[AZTarHeel]

philliesnation.com/more than just a blog

Playoff fever: Dare we dream the dream this year?

The Philadelphia Phillies surely have given us whiplash the past few years. There was the dreadful 105-loss season of 2003, followed by a 30-game turnaround in the positive for 2004. Then the Phils were on the brink of the World Series in 2005, only to lose to the Houston Astros in Game Seven of the NLCS.

Well, that got us all up for 2006, and with World Series expectations flowing at every corner, the Phillies never really got off the bottom of the NL East standings. Tank city. Total bummer here at Phillies Nation.

Now, the pendulum has swung back the other direction in a big way. The 2007 playoffs begin tomorrow, and Philadelphia is at the top of the heap. Those World Series dreams have returned following a 95-67 regular season -- tied for the best record in the National League with the Astros.

Really guys, our neck hurts.

Here are the playoff match-ups. There are eight very good teams in the post-season. Dare we dream the dream this October here in Phillies Nation?

Philadelphia Phillies (95-67) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (92-70)
Houston Astros (95-67) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68)

Detroit Tigers (105-57) vs. Anaheim Angels (89-73)
Boston Red Sox (102-60) vs. Oakland Athletics (90-72)


If we have one area to nitpick with the Phils, it was how manager Tetsui Suzuki handled the pitching rotation. It wasn't like Philadelphia was in danger of losing its spot in the playoffs. Was it really necessary to throw Zarzour and Josh Johnson one last time? Sure, it looks great for Johnson to get his 20th win, but wouldn't have made more sense to give them each full rest heading into the playoffs? We may not see Josh until Game Three. By then, the Phils could be down 0-2.

Our neck hurts...

[AZTarHeel]

FYI, here are final 2007 standings

How 'bout those Tigers? Wow, the Cardinals were terrible ... So were the Yankees ... Josh Hamilton and the Orioles played in a tough division...

National League

Eastern Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Philadelphia Phillies	95	67	.586	-	92-70	3	50-31	45-36	14-6	30-19	Clinched	L2	6-4
Florida Marlins      	82	80	.506	13.0	79-83	3	45-36	37-44	3-8	21-23		L1	6-4
New York (N) Mets	78	84	.481	17.0	80-82	-2	41-40	37-44	8-7	23-29		W1	5-5
Washington Nationals	75	87	.463	20.0	86-76	-11	35-46	40-41	8-9	23-26		W2	4-6
Atlanta Braves     	74	88	.457	21.0	70-92	4	40-41	34-47	5-10	22-28		L1	3-7

Central Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Houston Astros    	95	67	.586	-	99-63	-4	51-30	44-37	12-9	25-25	Clinched	W1	6-4
Cincinnati Reds    	88	74	.543	7.0	85-77	3	43-38	45-36	9-8	24-16		W2	4-6
Chicago (N) Cubs	85	77	.525	10.0	84-78	1	41-40	44-37	9-5	28-21		L2	4-6
Milwaukee Brewers	75	87	.463	20.0	77-85	-2	39-42	36-45	8-13	26-27		W6	9-1
Pittsburgh Pirates	67	95	.414	28.0	66-96	1	31-50	36-45	6-7	22-21		L1	4-6
St. Louis Cardinals	56	106	.346	39.0	56-106	0	30-51	26-55	8-9	16-22		W1	4-6

Western Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Los Angeles Dodgers	94	68	.580	-	96-66	-2	49-32	45-36	13-14	20-27	Clinched	W2	6-4
Arizona Diamondbacks	92	70	.568	2.0	87-75	5	47-34	45-36	5-8	23-19		W1	6-4
San Diego Padres	84	78	.519	10.0	85-77	-1	43-38	41-40	8-8	28-25		L4	2-8
San Francisco Giants	82	80	.506	12.0	80-82	2	45-36	37-44	12-7	27-25		L2	5-5
Colorado Rockies	67	95	.414	27.0	71-91	-4	38-43	29-52	6-6	15-25		L1	5-5

American League

Eastern Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Boston Red Sox    	102	60	.630	-	101-61	1	54-27	48-33	9-6	21-17	Clinched	W3	7-3
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	87	75	.537	15.0	90-72	-3	48-33	39-42	5-10	19-24		W1	5-5
Baltimore Orioles	86	76	.531	16.0	89-73	-3	44-37	42-39	12-3	27-25		L1	2-8
New York (A) Yankees	62	100	.383	40.0	62-100	0	34-47	28-53	8-8	19-24		W1	4-6
Toronto Blue Jays	61	101	.377	41.0	62-100	-1	29-52	32-49	8-11	16-28		L1	6-4

