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Victor Zambrano
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 426 of 1234 players
Victor Manuel Zambrano
Born: August 6, 1975 at Los Teques, Venezuela
Throws: Right Bats: Both
Height: 6.00 Weight: 203

Victor Zambrano was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on August 6, 2004, and June 1, 2005.

First Mets game: August 5, 2004
Last Mets game: May 6, 2006

Share your memories of Victor Zambrano HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Jonathan Stern September 1, 2004 We trade Scott Kazmir, a stud prospect in his early 20's, to the Devil Rays for Victor Zambrano, a veteran with a history of arm problems. Zambrano assures the Mets that he's okay, while the Mets, in turn, conduct an examination and conclude that he is, in fact, physically sound. They also defame Kazmir's character in the press upon trading him, while voicing their concerns regarding his potential for serious injury. Kazmir has been called up by the Devil Rays. For his part, Zambrano pitched 1 2/3 innings for the Mets before hurting his arm and being pulled. Oh, by the way, the Mets went on to lose to the Rockies, 6-4. At this point, I am starting to wonder whether the Mets actually want to be the laughingstocks of baseball. They don't, of course, but seriously, how many different ways can a franchise utterly humiliate itself? And what will they say if/when Kris Benson, obtained from Pittsburgh at the same time as the Zambrano deal, does not sign with the Mets after all? What in the name of M. Donald Duck is going on behind the scenes in Flushing? The madness continues. Tom September 1, 2004 This is what we got for Scott Kazmir? I feel sick! vemmerf September 1, 2004 One day this guy is going to be remembered in the same class with Jim Fregosi. Joe Figliola September 9, 2004 Gee, I didn't hear all these negative comments about the trade when Zambrano pitched well and won his first two decisions. It's only after his injury and Kazmir winning his first start (he has since been bombed) that everyone's been screaming. My problem with this trade is that it was too thin. I think that both sides needed to add players in what could have been one blockbuster of a deal. Had the Mets offered more (Matt Peterson and Cliff Floyd, for example), perhaps they could have added Carl Crawford (a great leadoff/average/triples hitter) or Rocco Baldelli (a steady .280 hitter with some pop and a pretty decent arm) to their roster. Leave Zambrano alone. He was so upset when he got hurt... at least he gives a damn about playing and trying to give a good show. Let's wait a year or so before we can start playing the blame game. Bob Sagget September 24, 2004 This guy has good stuff but he is pretty wild with a ton of walks. To trade your best pitching prospect for him is crazy. He is not that good. The trade is supposed to be for now and the future but they traded away the brightest star in the organization for a guy with a bad arm. Dumb, dumb, dumb. This will be a huge mistake in a few years. I hope Zambrano does well but I hope Kazmir does well too. Too bad they paased on Kazmir for Soriano earlier in the year. That would have made a lot more sense. Joe P. September 27, 2004 There are 2 things that I am certain about- that Scott Kazmir will be a dominating pitcher in baseball (as he has done all throughout his minor league career - just look at his numbers while with the Brooklyn Cyclones for a sample ), & that Victor Zambrano will lead the list of the worst Mets' trades ever. Mr. Sparkle November 18, 2004 I was in Binghamton to catch a B-Mets game on Friday July 30th hoping to catch the phenom Scott Kazmir start a game. I'm standing in front of a black board with the line up written on it and I see Kazmir's name as the starting pitcher so I'm pumped. Then a guy comes up and tells me that they traded him. So I'm floored since I think this is their best pitching prospect since Dwight Gooden. So I say to the guy "For who, Randy Johnson?" And he says no, Victor Zambrano. What? VICTOR ZAMBRANO!! Are you kidding me? This guy has thrown 96 walks in 128 innings! That is atrocious! And they trade their best pitching prospect in 20 years for him! I don't get it. I immediately thought, well how come they didn't trade him for Alfonso Soriano? That I could understand. But for a mediocre pitcher with control problems? Then you find out later he had arm problems the Mets knew about before they traded for him. What the hell are they thinking? I know everyone loves Rick Peterson but come on! Did Al Leiter really black ball Kazmir? That shouldn't happen in any organization. I know prospects don't always pan out and Mets prospects in particular don't but if I'm wrong about Kazmir than I will never care about another prospect again. Then again I thought Ed Yarnall was a can't miss prospect. They say Zambrano has "good stuff" but that's what they said about Dave Mlicki and other than his one start in the first subway series game ever, what they hell did he ever do? I doubt Zambrano will be a stud. Danny Baseball November 19, 2004 This is yet again another Mets mistake. We traded away the second coming of Jerry Koosman for this dud with bad pitching mechanics. This guy's arm problems are caused because he puts too much stress on his elbow but I guess these are the same dopes who scouted Kaz Matsui. I'm telling you if I were a drug dealer I'd supply the Mets scouts their