Carlos Zambrano Hopes to Make Big League Comeback With Chicago Dogs
Zambrano is hoping to make a big league comeback at the age of 37
By Mike Berman ••
Carlos Zambrano is launching a baseball comeback in the city where he first became a star. NBC 5’s Mike Berman talked to the Chicago Dogs’ newest star before Opening Day on Friday.
There are 11 players who are returning for a second season with the Chicago Dogs baseball team, but a newcomer is stealing all the attention.
“I actually made the joke, ‘I don’t get why you’re getting all the attention. I’m the local legend around here,’” pitcher Rich Mascheri said.
That newcomer generating all the buzz is former Major League pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who at the age of 37 is trying to make a comeback into the big leagues.
The long-time Cubs hurler will serve as a set-up man and occasional designated hitter for the Dogs, who open their season on Friday, and he said that the inspiration for his comeback came from an unlikely source.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A ball and a Chicago Bears helmet are seen on the sidelines during a preseason game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Tackle Bobby Massie signs a four-year contract extension to remain with the Bears.
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The Bears take the first step to replace Cody Parkey, signing Redford Jones to a reserve contract.
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Another long-time Bear is let go, as linebacker Sam Acho was released.
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Bears tight end Ben Braunecker sticks around, signing a two-year contract extension.
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Offensive lineman Ted Larsen returns to the Bears, signing a one-year contract as free agency begins.
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The Bears made a move at running back, singing Mike Davis to a two-year contract.
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The Bears found their replacement for Bryce Callahan, signing Buster Skrine to a three-year contract.
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Cordarrelle Patterson signs a two-year contract with the Bears, aims to be their primary kick returner in 2019.
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After the Green Bay Packers signed Adrian Amos away from the Bears, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract
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3/14: Safety Adrian Amos leaves the Bears to sign a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
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Wide receiver Marvin Hall signs a one-year contract.
Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy signs a deal with the New York Jets.
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Cornerback Bryce Callahan signs a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rejoining Vic Fangio.
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Wide receiver Kevin White signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Punter Pat O’Donnell and quarterback Tyler Bray both sign one-year contracts with the Bears.
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The Bears trade running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
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The Bears sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
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The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Aaron Lynch to a one-year contract. Lynch had three sacks and four tackles for loss in the 2018 season.
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The following players were signed during the offseason to reserve/future contracts: Dejon Allen, Abdullah Anderson, Willie Beavers, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Cyril Grayson, Michael Joseph, Cornelius Lucas, Jonathon Mincy, Ryan Nall, James Vaughters, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Josh Woods
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G.M. Ryan Pace has aggressively been seeking to replace Cody Parkey as the team's kicker, and two players under contract were cut from the competition as Redford Jones and John Baron II were cut, while the team has decided to keep Elliott Fry and Chris Blewitt.
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The Bears signed three of their draft picks, including fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and seventh round picks Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Stephen Denmark. Third round pick David Montgomery remains unsigned, as does cornerback Duke Shelley.
“Five different pastors from all over the world came to me, and they don’t know each other, and they told me that God wants me to go back to baseball,” Zambrano said.
Dogs Manager Butch Hobson has said he will use Zambrano in a variety of roles with the team.
“He has talked to God, and God wants him to pitch,” Hobson said. “I’m not going to argue with that at all.”
Zambrano has already become a big attraction as the season nears. He went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for the Dogs as he was the designated hitter in Wednesday’s exhibition finale, and tickets to the team’s home opener at Impact Field in Rosemont have sold out.
“I know we are in independent ball, but people still love the Cubs,” Zambrano said. “The people that come here love the Cubs and each player that played for the Cubs.”
The Friendly Confines seems like it’s much farther away than the 13 miles that separate Impact Field and Wrigley Field, but Zambrano invoked a current Cub who he’s looking to emulate as he attempts a remarkable comeback to the big leagues.
“When I used to throw hard, I used to challenge hitters. Now I have to be more careful than Kyle Hendricks,” he said. “My pitches are there. I’ve got a good split, a good slider, and my ball is moving a lot. So I’m ready.”
Zambrano is already making an impact both in the community, as he’s donating his Dogs salary to charity, and on his teammates, for whom he has bought meals and participated in various bonding activities.
“Our status quo is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and some chips, so for him to buy us a hot meal before and after games has been awesome,” teammate Treyson Vavra said.
Although tickets for the team’s home opener against the Gary Southshore Railcats are sold out, tickets remain for Saturday and Sunday’s contests at the ballpark.