Central Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Detroit Tigers      	105	57	.648	-	95-67	10	54-27	51-30	8-5	30-17	Clinched	W5	8-2
Kansas City Royals	82	80	.506	23.0	85-77	-3	49-32	33-48	5-9	27-28		L1	4-6
Cleveland Indians	80	82	.494	25.0	78-84	2	42-39	38-43	7-10	22-23		W1	2-8
Chicago (A) White Sox	70	92	.432	35.0	82-80	-12	37-44	33-48	6-11	21-32		L3	4-6
Minnesota Twins	65	97	.401	40.0	70-92	-5	34-47	31-50	8-10	19-23		L3	3-7

Western Division
Team                 	W	L	PCT	GB	Pyt.Rec	Diff	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Oakland Athletics	90	72	.556	-	84-78	6	46-35	44-37	11-3	19-21	Clinched	L1	5-5
Anaheim Angels    	89	73	.549	1.0	87-75	2	53-28	36-45	4-3	17-15		W1	6-4
Texas Rangers     	85	77	.525	5.0	78-84	7	47-34	38-43	6-7	35-19		W1	7-3
Seattle Mariners	77	85	.475	13.0	75-87	2	48-33	29-52	9-10	30-21		L1	5-5

[AZTarHeel]

As Andrew Zarzour threw his warm-up tosses to bullpen catcher Michael Barrett, he struggled to contain the wave of emotions and thoughts surrounding him.

Of course, there was plenty of excitement. The 7-foot-2 left-hander was getting ready for playoff baseball in front of the home fans in Philadelphia — everything you dream about as a ballplayer.

But this wasn’t just a playoff game, this was an elimination game. This was Game Five of the National League Divisional Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The winner moves on to play another day. The loser turns in the equipment for the season and gets to ponder the big “what if" questions for months. The hopes of Phillies Nation rested pretty squarely on the Big Z’s shoulders.

The last time Zarzour started in an elimination game, it was Game Seven of the NLCS against the Astros two seasons ago. Philadelphia lost a tough one, 2-1. Zarzour had pitched an “almost great” game, according to the Philly papers. He had struck out 10 and surrendered just three hits during his time on the hill. But he made mistakes, too, walking three and opening the door just enough for Houston to squeeze through for the win.

Zarzour had come a long ways in those two years since that defeat, but the memory of being “almost great” still stuck with him. And he hadn’t pitched very well earlier in this series with Arizona. Philadelphia won Game Two, but Zarzour’s bullpen had to bail him out after he gave up three home runs early on.

Of course, every time a team even hits one home run against Zarzour, the press jumps all over memories of Zarzour’s FIVE home runs surrendered in the World Series several years ago while with the Dodgers. Is the old Zarzour coming out again, the papers mused after the earlier start against Arizona? Maybe Zarzour isn’t a playoff pitcher and can‘t handle the pressure, others pondered. One blog suggested that Philadelphia give the ball to someone else for such an important game. That one hurt.

In the background of all of this was the fact that neither of Zarzour's parents were going to be in the crowd this night in Philadelphia. His mom was terribly sick and couldn‘t make the trip from North Carolina. His dad, worried about his bride of many years, stayed behind to tend to her needs. The doctors couldn’t exactly pinpoint what was wrong with her either. She's had a tough time breathing the past few weeks and often felt sapped of energy. Two nights ago, she stayed in the bathroom for hours throwing up.

She had been through about every test imaginable the past. Andrew‘s dad surmised that the weight and worry of having her youngest son Timmy still away at war — especially considering hopes had been raised for his return earlier in the summer — finally was taking its toll on her.

“She keeps telling me she has dreams that Timmy never makes it home,” Andrew‘s dad had told him a few nights ago. “I think she‘s just worried herself absolutely sick. You know you’re mother. She’s a strong woman with a strong faith, but this is just licking her right now. She can’t sleep. She can’t concentrate. She doesn’t want to eat. I’ve never seen her like this…”

As all these thoughts brewed in his mind, Zarzour threw his final warm-up toss to Barrett, a fastball that if radars had been around would have clocked 99 mph.

