[AZTarHeel]

It doesn't rain a whole lot in Southern California, but it was pouring the morning of Oct. 18. That was the day Andrew Zarzour and most LA Dodgers players trudged to the home stadium one last time to clean out the clubhouse.

The Dodgers' 2001 season, alas, was over. St. Louis, by virtue of a 7-2 Game Three win in the NLDS, had swept Los Angeles into off-season mode. Zarzour, still physically sore from his eight innings on the hill in Game Two -- and especially tight and uncomfortable in his throwing shoulder -- just felt sick to his stomach about how things ended.

The 2001 Dodgers had so many names, so much young talent and so much potential to bust through the National League. But the bounces didn't go their way in Games One and Two, and nothing went their way in Game Three. Even star pitcher Ramon Martinez was off his game, giving up five earned runs. LA didn't scratch the scoreboard until the ninth inning. By then, it was too little, too late.

Now St. Louis will battle the Giants for a shot at the World Series, and LA will be thinking about 2002. The winner will play either Toronto (!!) or Cleveland for the world championship.

Zarzour and catcher Mike Piazza shared a long conversation as they packed up stuff. Both wondered if either would be back in LA next year. Plenty of rumors had the Dodgers shipping Piazza, the now 33-year-old catcher off to another team for prospects while he still held a lot of value. Some of those rumors had Zarzour going in a package with him. Piazza's departure would free up a lot of money, and the Dodgers wanted to at least unload some considering they lost a couple million dollars in 2001.

Zarzour made sure to thank Piazza for all of his help and guidance the past few years. "Since that time on the plane when you broke the news to me that I was getting my first start until now, you've been a major influence on me and steadying force. I might have crumbled without your veteran leadership around here," Zarzour admitted. "Much of those 17 wins I earned are on your shoulders as well."

"No problem, kid," Piazza said, deflecting credit. "You've got good stuff, and I hope a long career ahead of you. See you next year at the Ravine?"

"We'll see," Zarzour said as he headed back out into the rain and to his car. "Hopefully, you'll be calling pitches to me rather than hitting them out of the park on me."