Zambrano's sorry … again

Carlos Zambrano is getting pretty good at apologies.

The Cubs' ace made his second formal apology of the season Tuesday, saying he was sorry to Cubs fans for his Monday comments critical of them for booing him following another poor performance.

Zambrano also said he was sorry after punching former teammate Michael Barrett in the dugout during a game June 1, but not a lot has changed for the right-hander when it comes to controlling the emotional side that flared in a negative way once again.

"There was a moment (Monday) when I was angry, and many human beings when they're angry they sometimes say a lot of things they shouldn't say," Zambrano said. "I am human. I made a mistake. The good thing about myself is when I make a mistake I know that I have to apologize and I know that I have to do the correct thing.

"This comes from my heart. I love these fans. I love the Cub fans. I still think they're the greatest fans of baseball."

And he claims he feels their pain.

"They have the right to boo people because they've been waiting for 99 years and sometimes we don't go a good job and they get frustrated too," Zambrano said.

General manager Jim Hendry wants to believe Zambrano is getting better at keeping his emotions in check on the field.

"I think he's going to get better," Hendry said. "He's going to get better, and I think this may be one of those days where he learned a valuable lesson and maybe makes some adjustment before it goes any further.

"I think it hit him real hard today, and I think it will help him move on to the next step."

Hendry says part of Zambrano's problem is that he tries too hard to be perfect.

"I think Carlos is trying so hard to do well that he gets totally frustrated as soon as something goes wrong, and he's got to do a better job of that," the GM said.

"He has such a strong desire to please everyone. He wants to win, he wants to throw shutouts, he wants to be perfect, he wants to hit home runs, he wants to steal bases, he unfortunately wants to go from first to home on doubles.

"There's a fine line of you don't want to tone him down too much, but you want him to channel things the right way," Hendry added. "I think he gets upset and disappointed in himself when everything doesn't go perfect. It's OK to give up a run or 2 and win some games 6-4.

"I think he wants perfection and greatness every time, and sometimes that can fight against you."

Hendry and Cubs president John McDonough met with Zambrano when he got to Wrigley Field on Tuesday, but the pitcher insisted he was not forced to apologize.

"Even if they talked to me, I know that I made a mistake," Zambrano said. "I'm a grown man. I know when I make a mistake, I know when I do things wrong and I know when I have to come to whoever I offended. I don't think somebody had to tell me what to do."

But Hendry and McDonough made sure Zambrano knew that criticizing the fans, especially Cubs fans who pack Wrigley Field religiously, was a no-no of the worst kind.

"It's certainly not going to be condoned by John or myself or anyone that works here," Hendry said. "I'm sure he went to bed last night feeling bad, and I'm sure he woke up this morning feeling worse.

"Nobody made him say anything or told him he had to do something. He knew he made a mistake, and I think he's very disappointed in himself."

Hendry said the club would take no disciplinary action against Zambrano.

"Unfortunately, he let his frustrations and lack of success yesterday get in the way of better judgment," Hendry said. "I don't think it has to be said how we really feel about our fan base, that it's the greatest in the world.

"Carlos just made a mistake. I don't think any of us believe he really feels that way."

Many of Zambrano's teammates gave him their support.

"I think the only reason you should get booed is for a lack of effort," first baseman Derrek Lee said, "and I think we all know that's not the case with Carlos."

"Carlos is a guy who's intense, and I really respect that part of his game," shortstop Ryan Theriot added. "(Getting booed) is a tough spot for any player to be in, but the fans have that right. In Carlos' defense, there's not another pitcher who plays the game as hard as he does."

Lou Piniella was ready to turn the page.

"I'm proud of the fact that he did apologize," the Cubs' manager said. "Everybody's entitled to make a mistake."