Tall Tales: The Andrew Zarzour Story

[Tyke]

Great to see this up and running again!

[bschr682]

likewise

[AZTarHeel]

Glad to be here!!

Here is information on 2007 award winners for those who asked:

NL Cy Young: Josh Johnson of Philadelphia.
The 23-year-old Phillies star fashioned a 20-6 won-loss record in 2007 with a 2.89 ERA. In 190 innings of work and 32 starts, Johnson struck out 172 while giving up 159 hits and 67 walks. He held opposing batters to a .227 average. Author's Note: But he stunk in the playoffs...

NL MVP: Prince Fielder of San Francisco
Fielder compiled a .373 batting average and a .452 on-base percentage this year. In 160 games he piled up 228 hits, 38 doubles, 5 triples, 76 home runs, 178 RBIs and 145 runs scored. (I checked: he walked 84 times and struck out 110).

NL Rookie of the Year: William Leonard of Atlanta
William Leonard, 1B, played in 128 games, batted .292, collected 149 hits in 510 at-bats, 43 home runs, 115 RBIs, 98 runs scored, 42 walks and compiled a .348 OBP.

AL Cy Young: Dennys Reyes of Boston
Reyes excelled with an impressive 22-6 record in 35 starts. In 215.2 innings he yielded 177 hits and 55 walks, while striking out 193 and compiling a fine 2.59 ERA.

AL MVP: Grady Sizemore of Boston
In his fine season, he compiled a .331 batting average with 197 hits, 46 doubles, 6 triples and 35 home runs, along with 137 RBIs and 138 runs scored.

AL Rookie of the Year: Tomas Sierra of Anaheim (fictional i believe)
The 24-year-old novice carved out a .298 average during the regular season, playing in 159 games and gathering 176 hits in 590 at-bats. Sierra hit 31 home runs while driving in 116 runs and scoring 95 times. He also picked up 75 walks to post a .377 on-base percentage.

[AZTarHeel]

Here are some final numbers on Andrew Zarzour’s 2007 season … plus a career snapshot …




Overall, his ERA was down but he gave up more walks and 25 home runs … I’m still surprised he didn’t win a few more games … Big Z was the team leader in strikeouts with 190. He’s got 1,100+ for his career, so that’s not too bad … it feels like he should have more wins than 81 …

It is still very intriguing to me to compare Zarzour (11-9, 2.77 ERA, 190 Ks) with Josh Johnson (20-6, 2.89 ERA, 172 Ks). The line between 11 wins and 20 was pretty slim. The “AI” top-player rankings still peg Andrew is the better pitcher but the Cy Young voters may very well disagree…

[muted79]

yeah I doubt they will give him the MVP with 11 wins, no matter his ERA.

[AZTarHeel]

oops = double post, sorry about that ... my internet has been going in and out...

[AZTarHeel]

The big black car rumbles through the back streets of Franklin County, North Carolina on a cold December morning in search of its target. Inside are two military men in full dress.

“Are you ready for this?” the driver says to his passenger, who doesn’t answer but keeps looking straight ahead.

The car finds the Zarzours’ street and then turns into the family’s long dirt driveway, kicking up dust and gravel as it makes its final approach.

The driver turns off the engine, and the two men get out. Both are tall, strong, confident, handsome, serious. The driver is African American. The passenger is a Caucasian male, about 6-foot-6 and chiseled, with sharp green eyes. A long scar runs its way like a river on a map along one of his cheeks. Other scars and even fresher wounds are underneath his military clothing.

As the two take a few steps toward the house, Elizabeth Zarzour comes flying out of the front screen door to see who the visitors are, quickly trying to wrap herself in a robe. She looks at the two soldiers standing in front of her, then falls to her knees and wails, “Oh my God, my God, my God…”

At the sound of his wife‘s screams, Phillip Zarzour bolts out the door behind her to see what is wrong with his bride. He, too, is brought to his knees at the sight in front of him.

“Sweet Jesus, Sweet Jesus, Sweet Jesus,” is all he can say. “Sweet, Sweet Jesus.”

[AZTarHeel]

The passenger of the car stands looking at the couple, then his serious demeanor fades into a smile.

“Hi mom and dad,” Timothy Zarzour says sheepishly, fighting back tears. “I’m home.”

Elizabeth and Phillip Zarzour can’t believe their eyes. Several years ago, they sent their youngest boy off to war. Now he has come home -- Timmy is HOME!! -- as a man.

It’s one of the sweetest reunions you could ever imagine. Elizabeth had dreamed about this day, literally, several times. But she never knew the ending, always assuming the worst. It turned out much better than she could have imagined in her wildest dreams.

“Thank you, Jesus,” she said to herself. “Sweet Jesus. My Sweet, Sweet Jesus. You brought my boy home to me…”

[d32123]

Just wanted to say that this is my favorite Dynasty I've read on here so far. I can only hope that mine becomes as good some day. Keep up the good work!

[bschr682]

when i first read the beginning with the "are u ready for this" and the big black car i was like oh crap Timmy didn't make it. U really know how to tell a good story man.

