Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 lbs. Bats: Left Throws: Left Pos: SP
Born: May 13,
1978, Las Vegas, NV, United States Full Name: Barry William Zito College: USC Experience: 5 years 2004 Salary: $3,000,000 Pronounced: ZEE-toe
Of the Oakland Athletics'
"Big Three" pitchers, Barry Zito is the finest. The
youngest of the group, which includes Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder,
Barry alone has a Cy Young Award to his credit, edging out Pedro
Martinez for the 2002 AL trophy. Barry's freewheeling,
devil-may-care attitude has made him a star, but his incredible
curveball is a big part of what makes him a success in MLB. His
offbeat persona and pitching prowess draws comparisons to David
Wells, though Zito's career holds more promise than Boomer's,
perfect game notwithstanding.
Music runs deeply in the Zito family. Barry's
dad composed and arranged for Nat Cole for 15 years, his mother
was a singer and Barry's sister, Sally Zito, is an up-and-coming
singer/songwriter. Barry himself plays guitar and has been known
to heckle fellow teamates with songs in the locker room.