After years of watching him look the other way during each of the pitcher's outbursts, family members of Tommy O'Neile, 36, have finally convinced him to seek treatment for being an unwavering supporter of Carlos Zambrano. They knew things had reached the breaking point when O'Neile still stood behind the Cubs pitcher after he got into a shouting match with first baseman Derrek Lee.

"Hey, Lee totally started the argument," said O'Neile, an Arlington Heights resident. "He probably had it coming anyway."

When his family first approached him about treatment, O'Neile tenaciously opposed his family's wishes, but finally buckled under the constant pressure.

"I mean, my family is sending me to therapy just for backing Big Z. So what if he sometimes yells at teammates or destroys a water cooler or two. It's called motivation people. Somebody's gotta do something to break the curse. If people are put off by his fiery personality and $19 million salary, it's cause they're just jealous. Or idiotic White Sox fans."

Tommy's father, George, is relieved his son gave in to the wishes of the family, and will finally receive specialized care.

"Poor Tommy's been let down since he started following the Cubs when he was five. The whole 'this year is our year' thing and rooting for those lovable losers season after season was fine, but to think of Zambrano as a leader and an elite pitcher is just foolish. He's obviously misguided and needs professional help."

Around the Web:
Zambrano to receive treatment for anger issues (Chicago Tribune)
Zambrano to be Evaluated by Top Men (Talking Chicago Baseball)
Kevin Millar brings us inside the mind of Carlos Zambrano (Big League Stew)

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