“Hey Z, we’re behind you tonight,” Barrett told him, looking into his eyes and putting an arm around his pitcher's shoulder. “You just go do your job and everyone else will do theirs, OK? And we‘ll win...”

Andrew definitely needed to hear that …

[AZTarHeel]

It’s on to the NLCS for Phillies!
Philadelphia clinches series behind Ramirez's bat, Zarzour's arm



October 9, 2007



Rookie Francisco Ramirez hit two home runs, and the Philadelphia Phillies won the decisive Game Five of the National League Divisional Series 3-1 against Arizona last night.



The 24-year-old first baseman, new to the league this season from the Mexican professional circuit, belted a two-run shot in the second inning and stroked a solo shot in the seventh.



Philadelphia now moves on to face the red-hot Houston Astros in a rematch of the 2005 National League Championship Series. Houston beat the Dodgers three games to one, getting big hitting up and down the lineup.



Andrew Zarzour picked the pitching win for the Phils last night. He threw a six-inning two-hitter, allowing just one earned run. He struck out five. Closer Jon Ratlif earned his third save of the post-season. His ERA is still a perfect 0.00 in the playoffs.

Four Philadelphia relievers allowed only one hit over the final three innings.

The Phillies look to start 20-game winner Josh Johnson in Game One of the NLCS. Zarzour likely won’t be available until Game Three or Four.



In the American League, the two best teams in baseball, record-wise, will square off for the right to go to the World Series. Boston and Detroit each won their respective ALDS series 3-1.

[Big Six]

Way to go, Big Z!

I imagined myself driving along Highway 45 in central Pennsylvania, maybe a few miles outside Mifflinburg, listening to Harry Kalas calling the game on the car radio...

Big Z needs one more here...Swing and a miss! Struck him out!

Good stuff as always, AZ.

[AZTarHeel]

Originally Posted by Big Six

Way to go, Big Z!

I imagined myself driving along Highway 45 in central Pennsylvania, maybe a few miles outside Mifflinburg, listening to Harry Kalas calling the game on the car radio...

Big Z needs one more here...Swing and a miss! Struck him out!

Good stuff as always, AZ.

that's a neat image, Big Six ... too bad we can't add audio clips to our posts ... that would be classic ...

[AZTarHeel]

You could hear the slightest shuffling of feet in the Philadelphia Phillies locker room. No one dared say a word.

Several pitchers just put towels over their heads and hoped the media would be gentle when they flowed in to begin their inquisition in a few minutes. Had the team tied with the best record in the National League really just gotten beat 18-8 by the Houston Astros in Game One of the NLCS?

18 runs surrendered by the Phillies. Eighteen! Good grief.

Game One was supposed to be a pitcher’s duel between two Cy Young contenders. But Philadelphia’s Josh Johnson didn’t even make it out of the second inning. He had given up four runs and five hits in the top of the first inning. The Phils struck right back, getting four runs off five hits in the bottom of the first against Astros ace Scott Williamson.
But Johnson never could right his own ship. After surrendering another four runs in the second frame, Phillies manager Tetsui Suzuki sent his Johnson to the showers. He told reliever Scott Baker (normally the No. 5 starter or a spot starter) to go eat up some innings. But the Astros chased him as well with a six-spot in the fourth inning. By that point, the score was 14-5 Houston. The Astros were en route to outscoring the NFL's Houston Texans!

The Astros ended up abusing Philadelphia pitchers to the tune of 22 hits, three homers, five doubles and a triple. The final individual stat lines were ridiculous: Doug Glanville 3-for-5, David Wright 4-for-6 with four RBIs, Adam LaRoche 4-for-5 with five RBIs, Roberto Valverde 2-for-6 with three RBIs, Lance Berkman 2-for-3 with three RBIs, etc. All that and Houston stranded another six runners in scoring position.

Worst of all, the Phillies had to burn five pitchers. Not the start that Phillies Nation had envisioned after picking up an emotional Game Five win over Arizona in the NLDS. Maybe Philadelphia players had left their drive at the ball park that night. They certainly left their pitching prowess.



If there was a silver lining, it was that Johnson only ended up throwing 53 pitches. If he can recover mentally from the shellacking, he should be pretty rested by his next start. And Philadelphia did score eight runs against Houston‘s supposedly solid staff. Despite losing by a touchdown and a field goal, hitters like Francisco Ramirez (3-for-5, three RBIs), Jorge Cantu (2-for-5) and Matt Holliday (2-for-5) had enjoyed pretty good nights at the plate. Maybe the Phils' pitching woes were a one-game anomaly? That quiet locker room could only hope.

