Grudge patch: Carlos Zambrano makes nice with Jim Edmonds

By Paul Sullivan

Chicago Tribune

May 15, 2008

Carlos Zambrano buried the hatchet with Jim Edmonds on Wednesday and apologized Thursday for his angry display against the former St. Louis outfielder during a heated Cubs-Cardinals game in July 2004.

'Whatever happened in the past is already in the past,' Zambrano said. 'Let's move on. I don't have nothing against Edmonds, and I don't think he has nothing against me. We shook hands [Wednesday]. That was part of the game. If there's anyone who has to apologize to somebody, it's me. That was part of an immature guy, and there are some things I now know I can't do.'

Zambrano was ejected for allegedly throwing at Edmonds in a game in which he screamed at the outfielder while he rounded the bases after a home run. Edmonds said the incident has 'been over for a long time' in his mind.

'There are guys out there who hate each other more than he and I do,' Edmonds said. 'They'll all play together eventually too.'

Until Edmonds arrived Wednesday night to sign with the Cubs, the two had not spoken to each other since the incident. Zambrano said he tried to talk to him once before.

'Two years ago, [but] his head was down,' he said. 'I tried to say something, but he walked away.'

Why is Edmonds so controversial?

'That's a good question,' Zambrano said. 'I don't know. What happened [in 2004] was because I was immature. He hit a home run and I was frustrated after Scott Rolen hit a home run. I didn't try to hit him. I pitched in, and the ball cut too much.'

Zambrano said they probably will joke about it after they get to know each other better. After prompting by reporters to prove their feud was history, the two hugged each other in the Cubs clubhouse before Wednesday's game.

'Like one of my teammates told me the other day, you may hate him when he plays with the opposite team, but you love him when he plays for your team,' Zambrano said. 'There will be time for me to get to know him and get more details about him.'

Ward update Daryle Ward's trip to the disabled list will occur sometime this weekend, and the Cubs will call up outfielder Micah Hoffpauir from Triple-A Iowa. Ward has a bulging disc in his lower back but isn't expected to miss more than a couple of weeks.

'He's no worse now than when [his double] won the game Sunday,' general manager Jim Hendry said.

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