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Barry Zito
Zito on August 2, 2008
San Francisco Giants – No. 75
Starting pitcher
Born: (1978-05-13) May 13, 1978 (age 46)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
debut
July 22, 2000, for the Oakland A's
Career statistics
(through 2011 Season)
Win–loss record145–124
Earned run average3.91
Strikeouts1,683
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Barry Zito (born May 13, 1978) is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams.[1]

Zito never missed a scheduled start in his career until 2008, and led the American League in starts four times. After the 2006 season, Zito signed the most expensive contract in history for a pitcher at the time.[2] Zito is well known for the drastic difference between his pre- and post- All Star Game pitching performance, and has been one of the greatest second half pitchers in MLB history throughout his career.[3] He has also proven to be one of the greatest front running pitchers in recent memory, holding a record of 111–6 when getting at least 4 runs of support.[4]

Zito played collegiately at UC Santa Barbara, Los Angeles Pierce College, and the University of Southern California. In the 1999 draft, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics with the ninth pick of the first round.[5] Zito is known for his idiosyncrasies, and his offbeat personality. He created the charity Strikeouts for Troops which provides money to hospitals for soldiers wounded in military operations.

Early life

Barry William Zito was born on May 13, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a late-in-life baby for Roberta and Joe, a show biz couple who met and married while working for Nat King Cole in the 1960s. Joe was Cole’s conductor and arranger, Roberta, a classically trained violinist and pianist, was a singer in the star’s backup group, the Merry Young Souls.

High school and college

Zito transferred from El Cajon's Grossmont High School to University of San Diego High School, a Roman Catholic school where he earned all-league honors with an 8–4 record and 105 strikeouts in 85 innings as a senior.

He then attended UC Santa Barbara where he earned Freshman All-America Honors with 123 strikeouts in 85⅓ innings. Transferring to Los Angeles Pierce College, he posted a 2.62 ERA and went 9–2 with 135 strikeouts in 103 innings, and was named to the all-state and all-conference teams.

He then transferred to USC, where he was a first-team All-America selection by USA Today Baseball Weekly, Collegiate Baseball, and Baseball America. With a 12–3 record, a 3.28 ERA, and 154 strikeouts in 113⅔ innings, Zito was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year.[6]

While in college, Zito also played in the Cape Cod League, a summer wooden bat league which showcases the nation's top amateur prospects. He led the Wareham Gatemen to the league championship in 1997, and a runner-up finish in 1998.[7][8]

Professional career

Major League Baseball Draft

Zito was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 59th round (1,586th overall) of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft, and in the third round (83rd overall) by the Texas Rangers in 1998, but did not sign with either team. In the 1999 draft, he was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the ninth pick of the first round, and signed for a $1.59 million bonus.[5][6]

Minor leagues

In 1999, Zito began his professional career with the Visalia Rawhide, Oakland's Class-A team. He went 3–0 with a 2.45 ERA in 8 starts. He struck out 62 in 40⅓ innings. Zito was promoted to the Midland RockHounds, and went 2–1 with a 4.91 ERA to finish the AA schedule. He then got one start for the AAA Vancouver Canadians, allowing a lone run with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings.

Zito began the 2000 season in AAA with the Sacramento River Cats (the Canadians franchise was moved to Sacramento). He pitched 101⅔ innings in 18 starts, going 8–5 with a 3.19 ERA, 91 strikeouts, and 41 walks.[5][6]

Major leagues

Oakland Athletics (2000–06)

2000

Zito made his major league debut on July 22, 2000, against the Anaheim Angels. He allowed one run in five innings, and got the win.[9] In his next start, Zito went 7 innings while giving up 3 runs to the Red Sox. Zito would continue to have great success early in his rookie season. In his third career start, he went 7 innings and gave up 1 run to against the Toronto Blue Jays.On September 10, Zito pitched his first complete game shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays. Zito threw 110 pitches, struck out 8, and allowed 5 hits. During the month of September, he went 5–1 with a 1.73 ERA. Zito would finished with a 7–4 record and a 2.72 earned run average in 14 starts.

Zito made his postseason debut in Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Zito went 5.2 innings, struck out 5, walking 2, and allowing an earned run. Zito earned the win. However, the Yankees would win the series, 3-2, and would go on to win their third straight World Series.