Philadelphia will turn to No. 3 starter Lee Plunket to help turn the tide in Game Two. Then, especially if the Phils lose that one, they'll likely have to go to Andrew Zarzour on short rest in Game Three. More pressure on Big Z's shoulders. Will he be ready?

[Tyke]

AZT, I just spent the best part of 2 days reading Zarzour's story from beginning to end - it's a very classy piece of work, my friend! I have no idea why I missed this in the first place, but I got into it whilst filling in a little time before the emergence of OOTPX and, I must say, it ranks right up there with Big Six's "Pat O'Farrell" dynasty - there can be no higher praise! I really like the characterisation and the variety of "voices" you use in telling the story. I was concerned when Andrew was introduced to "Victor", but he hasn't been mentioned since then - I hope you don't have a nasty surprise up your sleeve for us! Now, of course, as well as waiting patiently for the previously mentioned OOTPX, I am also waiting patiently for Andrew Zarzour's next start.

[AZTarHeel]

Originally Posted by Tyke

AZT, I just spent the best part of 2 days reading Zarzour's story from beginning to end - it's a very classy piece of work, my friend! I have no idea why I missed this in the first place, but I got into it whilst filling in a little time before the emergence of OOTPX and, I must say, it ranks right up there with Big Six's "Pat O'Farrell" dynasty - there can be no higher praise! I really like the characterisation and the variety of "voices" you use in telling the story. I was concerned when Andrew was introduced to "Victor", but he hasn't been mentioned since then - I hope you don't have a nasty surprise up your sleeve for us! Now, of course, as well as waiting patiently for the previously mentioned OOTPX, I am also waiting patiently for Andrew Zarzour's next start.

thanks Tyke for your very kind comments ... it's been a lot of fun putting this story together and coming up with a plot to follow the twists and turns of Andrew's OOTP career ... I just wish I had more time to play and write ... (don't we all)

the astros have been a nemesis to Andrew before, hopefully he and the Phillies can get over that hump this season... if not, things look good heading into next season, with most of these guys coming back ...

[AZTarHeel]

Phillies fall behind 2-0
Houston edges Phils 5-4 in Game Two



October 12, 2007



Doug Glanville hit an RBI single in the ninth inning, and the Houston Astros edged the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 in Game Two of the National League Championship Series last night.

Philadelphia had erased a 4-0 deficit with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the seventh. But the Astros strung together three consecutive hits to start the ninth inning to retake the lead.

The NLCS will go back to Houston with the 'Stros holding a 2-0 lead. Houston beat Philadelphia 18-8 in Game One.

Reliever Greg Mullins took the loss for the Phillies. Rocky Biddle blew a save opportunity but ended up getting the win for Houston.

Philadelphia’s George Kelch hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning off starter Jose Lima, then catcher Carlos Longoria followed with a double. Biddle came in to relieve Lima, and Edward Vanetten promptly drove Longoria home with a double to tie the game 4-4, but that was all Philadelphia could muster in their home ballpark.

The Phils, champs of the National League East, now have their backs against the wall, essentially playing for their lives with the series moving to the Lone Star State. Andrew Zarzour is expected to get the ball for Philadelphia in Game Three tomorrow night. He’ll likely face Houston left-hander Jamie Walker.

Houston beat Philadelphia to advance to the World Series in 2005. That series went to seven games.

[AZTarHeel]

Philadelphia's season on the brink
Zarzour gets shelled, Philllies fall behind 3-0

October 14, 2007

Philadelphia pitcher Andrew Zarzour seemed to be humming right along.

First inning. Three up, three down. Second inning. Three up, three down. Third inning, a leadoff single, but three up and three down right afterward to leave the runner stranded.

Then, the bottom fell out for the 7-foot-2 left-hander. Houston scored three runs in the fourth inning, then six runs in the fifth frame off Zarzour — including a grand slam from Doug Glanville and a two-run blast by Roosevelt Brown — to roll to a 9-2 victory in Game Three of the National League Championship Series. The win gives the Astros a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.

Houston has now earned commanding wins over Philadelphia’s best two pitchers. All nine runs last night were earned and charged to Zarzour. The ‘Stros battered Josh Johnson (20 wins in the regular season) to the tune of eight earned runs en route to an 18-8 triumph in Game One a few nights ago.

