A career that showed much promise closed a chapter today, as the Cubs traded Carlos Zambrano, their one-time ace and current problem child, to the Florida Miami Marlins, where we he will join fellow former Chicagoans Ozzie Guillen and Mark Buehrle.  Zambrano is almost the polar opposite of Buehrle, by far the more talented pitcher, but, due to his frequent meltdowns, was not able to utilize that talent.  When he was on his game, which he was for much of his early career on the Northside, he was one of the best in the game.  More recently, though, he has been known more for the troubles he has caused, whether it was fighting with Michael Barrett, Derrek Lee, and a Gatorade machine to finally walking out on the team after a disasterous start against the Braves last summer.  This is one of those moves where it was probably best for all involved to move on.

Personally, it will be a little difficult to see him go.  Discounting a brief callup the year before, Zambrano basically started his career in 2002, the year I first had season tickets to the Cubs.  From the run to the NLCS in 2003, the frequent drubbings on opening day starts, the back-to-back sweeps in the 07 and 08 NLDS, and, sadly, the constant fights with teammates, it feels like we’ve been through it together.

Here are his career numbers in games I have attended: Continue reading →