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When I lasted posted an update, Zarzour was on the golf course during Christmastime 2007. He had just learned that the Phillies were going to OK a mega-contract for him, paying him in the neighborhood of $15.6 million per year over five seasons. In short, that deal guaranteed that Zarzour could stay with his childhood favorite team during what should be the prime of his career. What could be better?
Well, things started off great for the Big Z. He was named the 2008 Opening Day starter for the Phillies, who were set to play the Dodgers in a special season opener in Beijing, China (more on China in a bit). Zarzour was masterful in that game, throwing an eight-inning, two-hitter (no runs given up), and helping the Phils to a 3-2 victory in front of an dazzled crowd of Chinese fans.
But Zarzour struggled once his team returned back to the States. He lost his next two starts, won another game and then the unthinkable, nightmare scenario unfolded. The richest player on the Phillies roster suffered a torn bicep muscle. Just like that, on April 22, Zarzour’s season was over.
Naturally, the fans howled at the club for giving an injury prone pitcher such a huge contract (and frustratingly Zarzour has been injury prone all through this dynasty story). Zarzour felt sick. He wanted to honor the faith his team put in him by guiding the Phillies to a world championship -- multiple world championships. But before the weather even warmed up much at all, he was done for the year.
But by May and June of 2008, Phillies fans had put the Zarzour injury pretty much behind them. A new and mighty left-hander emerged to guide the team to one of its best seasons in club history -- Joe Beimel…
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