The Phillies are hanging by a thread at this point. They’ll look to pitcher Odell Jones to stop the bleeding tomorrow night in Game Four. Jones has been an up-and-down performer since coming to the Phillies from the Chicago White Sox in early May. The 23-year-old southpaw posted an 8-9 record with a 4.89 ERA during the regular season in Philadelphia.

In the American League, Detroit has won two straight since dropping the ALCS opener to the Boston Red Sox...

___________________
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Arrgg!!! I think I have cursed my team … During the season, I simmed everything. I had a routine. Sim a game, check out the box score and make adjustments if needed. Rinse, repeat. Now that we're in the NLCS, I decided to play out the games, so I could have more control of how the AI controlled pitchers, starting line-ups, etc. Well, you've seen the results ... yeesh ... this has been a nightmare series...

[AZTarHeel]

Odell Jones to the rescue
Philadelphia fights off elimination, gets first win over Houston

October 15, 2007

Philadelphia pitchers finally found a way to quiet Houston’s bats.

Thanks to left-hander Odell Jones, obtained by the Phillies during the season from the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia will live to fight another day.

Jones pitched a four hitter over 7.2 innings, striking out six, and Philly beat Houston 4-2 in Game Four of the National League Championship Series. Jones allowed just one earned run, a far cry from what the Astros did to aces Josh Johnson and Andrew Zarzour in earlier games.

The win gives Philadelphia its first win in the series. Houston still leads 3-1 and needs just one win to move on to the World Series.

Jorge Cantu powered Philadelphia’s offense, finishing 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs.

Josh Johnson is expected to get the ball for Game Five tonight. He’s hoping to erase the memories of his last start, where the Astros shelled him to the tune of eight earned runs.

[AZTarHeel]

Elizabeth Zarzour sat in her screened in porch and sipped on a cup of hot tea while reading her morning devotion. She was trying to keep her attention on the Bible verse of the day — “for nothing is impossible with God” — but she was having a hard time.

She had had the dream again last night. The one where the two military men drive up to their house in a big black car. Two decorated figures get out, wearing stern looks on their faces. She is sure they are there to deliver the bad news that her son, Timothy, has been killed in Afghanistan. She sees herself racing out the front door to meet the two men, then sees herself falling on her knees, tears streaming from her eyes. Then … she wakes up …

“Lord Jesus,” Elizabeth finds herself praying again. “I know you are in control of all things. And I know that you are a good God with more grace and love than I can even imagine. And I know that you are in control and that Timothy’s heart has come back to you after being lost for many years. I just ask, Lord, that you would allow my son to come back home to us. I trust you. And I will trust you no matter what happens. But that’s my request, Lord, if it be your will. I know and believe that nothing is impossible for you… ”

[AZTarHeel]

Over and Out
Phillies lose early 6-0 lead, season ends in Houston

October 17, 2007

For the first two and a half innings, it seemed the National League Championship Series was starting to swing the Phillies’ way.

The Fightin’ Phils jumped out to a 6-0 lead on the Houston Astros. Francisco Ramirez smashed a two-run homer. Carlos Longoria followed with a three-run blast. All Philadelphia had to do was hang on to that lead, and it would pull within 3-2 in the Series. With the NLCS going back to Philadelphia for the final two games, the dream of a World Series trip was still very much alive for the boys in Phillies red.

But again, pitching let the team down big time. Josh Johnson, who may yet win a Cy Young for his regular season work, looked more like a rookie, surrendering seven runs in the bottom of the third inning. While the Phillies eventually tied the game 9-9 in the top of the ninth, the Astros plated the winning run in the bottom of the frame, ending the game, the series and the Phillies’ 2007 season.

In the end, poor pitching will be the ultimate theme of the Phils’ final series of the season. When top-flight starters Johnson and Andrew Zarzour let you down, and the bullpen doesn’t have much else to give, what do you do? The Phillies had 15 hits in their final game and scored nine runs — and still lost.

Just like that, it’s off-season time for Philadelphia — and on to the World Series again for the Astros. The Detroit Tigers await, after they polished off the Red Sox four games to one.

[AZTarHeel]

Welcome back to 610WIP Sports Radio. It's the Morning Show and I'm your host Angelo Cataldi, alongside your faithful morning team of Al Morganti and Rhea Hughes. Well, the World Series starts today and our hometown team isn’t in it -- again. The Phillies came close again only to be turned away by the Houston Astros, who will be facing the Detroit Tigers for this year’s crown. Deep sigh.

