If there is anything better than seeing your last name on a professional baseball jersey, it's actually putting that jersey on. Zarzour got chills when he first slipped on his white No. 72 outfit for the first time. It fit to a T. He felt ready to take on the world. "Put me in, coach," he started humming to himself. "I'm ready to play. Today ... Look at me..."
When Zarzour walked out of the locker room for pregame warm-ups it was late afternoon. The sun had coated Dodger Stadium and the surrounding landscape in sweet, rich, deep colors. The San Gabriel Mountains in the distance looked almost purple. Zarzour had to keep from gawking as he stretched out and played catch with teammates.
Another full house was expected tonight since LA was leading the division and hosting their biggest rivals, the San Francisco Giants. A good crowd was already here for batting practice and he could see lots of fathers and sons (and daughters!) in the outfield seats, gloves at the ready, as Mike Piazza, Devon White and recent 3B call-up Cole Liniak (hitting .280 for the injured Todd Zeile) smashed balls all over the place.
Coming into the game, Los Angeles owned a 76-61 record. A recent five-game winning streak, combined with a Colorado four-game losing skid, put a little distance between the Dodgers and Rockies. Zarzour's team was now back up by five in the standings after nearly surrendering the lead.
Chan Ho Park would get the ball for LA tonight, while 37-year-old Mark Gardner would start for the Giants. Coaches told Zarzour that he wouldn't play unless the game went 25 innings or something. But, as always, they told him to be at the ready just in case. Zarzour had no problems in that department.
Zarzour had managed to squeeze in a little time to call his parents and tell them the good news before he reached the ballpark. They were thrilled, naturally, and had tons of questions. He promised to call them back after the game that night when he had more time.
His mom hinted that they might be on a plane to LA in the morning or sometime soon. "I am not missing my son's very first Major League appearance, if there is one," she said adamantly. "If I have to follow the team all over the country like a groupie, I'll do it. Have you gotten any rest? I sure hope you have clean socks to wear..."
Ah, moms...