Zambrano Ejected, Gets Money's Worth

Whether you love him or hate him -- and there's likely no middle ground since he's so polarizing -- you have to admit one thing about Carlos Zambrano: He's entertaining as all get out. Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Zambrano was ejected after a brief stare-down with the home plate umpire, Mark Carlson. After he was tossed, though, were the true fireworks.

Zambrano has been suspended six games and fined $3,000 by MLB for his meltdown, which means he'll have one of his starts pushed back. Zambrano's agent said the penalty will not be appealed. Regardless, a six-game suspension is just a little extra rest for a starting pitcher.

Zambrano did throw a very solid game, but obviously didn't factor into the decision as he was ejected with a tie game. The Cubs did, on the strength of a Reed Johnson home run, win the game, 5-2.

As far as the call, I tip my cap to Carlson. In fast motion it appeared to be an awful call, but the slow-motion replays showed that Nyjer Morgan ever-so-slightly got his fingertips on home plate before Zambrano applied the tag. It was really an illustration of how great the baseball umpires are at their jobs. The missed calls always get the press, but, for the most part, they make the correct calls on bang-bang plays. They should get more credit for calls such as this one.

Classic Sports Tirades

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano flips out at home plate umpire Mark Carlson after being ejected, then unleashes his anger on the dugout gatorade machine. Click through to see more classic sports tirades.

Charles Rex Arbogast, AP

Who: Jim Calhoun
When: Feb. 21, 2009
Faced with irritating questions about his salary, the Connecticut coach fired back at a freelance journalist during a postgame news conference. "My best advice to you is, shut up," said Calhoun. Watch the video.

Karl Walter, Getty Images

Who: Pat Knight
When: Jan. 31, 2009
The Texas Tech head coach was ejected after running onto the court to protest a call in the Red Raiders' loss to Nebraska. Watch the video.

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Who: Jim Zorn
When: Oct. 26, 2008 during a press conference after the Redskins win over the Lions.
Apparently annoyed by a reporter's actions during one of his answers, Zorn snapped at the journalist, shouting "You keep rolling your eyes and I'm getting ticked off!" Watch the video.

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Who: Mike Singletary
When: Oct. 26, 2008 following San Francisco's loss to Seattle.
Singletary produced fireworks in his first postgame press conference as a head coach, laying into Niners tight end Vernon Davis, whom Singletary sent to the locker room for a second half penalty. Watch the video.

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Who: Terrell Owens
When: Jan. 13, 2008 after Dallas' playoff loss to the Giants.
T.O. could not keep his emotions in check following the Cowboys early playoff exit last year, launching into a tear-filled defense of quarterback Tony Romo. Watch the video.

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Who: Kevin Borseth
When: Feb. 28, 2008, moments after the Michigan women's basketball team lost to Wisconsin.
Borseth opened his press conference by slamming the game's stat sheet onto the podium, yelling "That's how I feel! I'm damn sick and tired of getting outrebounded!" Watch the video.

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Who: Mike Gundy
When: Sept. 24, 2007 during a postgame press conference.
Angered by a newspaper reporter's column criticizing quarterback Bobby Reid, Gundy unleashed a fiery rant that included the soon-to-be-famous words: "I'm a man! I'm 40!" Watch the video.

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Who: Avery Johnson
When: June 18, 2006 after Johnson's Mavericks lost an NBA Finals game to Miami.
Following a question about a foul against the Mavs, Johnson refused to answer, instead repeatedly - and increasingly angrily - asking the reporter for his thoughts on the play in question. Watch the video.

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Who: Dennis Green
When: Oct. 16, 2006 following an Arizona loss to Chicago.
Another press conference meltdown that instantly tagged a one-liner: "They are who we thought they were!" Green shouted that gem in the midst of a rant about the Bears. Watch the video.

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