How can you tell when a season is really going downhill for the Chicago Cubs? When Carlos Zambrano has his annual dugout meltdown, which in this case came Friday in a faceoff with Derrek Lee.
Shortly after the screaming fit, Zambrano was sent home and then suspended indefinitely by the Cubs.
"His conduct was not acceptable," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "It has become a bit of a tired act."
Hendry said Zambrano's suspension was indefinite pending an investigation by Major League Baseball and the players association. Hendry said he spoke briefly with Zambrano, who was sent home during the game by manager Jim Piniella, but didn't indicate whether the pitcher apologized for his actions. ...
Manager Lou Piniella:
"That's something that can't be tolerated. He came in after he got the third out and he started yelling and screaming. It was embarrassing. ... There's no excuse for this, none at all, no excuse whatsoever."
This story sounds vaguely familiar, right? Well, it should. Zambrano brawled with former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett during the disappointing start to the 2007 season, shortly before the Cubs began a turnaround that took them to the NL Central title. Alas, that was a month earlier and the Cubs were chasing a mediocre Milwaukee club instead of this year's more formidable St. Louis Cardinals-Cincinnati Reds tandem.
Check out Bleed Cubbie Blue, our Cubs blog, for more on Zambrano and the Cubs' season.
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