Carlos Zambrano wasn't dying for it, but Lou Piniella gave it to him anyway. That is, the assignment to start for the Cubs on Opening Day. Lou also announced his Opening Day batting order weeks ago; look for him to provide the final score sometime in the next week.)
This will mark the fourth consecutive year in which Zambrano has pitched on Opening Day:
| Year | Pitcher | Opp. | IP | ER | DEC |
| '07 | Zambrano | CIN | 5 | 5 | L |
| '06 | Zambrano | CIN | 4.2 | 5 | nd |
| '05 | Zambrano | AZ | 4.2 | 3 | nd |
| '04 | Wood | CIN | 5 | 4 | W |
| '03 | Wood | NYM | 5 | 2 | W |
| '02 | Lieber | CIN | 5 | 3 | nd |
| '01 | Lieber | MONT | 7 | 3 | nd |
| '00 | Lieber | NYM | 7 | 1 | W |
| '99 | Trachsel | HOU | 6 | 4 | L |
| '98 | Tapani | FLA | 2 | 9 | L |
Notice the choice in 2000–2002. I wonder whatever happened to him.
Labels: Carlos Zambrano, Jon Lieber, Lou Piniella, Opening Day
