For Cubs, Zambrano, sometimes it all works out

In this day and age of cynicism, especially when it comes to the mega-money world of professional sports, it's difficult to take anything anybody says at face value.

Once in awhile, though, people say things and then follow through on them.

All along, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, his agents and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry stated it was their goal to agree on a multiyear contract extension for Zambrano.

Even as negotiations went on hold as the future of the Cubs ownership came into question on Opening Day, both sides expressed optimism it would get done.

It got done Friday, and it all got done without public sniping. At Wrigley Field on Friday, I asked agent Barry Praver and Hendry about their sincerity.

"I'll tell you something," Praver said. "Carlos, I said before, he remained constant, even with the huge disappointment of not getting that deal done on Opening Day. He likes it here. His family is comfortable here. It's everything he said before. He wants to stay here. Like Jim told him, 'Carlos, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you stay.' "

Hendry put it this way: "Under the circumstances, I don't know that you could have better dealings from the management side with the agent or the player that we've had. I commend them not showing more frustration at the end of March, not making threats about leaving."

Maybe this time, everybody will live happily ever after.