Zambran Oh No!
In the second inning of yesterday’s game VÃctor Zambrano was visited on the mound by manager Willie Randolph. Randolph asked the hurler how he was feeling. Zambrano replied that he was fine. Randolph left the mound and let Zambrano continue pitching. The next two pitches would be Zambrano’s last of the year.
Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reports in today’s edition that Zambrano suffered a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow and is done for the year. Various reports say that Zambrano had been feeling discomfort in the elbow recently and even told some teammates. But he kept this information from Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and general manager Omar Minaya.
Zambrano is taking a beating in the press this morning for this move but Mets ace Pedro Martinez defended Zambrano’s seemingly idiotic move. Martinez said Zambrano did it “because of the damn pressure you guys (the media) put on him”.
I think it’s great that Pedro defends his friend this way and I have alot of respect for him. But in this case I have to differ with him. Zambrano is a professional and responsible person. He knows that if he’s not well there’s no ammount of pressure that should make him feel he has to pitch. He knows the risks of a starting pitcher playing with an injury. He knows the damage it could do to his career and his livlihood. And he knows what it does to his team.
The bottom line is that there is no excuse for a professional in team sports or in any profession to put himself ahead of the team. Have a nice year off, Victor.
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