Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano throws the ball into left field after getting ejected during the seventh inning of Wednesday's victory over the Pirates. The volatile pitcher received a 6-game suspension and a $3,000 fine for his actions.

CHICAGO — The Carlos Zambrano Apology has become an annual tradition in Wrigleyville.

First comes the blowup, then the remorse and then things go back to normal until the next episode.

But after being suspended for six games and fined $3,000 by Major League Baseball on Thursday for "inappropriate and violent actions on the field and in the dugout" during Wednesday's meltdown in a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Zambrano said he really means it.

"When you do something wrong, you have to pay for it," he said. "I don't have a problem with that. I know I did something that disrespected MLB, and I apologize, like I did yesterday, and let's move on. I accept the suspension."

Whether Zambrano will keep his emotions in check remains to be seen, but the Cubs are betting he will. Zambrano had a meeting with manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild and was basically told to knock off the childish behavior.

The penalty was not as harsh as it could have been had MLB decided Zambrano instigated contact with umpire Mark Carlson. There was no mention of the bump in the ruling, which suggests MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson believed Carlson initiated it.

In essence, the Cubs won their case by getting off with a light sentence and fine for one of the most celebrated explosions in recent Wrigley Field history.

Zambrano's next start will be pushed back two days to next Thursday in Atlanta.