End of "Z" Line: A Look at Carlos Zambrano's Chicago Cubs Career

Getting into a dugout (and locker room) fight with his catcher (Michael Barrett) didn't do it.  Engaging in a dugout shouting match with the mild-mannered Derrek Lee didn't do it either.  But cleaning out his locker and walking out of Turner Field in the middle of Friday's game - that may be the act that finally marks the end of Carlos Zambrano's tenure in the Chicago Cubs organization.  The Cubs have placed Zambrano on the disqualified list, essentially banning him (without pay) from the team for 30 days.  Judging by the reactions of his teammates, they won't miss him, even if it means more starts for the likes of Casey Coleman or Ramon Ortiz in Zambrano's absence.

If this is indeed the end for Big Z's time in Chicago, it's a sad reminder of another once-popular Cubs player who walked out of the clubhouse in the middle of a game - Sammy Sosa, who also never played with the Cubs again after committing his transgression.  And as with another hot-headed Cub of recent vintage - Milton Bradley - Jim Hendry (or his successor) will undoubtedly be forced to purge Zambrano from the roster one way or another.  It's not like finding a taker for a slightly-above-average pitcher with an $18 million contract for 2012 would be an easy job under any circumstances, but Zambrano's selfish actions have made getting any kind of value in return a near-impossible task.

Carlos Zambrano won 125 games as a Cub - a total topped by only three other Cubs pitchers since World War II (Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux, and Rick Reuschel, who has an awesome nickname).  Only Jenkins recorded more strikeouts as a Cub than Zambrano.  Only eight pitchers in major league history have hit more home runs than Zambrano, who had 23.  And in 2008, he pitched the Cubs' first no-hitter since 1972.  But unfortunately, that's not what fans will remember.  They'll likely remember him the way baseball fans remember players like Dick Allen and Bradley - both of whom had emotional issues that prevented them from reaching their full potential as players and teammates.   Despite the anger management issues, Zambrano is still young enough and healthy enough that someone will probably find a spot for him on a 2012 major league roster.  But it won't be the Chicago Cubs' roster.

So farewell, Big Z.  Thanks for the memories, and best of luck to you getting not only your professional life together, but also getting your personal life together.