[AZTarHeel]

It was a beautiful September morning in Albuquerque. It was still a bit cool, and a layer of dew rested on the finely cut bermuda grass at the Dukes' workout facility. Pitcher Andrew Zarzour had just completed his daily conditioning routine along with a handful of other teammates. He would take a break, maybe read the Monday morning paper for awhile, eat something with his newfound friends and then come back to the Dukes' Triple A sports complex to watch film later in the afternoon. Somewhere in there he would grab a nap. Life was good. The pace was relaxed.

As he jogged back toward the locker room, he noticed Dukes manager Mike Scioscia coming his way. He had a packet in his hand and a big, goofy grin on his face.

"You watch the game last night?" Scioscia asked Andrew.

"You mean, Dodgers-Braves? I caught the first inning and then I went on to bed. I was pretty wiped out. Yeah, I know I have no life. Who won?"

"So then you don't know about Nomo?" Scioscia continued.

"Um, no. What happened?" Zarzour asked curiously.

"Man, it was ugly. Bottom of the third inning, Tony Graffanino hits a line shot back up the middle. It deflects of Nomo's face. Bam, he goes down. They're saying he broke his jaw. Dude, it was gruesome. You could see a splatter of blood coming out of his mouth when they slowed it down. Anyways, he'll be out for the rest of the regular season, maybe the post-season as well. Mentally he may be shot for a long time."

Zarzour just stood there imagining what that must have been like. Being so tall, he's been in the line of fire with line drives like that before but he's never been seriously injured. Just some bruises and scared wits, taking hard shots off a thigh or shoulder.

"Anyways," Scioscia said, pressing the packet up against Andrew's chest. "The Dodgers need more arms in their bullpen for the final drive. They're calling you up for the rest of the season. This folder has all the information you need. A car will be along in about 30 minutes to pick you up. You've got another hour or so to get your stuff ready at your apartment, then you're off to the airport. Your plane ticket is enclosed.

"The team is returning from Atlanta and will open a series against the Giants tonight. A car will be waiting at LAX to bring you to the stadium. They know you are coming and someone will be there to help you around. I have no idea how much you'll play over the next few weeks, if any. If nothing else, you'll learn a lot being up there. Best of luck to you..."

Zarzour couldn't believe his ears. He would be sitting in a Major League bullpen tonight. Wearing a real Dodgers uniform with his name on the back. At Chavez Ravine. Against the Giants. Maybe, just maybe over the next few weeks, he'd see his first Major League action. Whoa, this was heavy.

"Well, what are waiting for day-dreamer," Scioscia snapped. "Hit the showers and go get ready to be a Major Leaguer."