Now, getting back the China trip that started the Phillies’ 2008 season for a moment. While most players and coaches hated the idea of breaking up their spring training with an overseas venture (for what basically amounted to an MLB marketing campaign), Andrew Zarzour had the time of his life. His aunt and uncle had lived in China for a few years, teaching English to students at universities. Andrew had wanted to see where they lived. His aunt and uncle had wanted to see him pitch in the big leagues, so this was a perfect match.
The whole Zarzour clan made the trip, and
Timmy Zarzour spent much of it with big brother, hob-nobbing with Phillies players and just enjoying being around professional baseball players. During a pitchers-catchers camp the Phillies offered to some of the Chinese clubs, Timmy even befriended some of the players from the team in Shanghai (the city where his aunt and uncle were currently living).
One thing led to another, and Timmy (above) found himself signing a contract to join Shanghai’s team in the China Baseball League for the 2008 season. Andrew’s little brother ended up serving as the backup catcher for the Shanghai Eagles, appearing in 32 of 60 games. He earned 52 at bats and stroked 12 hits for a .231 average and two RBIs. Best of all, the Eagles asked him to come back in 2009!
Andrew became fast friends with one China’s premiere players during that trip as well. His name was
Xiang-ling Zhao and he pitched for the Tianjin Lions. The American players called Zhao “Flinch” because he had a little hitch in his delivery that seemed to throw batters’ timing off. Zarzour thought Zhao was the real deal (another Big Z!) and wondered if in a year or two he might try to be the Yao Ming of baseball, coming to the United States to play in the Majors.
Zhao’s 2008 season in the China Baseball League included a pretty nice stat line -- 10-3 record, 1.64 ERA -- and winning the Chinese equivalent of the Cy Young award.
Of course, Andrew will forever remember his time in China as the place where he first met his bride-to-be… The funny part about it is, had Andrew not had a bit of a rebellious streak in him, he may never have crossed her path…