Sports World Roundup: Video of the Carlos Zambrano Ejection and Problems in Memphis

Earlier this week in my fantasy baseball league we began debating what makes a pitcher an ace. Naturally, this came in response to me taking it personally that I did not think one of my leaguemates was giving Mark Buehrle the credit he deserved for being an ace. I don’t want to rehash the whole argument here, because any consistent MSF reader knows that I espouse the underrated greatness of Mark Buehrle at every opportunity already. However, I do want to correct one claim that I made in my message post that was attempting to define an ace.

I listed out all of the current MLB pitchers that I consider to be aces. Here is the list:

• Roy Halladay
• C.C. Sabathia
• Josh Beckett
• John Smoltz
• Mark Buehrle
• Zack Greinke
• Justin Verlander
• John Lackey
• Cole Hamels
• Johan Santana
• Chris Carpenter
• Yovani Gallardo
• Roy Oswalt
• Carlos Zambrano
• Chad Billingsley
• Jake Peavy
• Brandon Webb
• Tim Lincecum

Of all the guys listed on there, the one that gave me the most trouble was Carlos Zambrano. Certainly he is a talented pitcher and has put up very good statistics over his career. But what made me pause when listing his name was Zambrano’s famous propensity to completely lose his cool, especially in big moments.

Well, the day after I posted the above list, Carlos Zambrano blew another gasket and not only embarrassed himself and his team, he was ejected in a big spot and will probably be suspended. The Cubs were leading 2-1 in the 7th inning at the time, and luckily for Zambrano his teammates bailed him out and held on for the 5-2 win. Still, with the Cubs struggling and their purported ace on the hill, you would like to think he could be counted on to keep his emotions in check and not be removed from the game for such a silly outburst.

Here is the video of the Carlos Zambrano ejection if you have not seen it yet:

While driving in to work today, Tim Kirkjian was on the radio and he was specifically asked if Carlos Zambrano was an ace, if his teammates trusted him. Kirkjian said that he talked to a former Cubs player who said he loved Carlos Zambrano, and obviously thought he was a great pitcher; but, that he would not trust him to control his emotions and put his team in a position to win in Game 7 of a playoff series or any other big game.

I defined an ace very much that way: a guy that the manager, teammates, and fans expects to put his team in a position to win every time he takes the hill, regardless of opponent or circumstance. It looks like I was wrong to include Carlos Zambrano on that list.

In other sports news…

The Memphis basketball program is facing some major trouble regarding possible impropriety in regards to the SAT test of a prominent member of the 2008 National Finalist team. Though his name is not officially included in the NCAA report, all of the speculation is surrounding former Tiger and current Bull Derrick Rose. Looks like John Calipari may have gotten out just in time. I wonder if he knew this was coming down and if that was any motivation to leave?

In other feel-good John Calipari news, his latest phenom recruit John Wall plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of breaking and entering. The charges don’t sound egregious by any means, but made all the more interesting as the stench of Calipari continues to envelop college basketball.

Zoner Sports has decided to make a list of the five coaches most likely to be “Sprewell’d”. Coaches from two of my favorite teams made the list: Lane Kiffin and Ozzie Guillen. And if Bob Knight were still coaching, he might have made the list too. What is it with me being a fan of teams with loose cannon coaches?

I wish I could shoot pool like this kid.

You can feel the court of public opinion starting to trend in Michael Vick’s favor. The latest and greatest to jump on the “give Vick a second chance” bandwagon is JM Van Horn at MoonDog Sports.

While they are waiting, the guys over at WFNY wonder if tonight’s game impacts LeBron’s future in Cleveland. If it does, all I can say is I hope the Cavs win. I do not want to see him playing anywhere else…but this series has definitely proven that he still needs more help. Robert Littal BSO likens the current version of LeBron James to MJ circa 1989. It is an apt comparison.

It’s Thursday and she’s hot, so why not?

The player ratings for the new Madden video game have been released. I wonder what LaDainian Tomlinson will think seeing himself at 94…but former backup Michael Turner at a 95. And does anyone else have a problem with Calvin Johnson being below Anquan Boldin and Roddy White? Those are both great receivers, but I think I’d rather have Johnson.

And that’s a wrap for this morning. Have a great day everyone.

Tags: carlos zambrano, John Calipari

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