"He will not be at the ballpark tomorrow, we'll play with 24” - When Cubs GM Jim Hendry punished Carlos Zambrano after his dugout tirade
During the 2010 season, the Chicago Cubs saw their star pitcher Carlos Zambrano lose his cool against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up four runs in the first inning and was furious when he came to the dugout after the inning ended.
Zambrano was screaming in the dugout and at nobody in particular. However, his teammate, Derek Lee, got frustrated with the behavior, and the two started to go at it.
You can watch the interaction below via Connor Smith's YouTube.
Zambrano's behavior led to him being sent home, and he was suspended indefinitely by the club. General manager Jim Hendry was critical of his pitcher's behavior, via ESPN:
"His conduct wasn't acceptable. His actions toward his teammates and staff were not acceptable. He will not be at the ballpark tomorrow. We'll play with 24. We'll play with 24 before we tolerate that kind of behavior" Hendry said.
Zambrano was known as a fiery competitor, but that fire was usually directed at the opposing team, not his teammates. However, even with that, the club seemed to be getting tired of his antics.
"People think that he hasn't been spoken to by Lou and his staff or the general manager before. Things are sometimes construed as being let go or let slide by - that's certainly not true," Henry said.
Cubs slugger Derek Lee was not too worried about the altercation with Carlos Zambrano
In sports, emotions often get the better of athletes, and that is what happened here. However, Derek Lee was not too worried about the aftermath of the altercation with Carlos Zambrano.
"We'll definitely stick together. Sometimes it's not easy. Right now, it's not an easy time. But you stick together, stay positive and fight through" Lee said.
Lee and Zambrano were important players for the Cubs. Lee knew this could not be a spat that went on all season long and knew the club would get through it.
Zambrano worked as the club's ace. He was coming off a season in 2008 where he no-hit the Houston Astros, but he was also dangerous with the bat in his hands.
Throughout his 12-year career in the big leagues, Zambrano finished with 24 home home runs. He was one of the few National League pitchers that fans would get excited about when he stepped inside the batter's box.