Cliff Floyd is balancing the needs of his family with his job, providing support for his ailing father while trying to help the Cubs on the field.
Floyd’s 57-year-old father, Cornelius Floyd, is recovering from a kidney ailment in a local hospital.
“It always takes something like that to open your eyes,” Floyd said. “I never thought it would happen. Not my dad. But he’ll keep fighting. That’s him.”
Cliff said his father is in stable condition.
“He’s in real good care, and believe it or not, that’s all you can really ask for,” he said. “I really haven’t had too many things going on with my family being in the ICU. It’s life. You realize a lot of things happen besides coming to the park every day. It puts things in perspective, and that’s how I look at it. I’m good and I’m in pretty good spirits, and, hopefully, he’ll change for the better.”
Floyd said he has been able to communicate with his dad in his hospital bed.
“I asked if he wanted me to go play, and he shook his head, ‘yes,’
” Floyd said. “That’s a good sign for me, I’ll tell you that. He’s still here. He’s still fighting. That’s the dad I know.”
Jumping Jack Flash
Manager Lou Piniella has no problem with Carlos Zambrano’s latest antics — jumping up and down on the field after retiring Houston’s Craig Biggio to end the eighth inning of Monday night’s game.
“I was jumping up and down with him,” Piniella said with a laugh. “No, I like emotion. What’s wrong with emotion in baseball? Let these guys express themselves. … I sort of like it.”
Zambrano was unapologetic about his exuberant display.
“I don’t pay attention to what other people say,” he said. “I just pay attention to what my team thinks about me and what Chicago Cubs fans think about me.”
Woo-Woo?
Cubs President John McDonough shot down a rumor the organization had banned longtime fan Ronnie “Woo-Woo” Wickers from games. McDonough said Wickers is welcome to scream “Cubs woo” at Wrigley Field any time if he has a ticket.
“We need all the help we can get right now,” McDonough said.
Extra innings
Daryle Ward said he will begin his rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. … Wade Miller will accompany the Cubs on their next trip to throw for pitching coach Larry Rothschild before a possible rehab stint.
