Fastball Fans

Today, the Chicago Cubs placed their star pitcher, Carlos Zambrano, on the 15-day disabled list with a minor right shoulder strain and expect him to miss two starts.

“There’s nothing wrong,” Zambrano said. “We just have to be careful, take some time, give it a rest, come back stronger.”

Right now, the Cubs have enough offense to supplant the loss of Biz Z, but is he’s gone longer — the team will suffer.

Pitcher Curt Schilling will have surgery on his ailing right shoulder Monday, ending his season and possibly his career. He will have the operation after a rehabilitation program preferred by the team failed to fix the tendon injury that sparked a spring training dispute between doctors about how to treat it. “My season is over and there is a pretty decent chance I have thrown my last pitch forever,” Schilling said yesterday on WEEI radio in Boston.

After trying in vain to keep an underachieving Toronto roster out of last place this season, John Gibbons has been relieved of his duties as of this morning.

And his replacement, Cito Gaston???

Good luck, Mr. Gibbons; however, I can never respect you for going into Smackdown mode with Ted Lilly and Shea Hillenbrand.

According to the AP, Milwaukee’s first baseman Prince Fielder owes more than $400,000 in unpaid taxes, according to a published report. Fielder declined to comment. An IRS spokesman told the Associated Press that Fielder could have made payments or even paid the debt off but that it might not be recorded yet. The Detroit News’ Tax Watchdog blog published Tuesday a copy of the IRS’ Notice of Federal Tax Lien filed against Fielder on Oct. 6, 2005.

Do you think they feel sorry for him, or are they more concerned with themselves? I am sensing it’s more of “good riddance” than “it’s four fault”.

Give David Wright credit for at least being a stand-up guy.

The Yankees are desperate for pitching, so they re-signed troubled right-hander Sidney Ponson to a minor league contract Wednesday and he’ll start off in Triple-A.

With a history of off-the-field problems, Ponson was released Monday by the Texas Rangers for being a disruption to the team. He performed well on the mound, however, going 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA.

From ESPN: Cubs fan Dennis Garkey built a replica to Wrigley Field in his hometown…