Why Carlos Zambrano Will Never Achieve His Potential

Here's a guy with a 97 mile-an-hour fastball, a Roger Clemens body-type, 12 career homeruns in 398 at-bats, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds playing in his division. Yet he can't seem to top 16 wins in a season. And here's a bold prediction...he never will. Want to know why? Because he's an absolute headcase.

For Treinta Ocho, 2007 has been a tale of three seasons. There's been "pre-fight-with-Michael Barrett," "post-fight-with-Michael-Barrett," and "August on." For fun, let's call them 2007A, 2007B, and 2007C. For even more fun, let's show you how they compare:

2007A (April 2-June 1) 5-5, 5.62 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 1.50 K:BB (12 starts)
2007B (June 6-July 29) 9-2, 1.41 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 2.48 K:BB (11 starts)
2007C (August 3-Now) 0-5, 8.29 ERA, 1.99 WHIP, 1.23 K:BB (6 starts)

This is the same guy. And yet he wonders why normally cordial Cub fans are booing him.

"I can't understand that," Zambrano said. "They showed me today they just care about them. That's no fair. Because when you are struggling, that's when you want to feel the support of the fans."

Maybe they're pissed, TO, because you're allowing more than an earned run an inning since signing a fat contract extension through 2012. Maybe they're pissed, TO, because your inconsistency is the only consistent part of your game, even though you're 26 and in your 6th full season. Maybe they're pissed, TO, because your team is counting on you down the stretch. You complained about not having a new deal in spring training. Now you have one, your team is clinging to a division lead, and you're pitching like Victor Zambrano.

Mark my words, TO's career-high win total won't top 16, and in a few years, the Cubs will be kicking themselves for giving this baby more money.