Carlos Zambrano Reaches 100 Career Wins
Carlos Zambrano Reaches 100 Career Wins
On June 5, 2006 Carlos Zambrano reached his 100th career victory by pitching a two hit performance against the Cincinnati Reds and the bullpen managed to hold on to win the game 2-1. Not only did Zambrano pitch 6 2/3 innings and strikout seven but he also hit his 18th career home run, which proved to be the valuable insurance run they needed.
All this in his first game back after serving his six game suspension for his blowout at Wrigley Field, another game in which he pitched great. Carlos Zambrano managed to make news even while he was suspended when he somehow missed the team plane to Atlanta. Big Z had his week off, probably got a few minor scoldings from management and is now back and ready to play.
I think Big Z has the fire burning in his belly again. He wants to win. He wants to prove to everyone how good he is and that the Cubs can win. At least I hope he’s thinking like this because the Cubs could use some of that dominant Carlos Zambrano right now.
Oh wait, Carlos Zambrano is thinking about his retirement.
He said after the game when asked if he could reach 300 career wins “Three hundred? Me?” Zambrano said. “No, I’ll be out of here in five years. After this contract, I’m done. I’m serious. I don’t want to play. I want to help this team, I want to do everything possible to win with this team, but after five years or four years, or whatever I have left on my contract, I just don’t want to play.”
“I want to stay home and see my daughters grow up and hang out with my family more.” he said. “Do you know how many Mother’s Days I spend with my mother? Do you know how many things I’ve lost in my life? It’s good to be here, it’s good to play baseball — don’t get me wrong. But five years, four years, whatever I have left in my contract, I will retire. That’s it.”
I’m not sure what to think of that. I guess we’ll see. How about some more two hit performances like tonight Carlos and we’ll talk about it in four years?
Let’s go Big Z!!!
More Carlos Zambrano Career Stats
Carlos Zambrano has 1,225 K’s which is sixth on the Cubs all time list to pass Bill Hutchison (1,222). Zambrano could catch up this season to Greg Maddux with 1,305 strikeouts if he stays healthy and pitches well.
Zambrano has won 95 of those 100 wins since 2003 season, ranking fourth among all big league pitchers in that span. 1st is Johan Santana with 105 wins, then Roy Halladay with 103 and Roy Oswalt with 98 since 2003.
Carlos Zambrano is the 21st pitcher in Chicago Cubs history to win 100 games, but only the fourth to do so in the last 50 years. The other three are Fergie Jenkins, Rick Reuschel and Greg Maddux so he’s in good company. Two out of those three are in the Hall of Fame. Big Z stands a chance of becoming one of the great all time Cubs pitchers. Let’s hope he focuses on that and not retirement for now.
