Player Name: Carlos Zambrano
Sets From: 2000 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Topps Traded. Topps Chrome Traded.
Why are these cards a must have?: Big Z is one of my favorite players. I don’t know if it’s physique or his random thoughts of craziness, but I love the guy and I love watching him pitch. He has had a fantastic career so far, he came up in 2001 at only 20 years old and has stayed in the majors since 2002. He has won 13 or more games in each of his past six seasons. He 162 game average is 15-9/3.50/1.29 with 181 strikeouts. That is just impressive any way you shake it. Over the course of his career he has been selected to two All Star games, won two Silver Slugger awards (he has 16 career homers), top 5 Cy Young voting 3 times and an MVP finish. His 7.697 SO/9 rate is good for 37th all time. At just 28 years old he should still be in his prime, but numbers don’t lie and his strikeouts have decreased 2 straight seasons. He clearly doesn’t have the zip on his pitches he had when he was younger, but he clearly can still dominate as a pitcher, as evidence to his no-hitter last season. As far as the Hall goes, it won’t happen for him, figure 160 wins and in the neighborhood of 2500 strikeouts for his career. Still a player, whose rookie card you want in your collection.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 4, like I said I might be biased because I’m a fan of his, buit I think this is a solid rating for him. In the book they run about $4 – $12 on eBay you can find it for around $2 – $8. My favorite is the Bowman Chrome, there is also an autographed version of the Topps Traded card which will run you close to $100.