2001

In 2001, Zito finished third in the league in strikeouts per nine innings (8.61), fourth in strikeouts (205), sixth in wins (17), eighth in ERA (3.49), and tenth in winning percentage (.680).[10] Zito became the sixth lefty aged 23 or younger since 1902 to strike out at least 200 batters in a season. After a great rookie season, Zito struggled through the early part of the 2001 season. However, Zito would rebound nicely and by August, he was putting up good pitching numbers. Zito was named Pitcher of the Month in August. He went 5–1 with a 1.02 ERA. Zito would win Pitcher of the Month again in September, going 6-0 with a 1.89 ERA. During those last 2 months of the season, Zito went 11–1 with a 1.32 ERA, best in baseball over those last 2 months.

The Athletics made the postseason and played the Yankees in the American League Division Series. Zito pitched in Game 4 against Mike Mussina and the Yankees. He went 8 innings, striking out 6, walking 1 and allowing an earned run. But Zito took the loss when the Yankees won the game, 1–0. The Yankees would end up taking the series, 3–2.

2002

In 2002, Zito became one of the best pitchers in baseball. On June 22, Zito won his tenth game of the season. It was the earliest that an A's pitcher has reached the 10-win mark since Bob Welch got there on June 15, 1990. Zito was named to the All Star team for the first time in his career. On July 18, he went 7.1 innings while giving up no runs against the Angels. That win gave Zito a team-record 16th straight win at home. Zito would again face the Angels in his next start and it porduced similar results to his last start. He went 6.1 innings and gave up just 1 run. That win gave Zito the most wins by an AL pitcher with 14. Zito would become the AL's first 15 game winner when he beat the Rangers. On August 23, Zito recorded his 18th win of the season, giving him 1 more than his previous career high of 17, in a game against the Tigers.

On August 28, Zito earned his 19th win of the season against the Kansas City Royals. However, Zito loss his bid for a perfect game in the sixth inning when Neifi Perez singled with one out. Zito would give credit to Perez. "You always know what's going on, Zito said. "I wasn't pitching to maintain some kind of no-hitter. I left the ball up the middle and Perez hit it up the middle. It was a good hit."

On September 8, Zito became the first pitcher in the American League to win 20 games when he pitched 7 innings and allowed no earned runs. I'm not pitching for the Cy Young, Zito said. I'm pitching to win as many games as we can for the team and first place. In his next start, against the Mariners, Zito took a no-hitter into the 8th inning before John Olerud signled to leadoff of the 8th inning. Seattle manager Lou Piniella said,"If I had to vote for a Cy Young winner, it would be for the young man who pitched today in Oakland."

In his last start of the season, Zito went 6 innings and allowed just a run against Texas. In his last 10 starts, Zito went 8-0, boosting his chances of winning the AL Cy Young Award. "Barry pitched a gem. He has done that all season long, said Oakland manager Art Howe. "Certainly a Cy Young-type season.

In Game 4 of the ALDS, Zito went 6 innings and gave up 3 earned runs against the Minnesota Twins. He earned the win.

Zito pitching for the A's.

Zito would go on to win the AL Cy Young Award with a 23–5 record, narrowly defeating Pedro Martínez in the voting. He led the league with 23 wins, was second in winning percentage (.821), and third in both ERA (2.75) and strikeouts (182). Zito's 23 wins was the most by an AL left-hander since Frank Viola had 24 wins for Minnesota in 1988. Zito also allowed a .185 average to opposing hitters, the lowest in the AL.[10] Martínez, who'd led the AL in ERA (2.26), strikeouts (239), and winning percentage (.833), became the first pitcher since the introduction of the award to lead his league in each of the three categories and not win the award.[11] Zito became the first A's pitcher to win the Cy Young Award since Dennis Eckersley did it in 1992. Zito was also named AL TSN Pitcher of the Year.

2003

In 2003, Zito started off with a win against the Seattle Mariners. He went 6 innings and allowed an earned run, an RBI single by John Olerud in the 1st inning. In his next start, Zito went 7 innings, struck out 7, walked 4, and allowed one run against Texas. In the process, he became only the fifth A's pitcher to win 10 straight games, the first since Bob Welch in 1990. On April 18, Zito went 9 innings, allowed 6 hits, and no runs in a start against the Rangers. Zito improved to 9–0 in his career against Texas. After the game, Texas manager Buck Showalter said,"I got the feeling he made it look pretty easy. When he has that kind of command, you can see what happens." Zito struggled in his second-to last start before the All-Star Break. He allowed 7 earned runs and 15 hits against the Rays. The 15 hits allowed were a career high. Rays manager Lou Piniella was stunned by Zito's bad start. He said,"If you'd have told me we'd get 15 hits off Zito in five or six innings, I would have looked at you a little funny." Nevertheless, Zito bounced back in his next start. He went 8 innings without surrendering a run against the Baltimore Orioles. Zito was again named to the All Star team, the second time he has been named to the team.

