Zambrano drama a Z-creation

You might not be wrong if you were left to surmise that Carlos Zambrano yanked himself from a game this week because he was mad.

Look - to borrow Lou Piniella's favorite word - Zambrano's done stranger things.

See, as near as anyone can tell, there's nothing wrong physically with Zambrano today that wasn't wrong three weeks ago, three months ago and three years ago.

If you gave an MRI to every pitcher on the Cubs' roster, to everyone who's ever thrown a pitch, a punch or a peppercorn, you'd find tendinitis and inflammation somewhere in the shoulder, and almost certainly in one or more of the rotators.

The reality is Zambrano on Tuesday threw better than he has since the all-star break, at least in terms of velocity and stuff, though his location at times fell victim to his emotions and need to overthrow.

In his last inning of work, the fifth, he was still hitting 95 mph on the gun.

But he walked off the mound screaming into his glove and pounding his mitt, presumably angry about a bad 0-2 pitch he threw that touched off a rough inning.

Maybe it was that walk that loaded the bases, or maybe he thought Derrek Lee should have been closer to the bag when Miguel Tejada singled past him to drive in a pair and tie the game.

So, in the bottom of the fifth, with the Cubs batting, and two on and one out, Zambrano suddenly informed Larry Rothschild that he was done, and Zambrano departed.

Up until that moment, no one knew anything was wrong, not by his velocity, his delivery, his actions or his words.

And now two medical examinations confirm precisely that. Zambrano is just as he was several months ago, a major-league pitcher who's tired and achy.

Show me one in September that isn't.

But, in the ensuing panic and breathlessness, there was concern Zambrano's career was over and his life in danger.

It is something less than that, and quite possible he will win out if his head is on straight. If not, and he's seriously hurt, so be it.

The Cubs have done without him, essentially, since the end of July, when they had a 5-game lead over Milwaukee, exactly as it is today.

What they could do without now is the daily drama and having to protect him publicly while looking like fools and taking the bullets for him.

But if they didn't, he might be perceived as a guy who walked out on his team in the middle of a pennant race.

And that wouldn't do anyone any good.

Pitching rich

Zambrano hasn't been the Cubs' best pitcher since the day they acquired Rich Harden, who will also pull one foot out of the grave to pitch next week.

But this is also no mystery.

Harden said a few days ago that for the most part he's had discomfort in his shoulder for five years, and that he could have continued pitching the remainder of the season had the Cubs not decided to rest him.

But they have bigger games in mind for Harden, games that are played in October, when he should be the Cubs' No. 1 starter.

At least nine times in the nine weeks since they acquired Harden, GM Jim Hendry has said rest would be necessary.

He also said fatigue and pain were to be expected from a guy who's been on the disabled list six times in three years.

The uproar now is mildly amusing considering that in July and August the Cubs' gave Harden eight days' rest once, seven days' rest another time, and five days' rest twice.

Yes, Harden's been terrific, but for Harden to be Harden, he needs time off.

In other news, it rained Thursday and the sun came up today.

Congrats

To longtime Northwest suburban resident Phil Rizzo, a 40-year veteran, on his recent induction into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.

"They say that scouts are the backbone of the game. Well, why isn't there a scout in Cooperstown?'' asked Rizzo, whose son Mike is the assistant GM in Washington. "That's a crime and I don't mind saying it. It's just wrong.''

Right on, Riz.

Body by Sam

Leadership is more than hitting home runs, and some of the Cubs' highly-paid players have been hanging their heads and dragging their bats a lot lately after failing at the plate or in the field, body language reminiscent of their former right fielder whenever he failed to hit a ball 500 feet.

This crawling back to the dugout does not exactly inspire confidence among teammates.

Best quote

Lou Piniella: "We're in a little rut right now. We haven't had many this year, but I've been around some pretty good teams in my time, and I've never seen one that didn't struggle. Better now than later.''

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "NFL disappointed Hurricane Gustav not destructive enough to give New York teams additional home games.''

Just thinking

Bears 23, Colts 22

And finally -

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on Dwyane Wade winning a gold medal: "He's young, handsome, famous and stupid rich. Giving D-Wade more bling is like giving Usain Bolt a head start.''

brozner@dailyherald.com