Zambrano apologizes to teammates ... on ESPN

Carlos Zambrano's first public words of apology came Monday.

But they weren't spoken directly to his teammates. They went through ESPN.

Zambrano, who did not speak with the Chicago media last week while in Iowa for a minor-league rehab stint, gave an interview to Pedro Gomez of ESPN.

During the interview, Zambrano apologized for his June 25 dugout tirade at U.S. Cellular Field. The outburst came after Zambrano gave up 4 runs in the first inning to the White Sox. First baseman Derrek Lee seemed to be the main target of Zambrano's outburst.

"It was a moment of frustration," Zambrano told ESPN. "I was trying to fire up the team. Lee told me to shut up, and I got more excited. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. The last person I would be mad at is D-Lee; he's a Gold Glover. I was just mad at myself."

Zambrano said he already has apologized to Lee.

"I texted Lee two days after it happened, and we talked after that," Zambrano said. "I apologized to him, and he responded well. He's a professional. He's one of the best teammates you can have."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent Zambrano home after the tirade, and the Cubs suspended him before sending him for anger-management treatment.

"A lot of people have told me I need to change if I want to be successful," Zambrano said. "Thank God the Cubs have sent me to the doctor for anger management. I've had three sessions already - doing exercises. I have to write down every time I get mad."

The Cubs are in Houston, and Zambrano is expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Colorado. Manager Lou Piniella was asked by reporters in Houston about Zambrano talking with the media before his teammates.

Part of the ostensible reason for Zambrano not talking to the media in Iowa was that he wanted to put things right with his teammates first.

'I don't have any comments on that one way or another, but I do know what's needed and what is necessary is for him to talk to his teammates, and when he gets here this weekend - I'm assuming he'll be here over the weekend - that he get that hurdle over with and he'll be accepted by his teammates, by his manager and by his coaching staff," Piniella said.

The Cubs come home next Monday, and Zambrano will have to win over the Wrigley Field fans.

"If I play better and do the right things, everything will be fine in Chicago," Zambrano told ESPN. "I love the fans and the city. I do not want to leave Chicago. I came on a mission, and I want that (World Series) ring."