In 2003, Zito was seventh in the AL in ERA (3.30). He was tenth in strikeouts in 2004 (163), and fifth in 2005 (171).[10] Zito had a streak of 14 consecutive starts (and 20 out of 21) in which he gave up fewer hits than innings pitched.[12]

In Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, Zito went 7 innings, striking out 9, walking 2, and allowed 1 earned run. In Game 5, Zito went 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs. Zito was the losing pitcher. The Red Sox won the game and the series.

2004-2006 seasons

In the 2004, Zito struggled and posted his worst numbers in his career at the time. Zito went 2–3 with a 6.83 ERA in the month of April. He went 11-11 with a 4.48 earned run average. That was his only year with the Athletics that Zito's earned run average was more than 4.00.

In 2005, Zito again struggled in the month of April. He went 0–4 with a 6.60 ERA. However, Zito pitched better the rest of the season. Zito was named Pitcher of the Month in July. He went 6–0 with a 2.51 earned run average. In 35 starts, Zito went 14–13 with a 3.86 earned run average. Zito's 35 starts were the most in Major League Baseball that season and it showed his durability as a pitcher.

In 2006, Zito went 1.1 innings and allowed 7 earned runs against the New York Yankees. It was the shortest outing of his career. However, Zito quickly rebounded from that bad start. When the All Star Break rolled around, Zito was 8–6 with a 3.29 earned run average. He was named the starting pitcher for the 2006 Major League All-Star Game. The 2006 season was also Zito's last season with the Athletics. On August 25, Zito earned his 100th career win when he defeated the Texas Rangers. Zito would helped the Athletics reached the postseason. The Athletics would lose in American League Championship to the Detroit Tigers .

He threw 200 or more innings in each of his six full seasons with the A's. Zito never missed a scheduled start and led the American League in starts four times. He was named to the American League All-Star Team in 2002, 2003, and 2006.[10]

Zito replaced his agent Arn Tellem with Scott Boras in July 2006.[13] Zito was a focal point of the 2006 trade deadline, and was widely rumored to be headed to the Mets in a potential deal for prospect Lastings Milledge. A's general manager Billy Beane decided to keep him for the rest of the season.[6] Zito was offered to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Michael Bourn, Ryan Madson, and Chase Utley, but the then-GM of the Phillies Ed Wade said the price was too much and turned it down.

San Francisco Giants (2007–Present)

Following his seventh season with the A's, Zito signed a seven-year deal with the San Francisco Giants worth $126 million, plus $18 million option for 2014 with a $7 million buyout.[14] Zito's contract on December 29, 2006, became the highest for any pitcher in Major League history at the time.[14]

During spring training in 2007, he and Barry Bonds made shirts that read "Don't ask me, ask Barry" with an arrow pointing to the other Barry. By all accounts, Zito and Bonds got along well during their short time as teammates, and Zito made a point of saying he would stand by Bonds through onslaughts from the media.[15]

In his first start as a member of the Giants, Zito went 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs against the San Diego Padres. He would take the loss. In his next start, Zito struggled. He went 6 innings but allowed 8 earned runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zito would earned his first win as a member of the Giants in his next start when he went 6 innings, gave up 3 hits, and allowed no runs. "I've been trying to have a good game," Zito said. "You can't try to do anything. You either do or you don't. I tried to get too fine with my pitches. I wasn't aggressive." Rockies manager Clint Hurdle gave Zito credit by saying,"We faced a tough pitcher. We are not playing the way that we believe we can play. We have to continue to believe what we believe in, but you can't let your confidence get swayed."

On May 18, Zito made his return to Oakland as a Giant. He lasted only four innings as he gave up seven runs while walking seven, including two bases loaded walks. The A's beat the Giants, 15–3.[16] He faced his old team again on June 9, this time in San Francisco. Zito pitched four innings while giving up three earned runs on nine hits.[17]

Zito made his first Major League relief appearance on August 5 against the San Diego Padres, due to an early exit by starter Noah Lowry and an overworked bullpen. Zito pitched a scoreless seventh inning.[18] He recorded his first career RBI two days later against the Washington Nationals, in the same game that Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th career home run.[19]

After Zito's start on August 12, his ERA was 5.13.[20] Over his next four starts, he lowered his ERA to 4.46. He admitted that he had put pressure on himself to perform because of the large contract and was learning that he just needed to be himself. Zito also said that it had been difficult for him to adjust to a new league, team, and ballpark.[21] On the final day of the season, in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, Zito allowed two runs on five hits and had four strikeouts in an 11–2 win.

