Cubs Beat Cards 7-3
On June 5, 2009, after Zambrano won his 100th game, he said his current deal with the Cubs would be his last and that he would retire after the 2012 season. On Wednesday, he brought up retirement again.
"I want to enjoy this game for the next three years of this contract," Zambrano said. "Like I've said before, I don't think I will be playing any more after these three years.
I will enjoy every moment, every single situation in the big leagues for the next three years.
"A friend of mine told me, 'Any time you're batting, you look excited, you look happier than when you're pitching,'" Zambrano said. "I want to mix it up, I want 50-50. When I'm pitching, I want the same joy, the same motivation as when I'm batting."
But why talk retirement?
"I told you this will be my last contract," he said. "I don't think I will be playing anymore. Life is short. Sometimes you miss things with your family and very important people, like my daughter.
Sometimes you miss things in life because of baseball that you shouldn't miss. I want to be there for my daughter when anything happens.
"Baseball takes a lot of time from us, so I think, depending on what happens in my career, this will be the [last] contract."
Zambrano outdueled Chris Carpenter (15-7) to improve to 6-0 in his career at Busch Stadium. The win capped the Cubs' first sweep in St. Louis since June 10-12, 1988,
and they have won five in a row on the Cardinals' turf for the first time since June 18-Aug. 4, 1983.
"We came in here and played well," Quade said. "To come in here and play against a club that's fighting like a son of a gun to win the division makes it even better.
I'll enjoy this for a little bit of the plane ride and [Thursday's] off-day and then get ready for Florida. It was a great series and I'm proud of these guys, and I hope we don't have a hangover when we get to Miami."
The Cubs gave Zambrano a 1-0 lead in the third as Koyie Hill singled to lead off, stole second -- that's not a typo -- and scored one out later on Blake DeWitt's sacrifice fly.
It was Hill's second career steal and first since Aug. 16, 2004.
"You figure you have the element of surprise working for you," Quade said. "If [Carpenter] throws a fastball, I believe 'Z' will put a good swing on it. If he throws a breaking ball, you have all sorts of possibilities.
You roll the dice. Better to be lucky than good. And then 'Z' gets him over without bunting."
The Cardinals had runners at first and second and none out in the third, and Zambrano got Albert Pujols to pop up. But Matt Holliday was safe on an error by DeWitt, who muffed the exchange from his glove to his hand on a potential double-play ball.
Colby Rasmus hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
Rasmus then doubled to open the sixth, moved up on a sacrifice and scored on Yadier Molina's sacrifice fly.
In the Cubs' seventh, Ramirez doubled, Xavier Nady singled and one out later, Colvin became the fourth rookie in franchise history to hit 20 homers.
Hill then doubled and scored on pinch-hitter Micah Hoffpauir's double to go ahead by three runs. Ramirez homered in the eighth with a man on off Blake Hawksworth for his 23rd.
Zambrano admitted he didn't have his best stuff and had to rely on his offspeed. Since returning from the restricted list, he's 6-0 with a 1.59 ERA. It's been a roller-coaster ride this season for the right-hander, from
Opening Day starter to the bullpen to a well-replayed dugout tantrum June 25. He's calmer now, most likely benefitting from the anger management sessions.
"I'm glad he's figured it out," Quade said, "and hope he continues to figure it out."
Zambrano gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings. He not only feels good physically, but also mentally.
"Things happen for a reason," Zambrano said. "I learned a lesson when the [tantrum] happened, and sometimes God puts you in situations for you to learn things.
I just want to keep going and do something to help this team."
Said Quade: "He seems in charge, both on the mound and of his emotions now. He pitches with emotion, we know that. He's just handling things as well as I've seen him in quite a while. Instead of trying to figure out why,
I'd just as soon tip my hat to somebody and say, good for you."
It's been good for the Cubs. It could be very good for Zambrano's career, even if it is over in a few years.
"We talked a lot about the younger players, but older players have adjustments to make and need to get better as well," Quade said. "You roll along with a career for five, six, seven years, and all of a sudden things
get a little tough, and you have adjustments to make if you want to keep playing. One thing I know about 'Z' is he wants to keep playing."
At least until this contract ends.
