06-05-2009, 11:43 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->CINCINNATI -- The yin and yang of Carlos Zambrano has been on full display over the past 10 days.
The rogue warrior who smashes Gatorade dispensers and blows off team charters was absent Friday night at Great American Ball Park, replaced by the dominating pitcher who can also beat you with one swing of the bat.
But after earning his 100th career victory in a 2-1 triumph over Cincinnati, Zambrano vowed to retire in five years.
"After this contract, I'm gone," he said. "I'll betcha $100. I'm serious."
In his first start since serving a six-game suspension, Zambrano hit the game-winning home run and threw 6 2/3 shutout innings.
Many consider Randy Johnson the last 300-game winner, partly because quality pitchers make so much money they won't hang around to earn such milestones.
Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal through 2012, with a vesting option for 2013 at $19.25 million. So why would he retire at 33?
"Because I don't want to play," he said. "I want to help this team. I want to do everything possible to win with this team. And after five years, four years, or whatever is left on my contract. ...
"You know how many Mother's Days I haven't spent with my mother? Twelve. You know how many things I've been [missing] in my life? It's good to be here, it's good to play baseball. But in five years. ... I will retire. And I won't have to see you anymore."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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The rogue warrior who smashes Gatorade dispensers and blows off team charters was absent Friday night at Great American Ball Park, replaced by the dominating pitcher who can also beat you with one swing of the bat.
But after earning his 100th career victory in a 2-1 triumph over Cincinnati, Zambrano vowed to retire in five years.
"After this contract, I'm gone," he said. "I'll betcha $100. I'm serious."
In his first start since serving a six-game suspension, Zambrano hit the game-winning home run and threw 6 2/3 shutout innings.
Many consider Randy Johnson the last 300-game winner, partly because quality pitchers make so much money they won't hang around to earn such milestones.
Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal through 2012, with a vesting option for 2013 at $19.25 million. So why would he retire at 33?
"Because I don't want to play," he said. "I want to help this team. I want to do everything possible to win with this team. And after five years, four years, or whatever is left on my contract. ...
"You know how many Mother's Days I haven't spent with my mother? Twelve. You know how many things I've been [missing] in my life? It's good to be here, it's good to play baseball. But in five years. ... I will retire. And I won't have to see you anymore."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena. ![[Image: ITgoyeg.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ITgoyeg.png)