As we close the books on the 2007 baseball season here in Philadelphia, we’re joined live by pitcher Andrew Zarzour, who has agreed to spend a few minutes with us this morning. Andrew, good morning, my friend. As always, it's great to speak with you.

AZ: Good morning, glad to be with you guys. Wish it were under different circumstances, though.

WIP: So, you’re back in North Carolina, your hometown?

AZ: Yes sir. My mom hasn’t been feeling well, and I just wanted to come spend some time with her and my dad, and just basically decompress a little bit. It’s been a long season.

WIP: As you reflect on 2007, what thoughts go through your mind?

AZ: The regular season itself was pretty much a blast. I think we played loose. We were a team. We brought out the best in each other. It was a fun ride. This was one of the most determined, scrappy teams I’ve ever been a part of. I think we as a pitching staff feel like we let the team down once we got into the post-season. It’s hard to explain. We just didn’t have our best stuff. I know I didn’t have my best stuff against Houston, that’s for sure. We’re still pretty sick about that part. In time, we‘ll feel pretty good about the whole of 2007. But for now, it just hurts with how it ended.

WIP: Were you tired in those last games? You and Josh looked pretty tanked, if I can be honest.

AZ: No, I don’t think so. Maybe we thought too much out there instead of just pitching. Houston had played as many games as we did, so if we were tired then they had to be tired, too, right?

WIP: You think this team will stay together in 2008? If so, it would be hard to pick against Philadelphia in the NL East?

AZ: Yeah, we’re slated to bring about everyone back. We could be pretty good. But no one hands you anything. You’ve got to work for it. I’ve got to work for it. I think we learned that in 2006, that getting on the cover of preseason magazines doesn’t win you any thing. After a little rest here in the next few days, I plan on getting back to work myself.

WIP: So, what about your future here in Philly? You contract runs out after next season. You’re surely due for a big raise after that. What’s on your radar? Do you think you want to test the free agent market or be a Philly for several more years to come.

AZ: As soon as I finish my R&R time here in North Carolina, I’m sure I’ll sit down with the Phillies management and talk about my future with the club. I could see myself staying here for a long, long time. As long as this club is committed to winning over the long haul, count me in.

WIP: How’s your little brother? I understand he’s still serving in Afghanistan?

AZ: Yeah, frankly I’m not sure how he’s doing. We haven’t heard from him in awhile. There was a time when we thought he was going to come home this summer, but then we learned those plans were on delay. He usually finds a way to communicate with me in some way but I haven’t heard from him in about a month. We just keep praying for him and all the men and women serving overseas everyday. I think that may be why my mom has been sick the past few weeks. She just wants her boy home. I definitely want my brother home.

WIP: Andrew, we’ll definitely keep praying for that to happen as well. Thank you for your time this morning. We hope next year at this time, we’re talking to you on the eve of you pitching in Game One of the World Series, with your brother in the stands watching you. Best wishes to you.

AZ: Thanks for having me on. And thanks to all the fans in Philadelphia for supporting us this season. We appreciate all of you a lot. We'll keep working hard.

WIP: OK, that was pitcher Andrew Zarzour joining us this morning from his parents home in North Carolina. When we come back from the break, we’ll talk Eagles. Can Donovan McNabb get Philly’s football team over the hump? Can any of our teams win a championship?

[AZTarHeel]

Some final notes on the 2007 season in Andrew Zarzour's world:

• The Houston Astros went on to beat the Detroit Tigers in a thrilling World Series, four games to three. The Astros won the first two games in Detroit, then lost the next three at home. Keeping with the theme, Houston won two more on the road to claim the Series. Wow — seven games and no team won at home… Houston won Games Six and Seven by one run …

• Prince Fielder of San Francisco ended up with 76 home runs, breaking the single season record (can't remember if I posted that already) … The next highest was KC’s Higinio Via from Venezuela (fictional player), who finished with 54. This was Via’s second year in a row of hitting 54 … Fielder was the NL’s MVP for obvious reasons …

• Philadelphia’s Josh Johnson (20-6, 2.89 ERA during the regular season) did win the National League Cy Young Award … Johnson was 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in the playoffs, though … Bittersweet...

