by reacting to percieved threats is gonna end .

9-29-2009 @ 6:23AM

dc61834 said...

he's an idiot.enough said.

9-29-2009 @ 7:06AM

edbear63 said...

With his attitude i'm not sure anyone will hire him to do a real job.

9-29-2009 @ 8:15AM

bREWER said...

Why is it that you think Big Z is blowing smoe up everyones as with this one....Do you watch baseball? .... Have you seen how competitive this guy is? .... Have you ever seen him talk about his high standards for himself? ..... If he cant pitch up to the expectations he sets for himself then why shouldnt he retire?

9-29-2009 @ 8:53AM

Adam said...

Well, I think Zambrano is serious. He will retire next year - for the first time. As we have seen with Chicago pro players it is not uncommon for a marquee player to retire 3-5 times. Zambrano is right on target for retirement #1 - Soriano is a little overdue.

9-29-2009 @ 9:01AM

Betsy said...

I'm a huge Cub fan and all Cub fans know that big Z is a very emotional guy. We just ignore his rantings, he'll calm down. It was a very disappointing season for the Cubs, and all the players are upset. Look at what happened to Milton Bradley, getting suspended for saying stupid things.... it happens.

9-29-2009 @ 9:14AM

BIG KELL said...

He's a self-centered, GROSSLY overpaid, modern athelete who should be washing cars. These dopes think they are superior to the rest of us. They should thank God they can work in the greatest country in the world, where they pay these idiots the money they get for playing kids games.

9-29-2009 @ 11:15AM

JAY said...

Big Kell, Your such an ignorant, racist fool, and a perfect example of what being an idiot is and speaking like a true douche bag, not Zambrano. There are so many American born player that act foolishly, Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox for example doesn't know when to shut up but do I hear complaints about him, NO. It not about where you come from idiot, its about how you were raised.

If you failed at you job for an extended period of time you would be fired for poor performance. Zambrano has the dignity to realize that if he cant perform at the high standard he sets for himself, why bother playing, why bother being mediocre, why bother allowing the Cubs to dictate what they do with him. If he thinks he cant play anymore so be it. But I guarantee they'll be more babies and smack talkers in the future of all races and ethnicities in sports. Do not generalize by painting this picture that non-American born people act the same because you sound like a fool who is out of touch with today's society.

9-29-2009 @ 9:36AM

w8anders said...

Carlos can't win a game by his self,if his team mates can't score runs it is their fault not his.

9-29-2009 @ 10:15AM

Eddie Bright Jr said...

Someone may want to check out his sexuality. Its tough on gays in professional sports and he may want to come outo f the closet.

9-29-2009 @ 10:41AM

Bill said...

Go now! Zambrano is a spoiled, fat, lazy, illiterate alien that no GM will take without the Cubs eating almost all of his future contract. Look at what Nolan Ryan is doing in Texas, he is training his young staff like he worked himself, like a dedicated athlete does, not like this blob Zambrano.

9-29-2009 @ 10:44AM

johnnyrivera114 said...

cubs never gonna win a world series if the attitude don't change. they have so much talent they don't know how to use it lee, ramirez,soriano, zambrano,dempster,harden,fukudome,lilly.dempster should be 15-3 instead of 10-8 lilly don't know what happen to him started so good ended bad zambrano yes he needs alot more run support just like johan from the mets look at that team let all thier players get hurt waste of season for both teams they should be in the playoffs but no you got teams like the rockies who are playing with heart.

9-29-2009 @ 10:46AM

lakeguy80 said...

when is the American public going to wake up and stop paying these ridicuous amount to see these overpaid babies to play a game. Get a life and spend your money where it can be put to better use. 8 bucks for a beer?

9-29-2009 @ 10:53AM

listen flyerdu10000 when i was young all i wanted was to get laid. so of course they gonna date you.thats all thats in the mind. so wake up and smell the coffee.

9-29-2009 @ 11:23AM

Hey Bill, You obviously know nothing about baseball because Zambrano is one of the harest working players in the game. All the time there are stories about his great work ethic. Don't confuse a hot head with laziness. And next time try not to post such a racist, ignorant remark. Because if I recall there are just as many hot head American born players. I bet you're one of the people who defended Josh Hamilton of the Rangers who became a complete hipocrit after drinking again even though he did all that preaching about staying clean. Just do me a favor and don't be so ignorant, not all aliens act like Zambrano. Just look at how many are on the Rangers to use your example, Nelson Cruz is just one of many. So pipe down cuz you sound really stupid.

9-29-2009 @ 11:40AM

jweyer5 said...

Baseball had ben bery, bery gud 2 me.. Stupid is as stupid does. This guy has the brain the size of a pea. Leave basesball you idiot and see where you end up, in the streets jack ass!

9-29-2009 @ 12:02PM

hrtldappraisal said...

Whatever a Cub says won't ever beat the Cardinals when it matters.

9-29-2009 @ 12:06PM

papam11 said...

It's either quit or be throw out, you friggin wacko.

9-29-2009 @ 1:00PM

kmo0208 said...

Here's the deal... The guy isn't 28 he is probably 34 or 35. A lot of Dominican and Venezuelan players were caught lying about their ages. He looks closer to 40... he is out of shape and a psycho. He just has a look of stupidity on his face at all times. How can you live in this country for over 10 years and still sound ignorant when you speak.

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