Zito began the 2008 season as the oldest starter and the veteran presence in the Giants' starting rotation.[22] In April, Zito went 0–6 with a 7.53 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He was the third pitcher in the last 52 years to go 0–6 before May 1.[23] On April 28, 2008, the Giants moved him to the bullpen.[24] Zito did not make an appearance out of the bullpen and returned to the rotation on May 7, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In that game, Zito allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs over 5 innings and took the loss, his 7th of the season. On May 23, 2008, Zito collected his first win of the 2008 season against the Florida Marlins. On June 13, 2008, Zito became the first pitcher to record 10 losses in the Major Leagues following the 5–1 loss to Oakland. His 5.1 walks per 9 innings pitched for the season, 51.5% first-pitch-strike percentage, and 14 sacrifice flies allowed, were all the worst in the majors.[1][2]

The 2009 season seemed to have marked a rebound in Zito's pitching performance. Though starting the season 0–2 with an ERA of 10, Zito ended the season with an ERA of 4.03. Though going only 10–13 in the season, Zito's record was much more the fault of his spotty run support (the second-lowest in the major leagues) than his performance on the mound. On June 21, 2009, Zito pitched a no hitter through 6 innings against the Texas Rangers before giving up a hit and then a home run to Andruw Jones in the 7th inning. He won the game, his fourth win of the season.[25] On July 7, 2009, Zito pitched what could be considered his best game of the season. He pitched 8⅓ innings against the Florida Marlins, allowing 1 run in 4 hits, striking out 6, and walking 1. He won the game, his fifth win of the season.[25]

Zito started the 2010 season by pitching 6 shutout innings against the Houston Astros to earn a win; it was the first time he had won his season opening start since 2003. On April 24, Zito stifled the St. Louis Cardinals, throwing 8 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts for his 3rd victory of the season, en route to starting the season 5–0 for the first time in his career. On June 12, 2010, Barry Zito earned his first win against his former team, the A's, and has now defeated every MLB team, including the Giants, his current team.

After a strong start to the season, Zito struggled down the stretch, finishing the 2010 regular season 9–14 with a 4.15 ERA. Despite being a stalwart of the starting rotation all season, he was left off the Giants' roster for the post season. Nevertheless, he won his first World Series ring as a member of the full roster.

Early in the 2011 season Zito experienced his first trip to the disabled list after an injury to his right foot during a fielding play. The injury cost him a permanent spot in San Francisco's starting rotation for the season. His replacement, Ryan Vogelsong, excelled in his role as a starting pitcher, making the All-Star team and leading San Francisco's starting pitchers in ERA. After Zito's return, the Giants had to juggle six starting pitchers on the roster. Zito was relegated to a utility role, playing when another starter needed rest or for the second game of a double-header. Zito continued to struggle after returning, posting a season record of 3–4 with an ERA approaching 6.00. On August 13th, Zito injured his right ankle on another fielding play in a Triple-A rehab start. Adding to his already injured right foot, it was announced that he would be sidelined indefinitely.[26]

Pitching style

Zito's fastball has hovered between 84–88 mph.[27] He augments it with a circle changeup and a traditional "12-to-6" curveball that he uses as a strikeout pitch. His curveball was voted the best in the Major Leagues in a player poll conducted by ESPN The Magazine. Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees once stated that he had never seen anything like Zito's curveball, commenting: "It's such a high one, and it drops three to four feet. You might as well not even look for it because you're not going to hit it." [28]

Since mid-2004, Zito has added a two-seam fastball and a slider to his arsenal. In the 2009 season, his slider became a prominent part of his repertoire, being used more frequently than his changeup. Zito's diminished velocity at the start of the 2007 season (his fastball velocity slowed to 83–85 mph) and loss of command are the key reasons for his recent struggles, as he more often got behind in the count and had to rely more on his fastball. Most recently however, his pitching performance has rebounded due to the increased velocity on his fastball and regaining control on his curveball. During the 2009 season, Zito made changes to his delivery, lowering his arm slot from an over the top angle to a three quarters delivery. This change helped his fastball velocity go back up to the 86–89 mph range as well as sharpening the break of his curveball. However, in 2011, he has only averaged in the 84-87 mph range with his fastball.