[muted79]

I thought your work around September 11 was good, but that was almost inevitable, this was fantastic and despite the posts were one on top of the other, was unbelievable.

[Let's Play Two]

I am new to the forum here so I wasn't around for the heyday of many of the great stories that have been told here. I just finished reading yours, and I think it deserves a place among the all-time greats.

Andrew Zarzour is very easy to root for. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of his career turns out. Keep up the good work!

[AZTarHeel]

thanks again, everyone, for such kind comments ... and thanks for hanging in there through the slow periods ... it's hard to believe i've been writing this dynasty for like two years ...

hopefully 2008 will bring good things for Big Z ... (fingers crossed)...

[AZTarHeel]

It’s a couple of days before Christmas 2007, and the weather in North Carolina is unseasonably warm. The perfect time for Andrew Zarzour -- back home in the Tar Heel state for the holidays -- to hit the golf course with his buddies.

Both of Andrew’s best friends from childhood, Robbie Maine and Brandon Weaver, are home as well and join him at the Wake Forest Country Club, about 25 minutes from Bunn. Dads of the three young men join their sons on the course, along with Andrew’s younger brother Timmy and Jeff Innis, who still coaches the Bunn High baseball team that all of the young guys played on several years ago.

It’s just a great day all around for the eight players, full of laughter and memories and Christmas cheer. The scores don’t really matter, though Andrew finds himself having a great round early on.

Andrew and Timmy ride in the same cart and spend much of the front nine discussing Timmy’s desire to give professional baseball a try. Andrew kind of laughs at first until he realizes that his little bro is serious.

“It sounds crazy, Andrew, but when I was in Afghanistan, baseball somehow became a refuge for me and several of the guys in my unit,“ Timmy said. “We hung on every detail we could get of not only the Phillies and your pitching, but the league itself. We went crazy when we heard about Prince Fielder breaking the home run record, and all that.

“Some nights, I’d stay awake just dreaming of being out there on a ball field somewhere -- it didn't matter where, a small Class A town in Alaska for all I care -- just playing ball. No wars. No worries of suicide attacks. Just baseball, a community of fans rallying around us and a team to be a part of.

“I realize I didn’t take baseball very seriously in high school but I still think I have the tools somewhere inside of me to make something of myself in the game,” Timmy continued. “Maybe I’ll never make it to the Majors, or even Double A. But I don’t care. If you’d be willing to work with me and help me, I’d love to give it a shot. If nothing else to put off having to deal with being in the real world for a few years.”

Andrew loved the idea of having another Zarzour in the baseball world -- this one a catcher/first baseman -- and pledged to do whatever he could to get his little brother ready.

“First things first, though, little brother. I’ve got to finish kicking your tail here on the golf course. You're five strokes back, and there is no way you’re going to catch me today, even with those 300 yard drives you keep pulling off.”

[AZTarHeel]

Andrew’s cockiness came back to bite him, and he lost a stroke to his brother on the eighth hole. As the Zarzours drove up to the ninth tee and started punching in food orders for the clubhouse (via very cool technology on their golf cart), Andrew’s cell phone buzzed on his hip.

When he saw the number, his heart jumped.

It was his agent on the phone. Why on earth would he be calling now, right before Christmas? He knows how much Andrew hates to be disturbed when he’s home with family, especially on a holiday.

Andrew didn’t deal with the call until after he had completed the ninth hole (he double-bogeyed it much to his chagrin, allowing Timmy to get another stroke closer). While the others were getting their food in the clubhouse, Zarzour sneaked away and dialed his agent back.

“What’s going on, Jerry?” Zarzour said with a serious tone.

“Hey Andrew, hope you are doing well. Got some news for you. Some big news. Are you sitting down?”

Uh oh…

[AZTarHeel]

Shortly after the 2007 season ended, Andrew and his agent started negotiating to keep the Big Z in Philadelphia long term. But his agent took a very hardball approach during talks with the club, something that made Andrew pretty nervous.

“Listen Z, just about everyone considers you one of the best pitchers in the game right now, with a bright future ahead of you. You’ve been the Phillies’ No. 1 ace pretty much since you arrived there, and you‘re only going to be 27 years old on Opening Day. That's amazing. You deserve to get rewarded for that and for all your hard work with a nice handsome contract, and I’m going to help you get it.”

So, Zarzour through his agent rejected the first couple of offers (even though Andrew in his heart of hearts would have been OK with what the Phillies were bringing to the table. It was in the neighborhood of $10 million a year).

“Trust me on this, Andrew. We can do a lot better than this, a lot better. Frankly, considering your status on this club and in baseball overall, these numbers are kind of insulting. The top guys like you are getting 50 percent more per year.”

More counter offers from Philadelphia rolled in (now climbing in the $12-$14 million per year range), more stiff arms from Zarzour’s camp per his agent‘s advice. Then, around Thanksgiving, Philadelphia finally decided to stop dealing after another "no" from the Zarzour camp.

