Barry Zito
From BR Bullpen
Barry William Zito
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 4", Weight 205 lb.
- School University of California, Santa Barbara, Pierce College, University of Southern California
- High School University City High School (San Diego)
- Debut July 22, 2000
- Born May 13, 1978 in Las Vegas, NV USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Barry Zito was a star left-handed starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, where he spent his major league career, up through 2006. However, he signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent after the 2006 season. Through 2006, he had a lifetime winning percentage of .618, but his performance went down after he switched teams.
He started his college career at UC-Santa Barbara before transferring to LA's Pierce College so he could be draft eligible a year sooner. He decided to instead play one more year of college ball after Pierce and transferred to USC.
Zito made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2000. He became a two time All-Star, and won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award, compiling a record of 23-5. He was the only member of Oakland's Big Three to win the award.
Zito is known for his laid-back demeanor and love of guitar playing and surfing as much as he is for his nasty curveball. He made his acting debut in 2003, guest starring on an episode of the TV show "JAG". For a time, he dated actress Alyssa Milano.
After signing as a free agent with San Francisco before the 2007 season, Zito was the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. Johan Santana surpassed him in 2008 when he signed a contract extension with the New York Mets.
After posting a disappointing 11-13 record with a 4.53 ERA with San Francisco in 2007, Zito began 2008 with a 0-6, 7.53 record. He was only the third pitcher since 1956 to go 0-6 before May, following Dave Stewart (1984) and Mike Maroth (2003). The Giants announced they were moving Zito to the bullpen for a time, but then turned around and gave him another start on May 7, which he lost to fall to 0-7. He became the first Giants pitcher since Bill Clarkson in 1927 to lose his first 7 starts. When Zito, whose team scored just 9 runs in those 7 starts, was asked how he dealt with such a poor record, he replied "I don't deal with it. It's out of my control." After a no-decision and an 8th loss, Zito finally won in his 10th start of the season, going 6 1/3 innings in an 8-2 win vs. the Marlins.
[edit] Sources
Sources include MLB.com
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time AL All-Star (2002, 2003 & 2006)
- AL Cy Young Award Winner (2002)
- AL Wins Leader (2002)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (2001, 2002 & 2006)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (2002)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 6 (2001-2006)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2001)
| AL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| Roger Clemens | Barry Zito | Roy Halladay |