Awards

Personal life

Zito is known for his idiosyncrasies and his offbeat personality. He has earned the nicknames "Planet Zito" and "Captain Quirk".[29]

At his introductory press conference with the Giants, Zito said he liked the way his uniform number 75 looked, because the 7 and the 5 are like a "shelf" to hold the name "Zito" up. He carries pink satin pillows on the road, collects stuffed animals (such as a good luck teddy bear, with which he used to travel), and burns incense to relax.[30] Early in his career, Zito dyed his hair blue. He plays guitar, surfs, practices yoga, and follows Zen. He has done yoga poses in the outfield, and meditates before games.[31] In 2001, Zito espoused a universal life force that he credited with his midseason turnaround.[30] His mother Roberta named him after her brother Barry, a beatnik "freethinker" and acolyte of Zen who mysteriously vanished in 1964 at the age of 22 near Big Sur, California.[32]

He created the charity Strikeouts for Troops, to which he donates $400 for every strikeout he throws. The charity benefits hospitals for soldiers wounded in military operations.

His father Joe Zito composed and arranged music for Nat King Cole in the early 1960s (ca.1961–64), and arranged for the Buffalo Symphony.[33] Zito's late mother Roberta was a classically trained musician who also sang with Nat King Cole's band, in a choral group known as The Merry Young Souls.[34]

His uncle is television actor Patrick Duffy.[35] In 2003, Zito portrayed a United States Navy petty officer in an episode of JAG on CBS. Zito's character, a pitcher, faced assault charges after hitting a Marine with a ball during the annual Navy-Marine all-star baseball game.[36]

Zito is engaged to former Miss Missouri Amber Seyer, and received a marriage license at the Marin County clerk's office on November 18, 2011.[37] They were married on December 3, 2011.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barry Zito.

References

  1. ^ "Zito Player File". Retrieved September 15, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |work xx= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "San Francisco Giants". Cot's Baseball Contracts.
  3. ^ "Zito May Be the Greatest Pitcher of All Time*". The Wall Street Journal. September 2, 2009.
  4. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100919&content_id=14863228&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
  5. ^ a b c "Barry Zito Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d "Barry Zito Biography". JockBio.com.
  7. ^ "CCBL Alumni Year Drafted". Cape Cod Baseball.
  8. ^ "CCBL Champions: Arnold Mycock Award". Cape Cod Baseball.
  9. ^ "Barry Zito 2000 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.
  10. ^ a b c d "Barry Zito Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  11. ^ "Pedro Martinez Statistics". Baseball-Reference.
  12. ^ "Barry Zito 2005 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.
  13. ^ Heyman, Jon (July 8, 2006). "Zito drops agent Tellem for Boras". Sports Illustrated.
  14. ^ a b "Zito passes physical, making $126 million deal official". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 30, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  15. ^ Zito, Barry (May 24, 2007). "Let Barry be Barry". ESPN The Magazine.
  16. ^ Haft, Chris (May 19, 2007). "Zito battered in return to Oakland". MLB.com.
  17. ^ Eymer, Rick (June 9, 2007). "Giants shut out by Athletics". MLB.com.
  18. ^ Haft, Chris (August 5, 2007). "Lowry hurt, Zito has relief outing in loss". MLB.com. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  19. ^ Haft, Chris (August 8, 2007). "Bonds' 756th comes in loss to Nats". MLB.com.
  20. ^ "Barry Zito 2007 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  21. ^ Shea, John (September 3, 2007). "By being himself, Zito is again Zito". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  22. ^ Burden's on Giants' youthful starters Rotation appears to be strength of otherwise weak team
  23. ^ Shea, John (April 27, 2008). "Zito Zapped Again". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
  24. ^ Haft, Chris (April 28, 2008). "Zito to work things out in bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
  25. ^ a b Fantasy Baseball News
  26. ^ "Barry Zito sprains ankle in rehab start". ESPN. August 14, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  27. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (March 26, 2007). "Baseball's obsession with the fastball". ESPN.com.
  28. ^ "Video". CNN. October 3, 2005.
  29. ^ Weiner, Richard (October 3, 2002). "Pitching the Zen of Zito". USA Today.
  30. ^ a b "10 Burning Questions for... Barry Zito". ESPN.com.
  31. ^ Price, Jay (December 6, 2006). "For Zito, it's dollars vs. sense". Staten Island Advance.
  32. ^ Horowitz, Mitch (September 2003). "Barry's Way". Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  33. ^ Moriarity, W.C. "Slingin' it with Barry Zito". ChinMusic!.
  34. ^ Bolda, Velia (November 25, 2002). "Ben Folds' stop in Milwaukee engages audience". OnMilwaukee.com.
  35. ^ Arizona Diamondbacks broadcast of September 19, 2007 game againstSan Francisco Giants. KTVK 3TV.
  36. ^ "Barry Zito's IMDB page".
  37. ^ "Barry Zito getting hitched date=November 30, 2011". {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
Preceded by American League Pitcher of the Month
August 2001-September 2001
July 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American League Wins Champion
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American League Cy Young Award
2002 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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