[h2]Zambrano weighing in: Lighten up on Sandoval[/h2]
John Shea, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, March 11, 2010
(03-11) 04:00 PST Mesa, Ariz. --Carlos Zambrano had something to say Wednesday about his hometown buddy Pablo Sandoval and his weight issue: Let the Panda be.
"It's up to him. If he feels comfortable with that weight, it'sgood for him. If he doesn't feel comfortable and he thinks he needs tolose weight, it's good for him, too," said Zambrano, 28, the Cubs'pitcher who's from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, as is Sandoval, 23.
"Man, there are a lot of guys who played this game who were big. MoVaughn was one of these guys. (Andres) Galarraga used to be big, no?Cecil Fielder, you know? Prince Fielder. (Sandoval) can hit. It doesn'tmatter how big you are. It's a fact to stay in the big leagues, youhave to do the job, and he's done that. You have to give him morecredit for the ability he has."
The Giants strongly encouraged Sandoval to shed pounds, putting himthrough a rigid diet-and-exercise program (Operation Panda) beginningin the offseason. They said he reported to spring training at 262pounds, 12 more than what the goal for the season is believed to be.
Whatever the weight, Sandoval looked mighty fine Wednesday, hittinga grand slam off Zambrano in the Giants' 5-1 Cactus league victory.This was especially memorable because their relationship goes back towhen Sandoval was 7, according to Zambrano, and they recently made afriendly wager: Sandoval wanted to hit a home run off Zambrano, whowanted to strike him out.
Winner, Sandoval.
Zambrano said he'll worry more about results "when it counts. WhenI used to face Barry Bonds, you know how many home runs he hit off me?One, in spring training."
Sandoval was asked what he'd tell Zambrano next time they see eachother. "I'm not going to tell him nothing," said Sandoval, obviouslyrespecting his elders. But one day, Sandoval added, he can look back onthis and tell Zambrano, "Gotcha."
Zambrano said he first spotted Sandoval in a youth league. Whenattending games of the son of a friend, Julio Figueroa, he noticed anot-so-tiny kid smacking the ball around the field. It was Sandoval.Later, Sandoval played on a team sponsored by PDVSA, a petroleumcompany.
"You should've seen him at 13, 12, 11 years old," Zambrano said."You can see the talent in a young kid when they're growing up. He'sgoing to be good, man. He'll be one of the best hitters in the NationalLeague, and he proved it last year."
Likewise, Zambrano is one of the league's top pitchers. One of the biggest, too. He's listed at 6-foot-5 and 270.
"The city where I live," Sandoval said, "they create big guys."
Briefly: Jonathan Sanchez, who struck out fivebatters and walked none in three scoreless innings, was most pumpedabout picking off Ryan Theriot. Runners stole 24 bases on Sanchez'swatch last year, most in the league, and he has a better move to first,with help from pitching coach Dave Righetti. "You like it, huh?" asmiling Sanchez told a reporter who asked about the pickoff. ...Pitcher Joe Martinez was to have a precautionary MRI exam because ofsoreness in his right elbow area.
