Usually stoic on the mound until a particularly competitive moment when steam jets out his ears – like a bull – Zambrano appeared tame in his seat.
Zambrano a day before worried that his season was over because of a bad back. Despite an MRI done ASAP that was called A-OK, Zambrano – a Cy Young candidate and about the only decent item the Cubs have going for themselves these days – still worries.
Quit, as in not play any more games this season. Pack it in, pack it up and forfeit the rest of their schedule, before an asteroid, let's say, falls on red-haired Matt Murton.
Kerry Wood's career is hanging by the frayed threads in his right shoulder. Michael Barrett might need groin-replacement surgery. Left-hander Ryan O'Malley might have to try it right-handed. Mark Prior leads with a team-high three trips to the 15-day DL. He would try for four but, because of expanded rosters, teams usually don't disable players in September.
The Cubs are not going to win, and fending off the Pittsburgh Pirates for, ugh, last place in the National League Central doesn't provide the same kind of motivation as, "Shade to left-center, Matt, because otherwise a rogue asteroid is coming straight for you."
"We're out here for 162 [games] for a reason. You've got to continue to play; you really can't control everything that's going to happen," Murton said, perhaps hours before a giant rock from space would end his season.
"There's still some things that can be gained, as far as knowledge and experience for next year," Murton reasoned. "The last month is important."
Filing for bankruptcy is a thing to do, like skiing in Aspen or bowling in Woodstock. Golden parachutes for CEOs pervade high finance. If you don't resign, it's like you never were hired.
Cubs trainer Mark O'Neal said Zambrano would start pitching again when his back feels OK. Manager Dusty Baker said he wouldn't tell Zambrano to shut it down because Baker's "not a doctor."
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