drugs. Orange & Blue February 7, 2005 Mets fans should give this guy a chance. Granted they should have never traded Kazmir for him, but this guy has good stuff. Not too many teams have a # 4 starter like this guy. If Peterson can teach him some contol, and he can avoid injury the Mets will have something. mets23 February 28, 2005 Escobar, Ochoa, Toca, Heilman, Seo, Paul Wilson, Pulsipher, etc...were all "sure things" when they were tearing up the minors. I even remember one analyst saying Ochoa had the best tools he's seen since Roberto Clemente. I wonder how many of these self proclaimed talent experts will own up and eat crow if Kazmir doesn't pan out. Give Zambrano a chance because no prospect, especially a high school pitcher, is a sure thing. Just ask Todd Van Poppel, who is trying to make the team this spring. Choo Choo March 6, 2005 It doesn't matter whether Zambrano pans out or if Kazmir flops. The bottom line is that Kazmir was a hot commodity and the Mets should have gotten more in a trade. Nothing that either player does will change that. Joe P. March 14, 2005 As I watched Zambrano get lit up in Vero Beach, then read the next day in Newsday that Kazmir was named the D'Rays number 3 starter, it makes this deal look even dumber than it did at last year's deadline. Regardless of what Ricky P may profess, we will rue the day this deal took place. The only thing that Victor Z can take out of this horrible part of his short career that will surely end in his release will be that Jim Fregosi will owe him a beer for getting him relieved from the short end of the worst trade in the Metropolitan's history. Mr. Sparkle April 25, 2005 I'm trying real hard to not hate this guy but it's not working. He drives me crazy. He's "got good stuff" but he's got a hard time getting it over the plate and then when he does, it gets whacked all over the ball park. He's got potential but he's a lot of work that I don't think Rick Peterson is quite up to the task. Even if Kazmir does not pan out, how do you trade your top chip for a very questionable guy? We should have gotten better quality for our crown jewel. Zambrano could be gone before the season is over if he doesn't get whatever Peterson is preaching. Frank Grimes May 2, 2005 He REALLY blows. I would hate to bat against him because you're not sure if the next pitch is coming for your head or not. He's hit five batters in 5 starts, has given up 35 hits in 26 innings. He's walked 17, his WHIP ratio is a horrendous 1.97 and the league is hitting .324 against him. What the hell did they see in this guy to give away their best prospect for him? I can see trading Kazmir for a good pitcher but Zambrano isn't even average. He blows big time. Tampa must be laughing over this one. Kazmir has yet to set the world on fire but Zambrano shouldn't even be on the team. murphy May 12, 2005 I have officially had it with Zambrano. Yesterday's game exemplifies why I despise him. The Mets score 2 in the top of the second inning against Mark Prior and Zambrano has the bottom of the order coming up. He gets the first out, then hits the next batter after getting ahead 1-2. After a wind-blown single, Zambrano uncorks 2 wild pitches while facing Prior to score a run and adds insult to injury by walking the opposing pitcher on a 3-2 count. A ground out and a single follow, and the Mets are down 3-2. Zambrano only seems to throw strikes by sheer luck. I am begging the Mets hierarchy to send his worthless butt to the minor leagues, the DL or the scrap heap ASAP. I can't take it any more. Jeff D June 3, 2005 C'mon and eat your words. Did you see Mr. Z Wednesday night? He was simply fantastic. The trade has been made and we better hope that that night was a turning point for him. It was wonderful that he didn't allow the Reyes error to screw him up like it usually did in the past. Scott who? Mr. Sparkle October 13, 2005 Zambrano proved to be simply a bad and inconsistent pitcher throughout 2005. He had his moments but was always in trouble, threw a ton of pitches and although he was able to get out of jams some of the time should not have been in them in the first place if he wants to be a reliable starting pitcher. Overall I give him a D+ and that's generous. At the same time I read Scott Kazmir's name as a potential rookie of the year in the AL. I think we can offically call the trade a disaster. I think the only hope for Zambrano is to try to convert him into a set up man with hopes that he can close some day. Or I'd be happy to see him traded but you'll never get close to a Kazmir back. Barney Beaugareux December 21, 2005 I hate this guy with a passion. Everyone else points out the trade for Kazmir and that was truly horrible but Zambrano on his own has been a joke. He can't hit the strike zone on any consistent basis. He sometimes pitches well for 5 innings and then implodes. He's always on the ropes and sometimes gets out of it but always makes you sweat. It's like watching Doug Sisk as a starter. Let's admit the mistake and get rid of this guy. Then again, who the hell would want him? Kingofqueens718 April 28, 2006 Since the night I heard about this trade on WFAN I've been asking myself this question.... Why Jim Duquette....why? David Klein May 3, 2006 The guy finds about 100 different ways to lose a game, and look horrible doing it. Is his ten minutes with Peterson up yet? larry_burns_springfield May 5, 2006 This guy should have pitched for the pre-2004 