• Matt Holliday was Philadelphia’s offensive leader for the season, batting .330 with 45 homers — both team bests. Jorge Cantu hit .315 with 40 homers. He had a team best 115 RBIs. Cantu received Philly’s Team MVP award (my new way of using the custom award)…

• Philadelphia rookie first baseman Francisco Ramirez finished with a .302 average (52-for-172), with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs after getting called up to the Big Club in late July. His emergence moved Jorge Cantu to third base. A nice power triumvirate could be forming with those two and Matt Holliday.

• You know the drill. If anyone wants to know anything about another team or player, just let me know. I'll try to post Andrew's season and career numbers in a bit.

[Jamee999]

Was Via the AL MVP?

Keep up the excellent dynasty

[muted79]

Great to see this back.

[AZTarHeel]

Originally Posted by Jamee999

Was Via the AL MVP?

Keep up the excellent dynasty

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Zarzour contract extension talks at an impasse
“The two parties are millions of dollars apart,” one Phillies insider says

Some topics of interest as we sit around the Phillies hot stove:

• Top-flight starting pitcher Andrew Zarzour says he wants to stay with the Phillies long-term. The Phillies say they want to have Andrew Zarzour pitching for them long term.

So, what’s the problem?

Apparently several million dollars in salary, according to insiders contacted by Phillies Nation. Sources have said Zarzour's agent is looking for a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $18 million a year for his client. Z's current contract, set to run out at the end of 2008, pays him $4.4 million a season. He’s due for a big raise, but one that big?

“There’s the rub,” said one source on the condition of anonymity. “Zarzour's agent knows they probably won’t get $17 or $18 million a year. But they felt really low-balled by the Phillies’ initial offers, which were well, well below what they felt acceptable for someone of his caliber. They felt like the club was taking advantage of someone they knew had a lifetime love of the franchise and not offering him what he's due. With Baseball America pegging Zarzour as one of the top five pitchers in the league, Z's camp does have some negotiating power."

This will be an interesting negotiation to follow. The Phillies have essentially been using Money Ball tactics in recent years, shying away from big contracts for star players in favor of bringing in talented prospects. It's worked well at times, and the Phillies have managed to keep their payroll among the lowest third in the league while at the same time fielding a winner (two NLCS berths in three years).

Now, they've found some guys they really like, and who really like being here. And the team seems on the verge of breaking through for a possible World Series run. But to keep this group together for the long haul is going to take some bucks — big bucks in many cases.

If the Phillies pony up a huge deal to keep Zarzour, you can bet guys like Josh Johnson, Jorge Cantu, Matt Holliday and others will want similar money. Can the Phils keep up or will they just be satisfied with perpetually developing top-flight talent for other clubs?

This city has really been itching for a champion for quite some time. We say, pay the money to Zarzour and see what happens…

• By and large, Philadelphia fans weren’t too excited to see the team let long-time closer Jon Ratlif head to free agency. He, too, was commanding big money to stick around, and the Phillies weren’t willing to pay up for a guy in his mid-30s, his average of 35+ saves the past four seasons not withstanding.

Is that money being saved to pay for guys like Zarzour? It's unclear at this point. So, who will close in 2008? Philadelphia may go after an arm like Lance Carter in free agency to do the job. Takashi “Sammy” Saito (5-0, 6 saves, 3.11 ERA in 60 games in 2007) also could be promoted from set-up man to closer.

• If Philadelphia goes fishing on the free agent market this season, look for the team to pursue a centerfielder, a position many believe to be the last big piece of the offensive puzzle. Manager Tetsui Suzuki has hinted he wants a more prototypical centerfielder than 2007 starter Edward Vanetten — i.e. quick on the bases, great contact hitter with high on-base numbers, great glove defensively, etc.

There are some who have said the Phillies are pursuing a deal to bring in Boston CF Grady Sizemore, but would the Red Sox give up one of their stars? The return would have to be pretty rich. If the Zarzour negotiations really break down, could the Big Z be headed to Beantown in return for Sizemore? Not sure if we like that trade or not...

• Catcher may be another position where Philadelphia goes shopping this off-season. The Phillies have optioned out of the last year of backup catcher Michael Barrett's contract. That will free up $6 million plus. If Ryan Doumit isn't brought up next season from Triple A as the back-up catcher for Carlos Longoria, look for the Phils to maybe bring in a low-priced veteran.

• We’re hearing rumors that Philadelphia may make an overseas trip this coming season or possibly in the pre-season as Major League Baseball tries to expand its reach around the world. Haven't heard where yet, though. Stay tuned...