Chicago signed former Cardinals’ centerfield Jim Edmonds Thursday and there’s at least one Cub that’s not giddy about the acquisition.
Starter Carlos Zambrano apparently replied with “no comment” when asked about the signing of Edmonds.
The two players have a history dating back to a Cubs-Cardinals game at Wrigley Field on July 19, 2004, when Zambrano was ejected from a game for throwing at Edmonds.
Earlier in the game, Edmonds watched a home run off Zambrano land on Sheffield Avenue, causing Zambrano to shout at the outfielder as he rounded the bases.
“I told him, ‘Run the bases, don’t try to be cocky.’ ” Zambrano said afterward.Zambrano struck Edmonds out his next at-bat, and wagged his finger at him.
Zambrano then hit Edmonds with the first pitch after a Scott Rolen home run in the eighth inning, causing the ejection.
Zambrano refused to apologize, saying: “I don’t have to apologize to anybody. This is not a baby’s game. This is a man’s game.”
I know Felix Pie hasn’t set the world on fire in center this year for the Cubs, but Edmonds was brutal the first month of the season for San Diego. He looked completely lost at the plate and his defense – which was once a strength – looked below average as well. Can you imagine what will happen if Edmonds boots one in center when Zambrano is on the mound? Awesome.