Boston Red Sox. He could choke on sherbert. He is terrible and will ALWAYS find a way to lose a game. I am beginning to react like some of my college buddies who would turn off Red Sox games when Bob Stanley came in, I cannot watch him. He is terrible and he takes too much time on the mound. Trade him for Cookie Rojas! Adam May 7, 2006 He tore a tendon in his elbow yesterday and is out for the season. Is it wrong that I feel more happy than disappointed? Dankind80 May 7, 2006 His Mets career has come to an end. Having hid an elbow problem twice since the trade, both have resulted in season-ending injuries. Tommy John surgery normally affects control and velocity, and considering his already questionable pitches, I think it's safe to say his pitching days are over. To hide an injury from your team is just begging for trouble. He told Darren Oliver a few days ago that he was having issues with his arm, but nothing was brought to the attention of Randolph, Peterson, or Minaya. Jeez, even Pedro said he wouldn't have let him pitch had he known about the elbow. The media and fans put a heck of a lot of pressure on the one man involved in the trade who knew he couldn't live up to Kazmir. Rocks for brains and a terrible walk/strikeout ratio. Buh-bye, Vic. Jason May 19, 2006 This guy is done with the Mets, and his career is probably over. Saw him last year in spring training, and saw how the coaches were talking to him; like a 3 year old. Really came across as not the smartest guy on the block. Phil Thiegou May 19, 2006 Sparkle was right. At times he pitches like Sandy Koufax, then the next inning he would pitch like Sandy Duncan. He could strike out a juiced up Barry Bonds blindfolded then give up a hit parade to a bunch of Mendoza line residents. Maybe he blew out his elbow 'coz he tried TOO much. Too bad his elbow wasn't as strong as his heart. Although whenever Scott Kazmir pitches a gem for the D-Rays, the Mets announcers and guys on WFAN put some oomph behind that report. John L. June 28, 2006 Has become one of the most depressing footnotes in Mets history! FrankieB July 12, 2006 I don't blame Zambrano, he was in a tough spot, but the awful truth of the matter is that the trade for this guy was THE WORST trade in NY Mets history. Worse than Ryan. Worse than Seaver. Worse than Dykstra. We still haven't learned the whole story of how this idiocy took place. Although we know the end result -- a blue-chip lefty fireballer and All-Star is no longer with us, and Omar Minaya is our counselation prize. Yes, 'counselation' prize, not consolation prize. A lot of us will need counseling on a shrink's couch when we think of this trade. Dalkowski September 15, 2006 Victor Zambrano's baseball career is probably done. He's injured his arm so many times that I can't see him ever starting another game in professional baseball. Maybe as a reliever, but not as a starter. The guy had problems even in his first two wins. I recall him having excessive control problems...and his pitches weren't of the mid- 90's mph type where one can at least get away with that. Little more than a starting version of Doug Sisk, except Sisk could at least stay healthy. Mr. Sparkle July 5, 2007 Hasn't pitched in Toronto since May 8. Not sure what happened to him. His ERA is over 10.00 and his WHIP is 2.91. He's pitched in 8 games this year, 2 starts, for a total of 10.2 innings. That is atrocious. Meanwhile Scott Kazmir is 5-5 with an unimpressive 4.28 ERA and a WHIP of 1.56 which is not very good. Kazmir walks way too many batters. Brendan September 16, 2007 I don't know what all of you are talking about. This guy was fantastic and it was excellent trade for the Mets. Who wouldn't want someone whose arm fell off in literally the second game he ever pitched? It reminded me of Jim Fregosi. But it doesn't stop there! Typical Mets organization bonehead moves, refusing to give up on the guy for what seemed like an injury plagued era. All I ever heard from Mets brass was that Zambrano was on the comeback, but if you saw the way he pitched against the Rockies that fateful day, you know that he was doomed right from the start. What a hopeless loser - he should have stayed as a position player, maybe he would have been useful to us then. Michael September 21, 2007 NO reason to call Zambrano a loser. Yes the trade was and is horrible but HE didn't make the trade. Stop taking it out on him. Mitch45 October 1, 2007 Zambrano was a decent pitcher who got caught up in a terrible trade and unfairly became the subject of unfair derision by cruel Mets fans. Zambo was a big fish in a tiny pond (Tampa) and was thrust into the limelight by Jim Duquette. Zambo felt bad about Mets fans frustrations and tried very hard to pitch well, but he was limited by injuries and ability. His career may very well be over because he played hurt while a Met, trying to placate fans. Zambo was a good guy in a very tough, unfair spot. Hoarce October 6, 2007 The Orioles somehow crossed paths with this guy, he wasnt exactly stellar: 0-1 with a 9.49 era. We released him today, surprise surprise surprise. Kazmir 13-9 3.49 with 240 Ks. There should be a line of Met fans jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. scott r January 7, 2009 I feel bad for the guy. Not his fault. Part of one the worst trades of all time and blows out his arm. For 2½ season with Mets has one decent season to show for it.

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