“That was our last offer Andrew. That’s the best we can do. I guess we’ll have to go into next season with this issue unsettled. Sorry about that. We don‘t have the money to go any higher.”

Despite his agent’s confidence that their holding out for superstar money was the right thing to do, Andrew felt sick to his stomach. This stubborn approach very well may cost Zarzour the chance to pitch in Philadelphia beyond the 2008 season, something he really wants to do if at all possible. In fact, by early December, the rumor mill was already churning out scenarios that had Zarzour being moved before the ‘08 season even started -- or being on the block in the summer if Philadelphia wasn’t in contention.

Zarzour basically had decided not to even think about any of this during his time at home for the holidays, focusing instead on family, friends and fun.

But now his agent had called with “big news,“ telling him to sit down. The last time something like this happened while he was playing golf -- on this very course no less -- Zarzour learned that he was being traded from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Could history be repeating itself?

[AZTarHeel]

"Andrew, relax my friend," his agent said with a laugh. "I didn’t say this was bad news. In fact, I think you’ll find this is fantastic news. Philadelphia called back this morning. They put one more offer on the table for you, and I’ll recommend that you jump all over this one. How does five years at $15.7 million per year sound? Oh, and a nice little bonus of $750,000 if you win the Cy Young. You get to stay in Philly for a long time, just like you want.

“Merry Christmas and congratulations my friend. We just made you about $80 million. You’re set for life, Andrew.”

At this point, Zarzour wished he was sitting down after all. He was weak in the knees. Eighty million dollars. Eighty freakin’ million. Just think of all the people he could bless in the world with $80 million. His family, his church, his high school, mission groups that he already supported like World Harvest and Compassion International, the neighborhoods in Philadelphia that needed ball fields and better gyms. His kids, if he was every blessed to have them some day…

“Andrew, are you still there? You haven’t said anything for 30 seconds.”

Zarzour struggled to find the right thing to say. His brother was home from war. His mom was feeling much better. His friends were all doing great. And now he gets a nice contract to stay in Philadelphia for a long time (good Lord willing of course).

“Hey Z, anything you want to say to the press? The team wants to get a release out ASAP once they get your OK on this deal. I told them I’d send them a quote or two.”

Andrew paused for a few more seconds. “Just say that this is a dream come true and that I am more committed than ever to helping bring a championship to Philadelphia. I can’t wait for the season to start. I wish it started right now.”

[Big Six]

Man, that is awesome for Andrew. The Phillies have him in the fold for what should be some of the most productive years of his career.

I hope Zarzour's big contract isn't SO big that the Phillies will have problems paying for a decent team to surround him. How's their financial situation overall?

As usual, a great job.

[AZTarHeel]

Originally Posted by Big Six

Man, that is awesome for Andrew. The Phillies have him in the fold for what should be some of the most productive years of his career.

I hope Zarzour's big contract isn't SO big that the Phillies will have problems paying for a decent team to surround him. How's their financial situation overall?

As usual, a great job.

Hey Big Six, the Phillies should be in pretty good financial shape for a few years ... My "money ball" tactics have resulted in a very young team, mostly guys in their mid-20s who still have a few years to go before being free-agent ready ... I peeked ahead to the end of 2008 and there are only 3-4 guys other than Andrew who are set to be FAs, so I felt confident in blowing just about all my contract extension money on him (I had a lot stored up from the past few years).

The negotiating was tough for awhile. He really played hard ball and turned down some pretty sweet offers. This last one really was going to be my final one and fortunately he said yes to it ... (and the fans told me they loved us for signing him)...

I could be in trouble in a few years when a lot of my guys are set to become FAs and likely will command big bucks. But I'll enjoy things while I can ... Maybe Zarzour's Phils can be like the real Phils and win a World Series in 2008...

My biggest fear now is that Andrew's ratings tank (though he technically should be in his prime). If he goes south I'm stuck with a HUGE contract for awhile ... fingers crossed...

[AZTarHeel]

MLB will throw out first pitch of 2008 in Asia



January 3, 2008

The 2008 Major League Baseball season will start in Japan and China on March 25-26.



In an unprecedented move designed to further MLB's global reach, commissioner Bud Selig announced today that Boston and Oakland will play a two-game series in Tokyo to start the year, while on the same days Philadelphia and Los Angeles will play a pair of contests in Beijing.


“We are excited about this opportunity to further expose Major League Baseball to the Asian community, especially in China which only recently began its professional league,” said Selig, who helped spearhead the creation of the World Baseball Classic.



Beijing will host the Olympics this summer, so the baseball showcase will be a nice precursor to that international event. Both the Phillies and Dodgers are expected to arrive in China several days before their opening series, and exhibition games are planned for both clubs against some of China’s fledgling professional teams.



The China Baseball League (in Chinese 中国棒球联赛) currently has six teams that play a 60-game schedule, beginning in early May. The league has been around since the early 2000s



Early reaction from the four MLB clubs about the Asia trips is mixed. Some players have expressed concern about the extended travel hampering their preparations for the 2008 season. All four teams will trade spring training games for exhibitions against teams in their respective host countries.